In 1994 NBA MVP Hakeem Olajuwon released a $35 sneaker instead of endorsing shoes from Nike or Reebo

The Dream was a profound man.

 

And now he sells overpriced men's wear

 

And scams NBA players by teaching them things that can't be taught?

 

I too read reddit sometimes

 

Thanks Tinman.

 

hell yeah man. I got a pair because they were basketball sneakers I could actually afford. didn't look as cool as Jordan's or chucks, but

1) I got a pass because I was in Houston (Holland middle school represent) and
2) no one was going to jack me for some Olajuwon 34's.

 

OK.

But why do they have to buy Nikes and Reeboks? I am sure you can buy three pairs of cheap shoes that cost $120 or so.

 

Unfortunately, it's about the brand, not the endorser. There were other basketball sneakers around back then for a cheap price, but kids want the big brands, not Spalding. You still had a kid here and there grab Dream's shoes, but I can't recall kids, who usually had higher priced sneakers, ever downgrading to Spalding. I think it just gave kids, who were going to get cheap shoes anyway, an option to be prouder of. That's still a great thing, of course.

 

Patrick Ewing did something Similar with Spalding that year too.

 

A Spalding logo and a #34 on the side of the head doesn't count.

 

Nice gesture.

 

Yeah, and he finished his career in Toronto with Nike.

 

I bought several pairs and played in them! To be honest, they were kind of heavy and slowed me down a bit. Always curious whether he wore these in his later years and whether it affected his play.

 

Hakeem was a nightmare for some corporates , i remember him demanding Steve Francis to sell his corvette and. Buy a safe car for his safety and future wealth sustainability, Steve did that and bought a Mercedes

 

I had two pairs. My favorite shoes. I still have the box.

 

You were a kid once. You never got the least bit jelly when the kids around you had cooler stuff than you did, causing you to want those things too?

 

I wouldnt mind copping a pair of them 34's

 

He sells 250 dollar sneakers now.

However I think you get what you pay for. I know nikes are over priced, but you can tell the difference between a good pair of shoes and 40 dollar shoes.