Smaller Sneaker Brands Shine in Lakers-Warriors Series

Lakers and Warriors players are giving minor sneaker brands exposure in the NBA Playoffs.

Every night of the NBA Playoffs is big business for the league, its sponsors, and sneaker companies. Much to the liking of the aforementioned stakeholders, the Western Conference Semifinals series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors was extended to six games last night.

Throughout the series, there has been plenty of footwear to take in between the superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, as well as the celebrities sitting courtside. However, smaller brands that most fans have never heard of are getting plenty of time in the global spotlight.

Not counting James and Curry, there are five players in the series with their own signature sneaker. Chalk it up to playing for one of the two most important franchises in the league that happens to sit on the west coast. Below is a complete breakdown of the lesser-known sneakers from the Lakers-Warriors series.

Klay Thompson

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Klay Thompson does not get the same level of love that his splash brother Stephen Curry receives when it comes to endorsements. However, Thompson has quietly built an impressive signature sneaker line with Anta.

Throughout this series, Thompson has worn his eighth signature model - the Anta KT8. Fans can purchase the shoes on the Anta website for $180 in adult sizes. Unfortunately, the Chinese Brand does not produce size 13 sneakers and above.

Andrew Wiggins

© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

There probably is no player in the league with a stranger sneaker journey than Andrew Wiggins. Just as Wiggins has starred for different teams, he has also been the face of multiple sneaker brands.

Currently, Wiggins is wearing his first signature model with the Chinese sneaker brand PEAK. Wiggins has worn the PEAK AW1 in various colorways, some of which are available in limited sizes online. The prices range from $173 to a jaw-dropping $476.

Draymond Green

© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Converse is hardly an unknown player in the sneaker industry. Before falling on tough times, the American brand ruled the basketball world. After exiting the performance shoe market, Converse has made a modest comeback by signing a few notable NBA players.

Draymond Green headlined the brand's resurgence by wearing what was presumably his first signature model. However, Green has since fallen back into wearing player-exclusive colorways of the Converse BB Jet. So is he a signature athlete? Kind of?

D'Angelo Russell

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell started his career with Nike. During his first stint in Los Angeles, the rookie wore models from the signature lines of Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving, and Paul George.

However, Russell signed with Dwayne Wade's brand, Way of Wade, in 2019. The brand is part of the Li-Ning umbrella. Throughout this year, Russell has worn the Way of Wade 10 (pictured above) as well as the DLO Ice. 

Austin Reaves

© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Whether you call him "Hillbilly Kobe" or "AR-15," there is no denying the emergence of Austin Reaves. The unassuming star has become an integral part of the Lakers rotation and has been rewarded with a signature sneaker.

In April, we learned that Reaves' first signature sneaker, the Rigorer AR-1, is launching later this summer. Rigorer is a Chinese brand that appears to be building its social media presence around Reaves. 

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