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Nice Kicks: Throughout the past few years, we’ve seen the Kicks On Court race grow exponentially, and I feel that you’ve had a great impact on that. Do you view yourself as a trendsetter of players consciously making an effort to make statements with their shoes on court?
Nick Young: Of course. I definitely feel like that. I think I am very impactful in regards to that, and I set the trend for this new sneaker thing in the NBA. I don’t get a lot of credit for that, but it’s true. But the thing I want people to know most is that this comes natural for me. I wasn’t looking to start anything new. I’ve actually always been into trying different shoes out on the court, for my own excitement, for a while now. That’s just me. But you know, I credit you as well for this craze with the Kicks On Court show and daily coverage. You guys made it a thing, and you can see players really trying to flaunt their stuff because of Kicks On Court, which is crazy.
Nice Kicks: How has more players getting involved affected you?
Nick Young: You know, it’s really hard now to get whatever I want to wear on court because everyone is going for the hottest stuff. Like I said, it’s a thing now. It went from players that I know in the league looking for shoes to wear off the court to now players that I know looking for shoes to specifically wear on court.
Nice Kicks: Is there anything you don’t like about it?
Nick Young: No, not at all. I love seeing it, and I don’t think it will ever die. As long as the brands keeping making hot shoes, this will continue on. I’m always checking out what people are wearing on court. But I do hate – and hate is a strong word – when players, that I know are into shoes, just keep them in their closet to collect dust. I have a lot of friends who do that. They’re just shoes to me, so I wear them on court. I don’t care if they get messed up, and that’s how I’ve always been. I like to shine in my shoes, and I get a kick out of bringing fresh, new stuff to the court. Like with the Supreme Foams, I just stumbled upon those. My “shoe keeper” surprised me with those one morning, and I just knew that I was going to kill the game with those on court.
Nice Kicks: Besides yourself, who else would you say impacted this craze?
Nick Young: Gilbert Arenas changed some things as well. The man was wearing everything during that couple of years when he didn’t have a shoe deal. Everyone, including myself, was shocked when he wore the Dolce & Gabbana sneakers on court.
Nice Kicks: Definitely. So without giving everything away, what can we expect from you this season, shoe-wise?
Nick Young: I’ve been on the hunt for some Rasheed Wallace Air Force 1s, so be on the lookout for me in those at some point this season. I also picked up a few yellow-accented Jordans and a few Cleveland LeBrons that have some gold hints. Oh, and I hollered at my man A.C. Green about some old Nikes that he wore back in the day, but I can’t give all of my surprises away [laughs].
