The 2015-16 NBA Season Sneaker Awards

SI Staff | May 23, 2016

The 2015-16 NBA Season Sneaker Awards

Most Valuable Sneakerhead: PJ Tucker

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The Phoenix Suns forward is a bonafide sneakerhead who has gained Internet fame for wearing non-traditional performance models such as Nike Air Yeezy’s and Don C Air Jordan 2’s. In other words he is a hypebeast. Tucker also paid homage to Kobe Bryant and former Suns players throughout the season, wearing various Kobe and Air Jordan player edition kicks. While he is not one of the biggest names in the game, he is one of the most respected sneakerheads in the league today. — Most notable sneakers: Air Jordan 12 Public School (pictured), Don C Air Jordan 2 Retro “Beach”, Air Jordan 5 Retro Shawn Mario PE, Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Zen Grey” and Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Red October”

Innovator of the Year: Stephen Curry

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The two-time reigning MVP has already proven to be a phenomenon on the court, but what Curry is doing off the court is pretty magnificent. As the face of Under Armour’s basketball division, Curry has become one of the most marketable athletes in the world. With two signature sneakers under his belt, Curry is reportedly on pace to surpass the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Durant in sneaker sales. — Most notable sneakers: Under Armour Curry Two “Iron Sharpens Iron”, Under Armour Curry Two “Northern Lights”, Under Armour Curry Two “Haight Street” (pictured), Under Armour Curry Two “Surprise Party”, Under Armour Curry 2.5

Lifetime Achievement Award: Kobe Bryant

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When Kobe Bryant signed to Nike in 2003, the two established a relationship that will last a lifetime. The Swoosh went all out for Bryant in his final season. It was perhaps the longest goodbye in the history of sports, but Bryant left the game on top with a 60-point performance in a very special pair of Kobe 11’s for “Mamba Day.” Nike will continue to move forward with Bryant’s line post-retirement, with some of his previous models getting the retro treatment. — Most notable sneakers: Nike Kobe 10 Elite “Opening Night”, Nike Kobe 11 “All-Star”, Nike Kobe 11 “Purple/Yellow” PE, Nike Kobe 11 “Mamba Day” (pictured)

The Michael Jordan Legacy Award: LeBron James

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There is no secret that LeBron James wants to become the first active billionaire athlete. In December, James signed a lifetime contract with Nike that is reported to be the largest single athlete endorsement deal in the brand's history. While Michael Jordan is a Nike lifer, LeBron is the first to ink this kind of deal with the brand. James played in his 13th signature model with the Swoosh this season and probably wore the most colorways of any signature athlete in history. — Most notable sneakers: Nike LeBron 13 “All-Star”, Nike LeBron 2 “Triple Double” PE, Nike LeBron 13 “Black/Gold” PE (pictured), Nike LeBron 13 Elite “Red”

Rookie of the Year: D’Angelo Russell

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While his credibility took a hit with the Nick Young ordeal, the rookie did not disappoint when it came to footwear on the court. Russell spent the season rocking various Nike models, including a handful of Kobe PE’s. The Swoosh also featured him in their “Gear up for Greatness” campaign along with a couple of posters in Los Angeles. As the future of the Lakers, Russell has the potential to be a star, and maybe a signature athlete one day. — Most notable sneakers: Nike Kobe 4 Prelude (pictured), Nike Kobe 10 White/Purple, Nike Air Max Uptempo “Lakers” and Nike LeBron Solider 9

Most Improved: Zach LaVine

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While his teammate Andrew Wiggins has signature athlete potential with Adidas, LaVine made a name for himself by rocking Air Jordan retro models throughout the season and cool Nike Hyperdunk 2015 Low in his dunk contest win. This upcoming season is going to be a pivotal year for the Timberwolves, and we expect LaVine to play a huge part. — Most notable sneakers: Air Jordan 3 Retro “True Blue”, Air Jordan 9 Retro “Photo Blue”, Air Jordan 17 Retro “College Blue”, and Nike Hyperdunk 2015 Low “Dunk Contest” PE (pictured)

