Loud, Eccentric, Brash, colorful, colorful language, quiet, reserved, let’s his game do the talking, champion, lost in the finals, hasn’t been to the finals yet, *designed signature sneakers, designed signature sneakers worn in the finals, has designed (and currently designs) for a champion. Grabbed a whole lotta Rebounds, was known for getting rebounds too, rebounding is part of his game, scoring and defending while looking smooth is more of his claim to fame, and the Playoffs…, ironically one guy here has designed signature product/ products inspired by there previous digs, mashed some together or a part of or close to the team that designed for the other.
If you haven’t guessed it these reviews are on signature sneakers and modern designs of signature designs worn by Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley, & Paul George and Nike Designer Jason Pietre for his modern versions or Rodman and Barkley Signatures, mash ups, remixes and other signature Basketball designs that preceded the Paul George Nike Signature line design lead by Tony Hartman.
So let’s get Started: Dennis Rodman: different. While his outfits, hair and lifestyle fit many of the words described earlier, in person he seemed quiet, calm and perceptive, a stark contrast from what we saw throughout his NBA career. Just as unique as he was on and off the court his sneaker fit the bill. From his time in Detroit Rodman was a pest for the opposing team on the glass he was dominant, on the perimeter he was picking your pocket and deflecting passes, in the paint he was harassing you mentally, physically and maybe emotionally. From Reebok, to Nike and Converse The Worms Sneaker game was as unique as his personality.
First up for me was a pair of Darwin lite a lighter retro alternate of the Nike Air Darwin an early Durable Sneaker promoted my Rodman and his first unofficial Signature sneaker with Nike. This version of the Darwin that I had was very similar to the original Darwin except the heel air unit was encapsulated instead visible and the rubber wrapping the front of show was lower with less stitching than the original. The upper, midsole & outsole design was largely the same. The Darwin lite released in the early 2000’s as a park with colorways and merch (tees & connecting to historic Basketball parks and gyms in the U.S. Venice Beach, CA, St. Cecilia’s in Michigan, Dyckman 155th Rucker Park, and my current personal favorite the Cage West 4th were I would later earn a nickname for myself decades later.
The Darwin lite low:
Cushioning: 7/10
No zoom, but full length phylon midsole with large volume air unit in the heel. The Original Darwin released in 1994 had a polyurethane midsole more dense, but this version got the job done. I was a lighter guard and these white & silver low tops got the job done as I worked on my game and worked to get better in those spring and summer months
Traction 9/10
The Darwin & Darwin lite share the same chaotic and aggressive outsole pattern that works well indoors, but was made for the asphalt. a super aggressive rotated Herringbone pattern with sharp edges, deep grooves, plenty of spacing and a basketball for the pivot point it just worked. Whether I was on the perimeter or in the paints (guards have to grab boards too lol) the traction on the outsole got me were I wanted to be with no loss of grip or sliding for the duration.
Comfort. 8/10
Some pairs of the Original Darwin featured Canvas and leather uppers, the canvas on the originals was either coated and/made of a really strong material because it is on the outer overlay. The Darwin lites featured either a combination of full grain leather and nubuck or full grain, synthetic and/or synthetic leather. I’m to sure which leather was used on my low tops, but they was soft, lightweight, breathable and durable. The Darwin lites featured either low featured a simple breathable lining while the mid foot, forefoot and tongue featured large perms to keep my puppies cool in the summer heat. The Darwin lites featured either as feature a stiff tpu shank in the midfoot that protect my young arches and allowed to drive and attack the basket a little more aggressive during those runs and practices.
I have yet to see the Darwin lites retro again. The Darwin mids in original form have returned a couple of times and the Original low tops have been reissued mostly as Sumpreme collabs. The reverse swoosh started by Rodman and the Darwin and carried through the N’destruckt Series and Nike basketball has become popular with Travis Scott Cactus Jack collabs. Sometimes it’s good to be different and have your own style. It takes some courage to not be a follower and and to march at the beat of your own drum, but before you know it you’ve become a trendsetter. For some even an icon.
