Devin Booker Confirms Issues With Nike Book 1 Launch

Devin Booker commented on how Nike fumbled the launch of his first signature sneaker.

Every time a new basketball shoe is introduced, it is met with ridicule and jokes on social media. It never fails. But the first signature sneaker of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has been especially polarizing, and the rollout has been rocky at best. 

Rapper Drake debuted Booker's first Nike sneaker, the Nike Book 1, during a concert in Arizona last September. Unable to capitalize on the moment, Booker opted to wear Converse sneakers to NBA Media Day later that month. Fast forward a few months, and the "launch" of the Nike Book 1 was limited to just 500 pairs at Art Basel in Miami, Florida.

Those issues are just with the marketing of the highly anticipated hoop shoe. Many athletes and fans are taking exception to the design of the performance basketball shoe. The Nike Book 1 is clearly aimed at being lifestyle-friendly (an almost impossible task by today's fashion standards) and has mostly been limited to familiar colorways inspired by other iconic sneakers.

Screenshot of Devin Booker's Instagram comment / @MatthewJWelty

Earlier today, Complex Sneakers shared a clip from the most recent episode of The Complex Sneakers Show podcast, where the hosts discussed the issues with the first installment of Booker's signature sneaker line.

The first image on the Instagram post is a picture of Booker's sneaker with the question, is Nike fumbling the D Book 1 launch? Booker quickly commented on the post and said, "A lot of people feel the same way," with a tear emoji and tagged the co-host Matthew Welty.

It is unclear if Booker is commenting on Nike's marketing approach, the design of the sneaker, or both. However, he has left other comments in the replies to fans chiming in on his footwear. 

Either way, it confirms that Booker is aware of the issues dogging his first signature sneaker, which has not truly been launched yet. The Nike Book 1 is scheduled to be released in more colorways throughout 2024. Stay locked into FanNationKicks.com for all your sneaker news from the sports world.

Update

It did not take long for the drama to take another turn on Saturday night. NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal entered the Instagram comment section and made a recruiting pitch for Booker to leave Nike for Reebok. You can read the full story here.

The Nike Book 1 Continues to Pay Tribute to Classic Sneakers