Acquisition of the Year: James Harden

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Adidas made a huge splash in the sneaker free-agency period by signing James Harden to a reported 13-year, $200 million deal. After losing ground in the U.S. basketball market, Adidas decided to revamp their marketing strategy, gearing it toward bringing in more high-profiled athletes such as Harden. The Beard spent the season wearing several colorways of the adidas Crazylight Boost 2015 and has a signature sneaker on the way. — Most notable sneakers: adidas Crazylight Boost 2015 “All-White” PE, adidas Crazylight Boost 2015 “Clutch City” PE, adidas Crazylight Boost 2.5 “All-Star” (pictured), adidas Crazylight Boost 2.5 “Cargo” PE, and adidas “The Kobe”.

Free Agent of the Year: John Wall

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Prior to the season John Wall decided not to renew his contract with Adidas. He spent the season wearing various Nike and Air Jordan models while auditioning for his next shoe contract. He can sign a new deal this upcoming Summer. — Most notable sneakers: Air Jordan Retro 12 “French Blue”, “Air Jordan 17 retro “Copper” (pictured), Jumpman Team 2 “White/Navy”, and Nike Kobe X.

Comeback Player of the Year: Dwyane Wade

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Dwyane Wade is a sneaker journeyman who has made stops at Converse, Jordan Brand and now Chinese brand Li Ning. Wade’s fourth signature sneaker with Li Ning “Way of Wade 4” has found popular success despite a limited release in the United States. More players, such as Klay Thompson, are opting to secure sneakers deals with Chinese brands like Anta and Peak. — Most notable sneakers: WoW 4 “Birthday, WoW 4 “Filthy Grey”, WoW 4 “Christmas”, and WoW 4 “Lucky 13” (pictured)

All-First Team: Nick Young

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Nick Young made his adidas debut in a way only Nick Young could, by wearing a pair of adidas Yeezy 750 Boost on the court. Throughout the season, Swaggy P donned past adidas models worn by players such as Gilbert Arenas and former adidas athlete Kobe Bryant. — Most Notable Sneakers: adidas Yeezy 750 Boost (pictured), adidas TS lightswitch Gil 'Gilwood', adidas TS Lightswitch Gil 'Vote for Gilbert', and adidas Crazy 8 II 'Power Purple' editions.

All-First Team: Kyrie Irving

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Kyrie Irving kicked off the NBA season with his second signature sneaker with Nike. The Kyrie 2’s came with a lot of fun colorways that follows Irving’s journey throughout his career. Irving is beloved by the younger demographic and his sneakers have been a great success thus far. — Notable sneakers: Nike Kyrie 2 “Green Glow” (pictured), Nike Kyrie 2 “Christmas”. Nike Kyrie 2 “BHM”, Nike Kyrie 2 “Bruce Lee” PE

Best Signature Sneaker Duo: Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant

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Russell Westbrook (Jordan Brand) and Kevin Durant (Nike) are without a doubt the best signature sneaker duo in the NBA. Westbrook is the heir apparent in the Air Jordan line and has worn the Air Jordan XX9’s and Air Jordan XXX’s throughout the season. The Jordan Brand also gave Westbrook his own signature lifestyle model the “Jordan Westbrook 0”. Durant continued his long relationship with Nike with a reported $300 million deal. Durant wore various colorways of his Nike KD 8 sneakers, along with introducing the Nike KD 8 Elite and Nike KD 9 models. — Most notable sneakers: Air Jordan 3 Retro “Navy/ White” PE, Air Jordan XX9 “Orange/ White" PE, Air Jordan XXX “Galaxy” PE (left), Air Jordan XXX “Photo Blue” PE, Nike KD 8 “All-Star” (right), Nike KD 8 “Blackout”, and Nike KD 8 “Road Game”