Tagging in Designer Jason Petrie he has designed some modern interpretations of the Air Darwin like the Air Max Darwin 360, Nike Air Barwin (An revised are Darwin withe some Barkley influences shared with some of the Barkley inspired designs for Amare Stoudemire at the the the. The Air Barwin used the same Barkley inspired soles found on the Amare worn Air Force one Max Stat and updated version of the Air Force max CB originally worn by sir Charles. A whole lotta overlap withers popular forwards. Onto the next review.
Sometimes you just have to evolve. Just like the Air max 180 shake evolve a 2012 update of the Popular Rodman signature sneaker Shake N’destrukt from the popular and rugged N’destrukt series lead by Rodman and others like Alonzo Mourning. Tougher, durable and made to handle the abuse of outdoor basketball. Others include the Rattle, Roll, and worm N’destrukt all worn or endorsed by Rodman.
The original Shake was like a tougher, beefed Air Jordan with just enough quirks to keep it interesting. Some pairs featured full grain leather, nubuck, patent leather, durabuck, ballistic Canvas or some combination of them. The outsole was just as sharp and aggressive as the Darwin. The midsole house a large volume visible heel air unit with a thick PU sole for impacts. Asymmetrical lacing with a medial strap really set these off with the large swoosh across the ribbed lace cover and bubbled “air” branding on the heel. Funky, fresh, eccentric, unique, different.
Fast forward with another update from Designer JP and we have an update in the Air make 180 shake evolve. The upper is very much the same with lacing, wrapped upper, strap and mudguard, this time using more materials that fit the Nike Sportswear category than 90’s asphalt these sneakers wear made to turn heads especially in the grey/charcoal/white/volt colorway. The volt really pops off with this color blocking the the reflective material is a nice touch. JP carried over the 180 “pork chop air bag first introduced into the Lebron 8 P.S. and later used in the Lebron 9, Lebron 9 elite and what would become the Nike air Penny 5 (also out of Nike sportswear). A thick phylon midsole replaces the PU of the original. Traction is supported a slightly less chaotic, but just as aggressive herringbone outsole with thick grooves that can grip out door courts.
The Nike Air max Shake evolve 180 seems like more of a lifestyle play than an outdoor juggernaut like it’s predecessor especially given choice of materials, soft felt nubuck on the overlay and the 3m reflective mesh like upper would never last out doors and that 180 bag is way too vulnerable with proper foam housing the unit like the original. While these are better suited for the hardwood, there are/were way too many great performance basketball kicks that blew these out of the water. Compared to its rugged predecessor this version is soft.
Luckily they’re comfortable especially with the softer phylon midsole and plush insole. Buy it you want to connect to the style of the original with a lifestyle twist for casual wear and the occasional indoor game or two. Forget about it you’re for a comparable modern successor to the original, this ain’t it, luckily there many great Performers that are on sale or offer better performance and a better price. To each his own, buy what you like. Onto the next.
The Round Mound of Rebound keeps inspiring even if he wasn’t a role model. He wasn’t a role player either from his time in Philly to his MVP and Finals appearance in Phoenix and his last runs in Houston Chuck was unapologetically himself, like Rodman he was a 1 of 1. He made many sneakers popular with his playing style just as much as his personality. From the Air Force Series (2, Alpha. 180, Air Force Max, Air Force Max CB), to his own signature line ( Air Max 2 CB 94, Nike Air CB 34, Nike Air Max CB 34, Nike Air Super CB, Nike CB 4, Nike Air CB4 II) and others like the tuned force Max. He even sported the Air Jordan 14 (Candy Canes) does his last run with the Rockets.
Bonus: Can't Forget about the Mash ups and Posites!
Zoom Sharkley (Rodman Shake N'destruckt + Barkley Air Max 2 CB 94 By JP)
Zoom Shakalaid (Sharkley + Air Raid)
Air Alphalution: Air Alpha force update with visible heel zoom
Barkley Posite
Chuck Posite
Enter Paul George:
Paul George is always striving to be better, always pushing to do more. The ultimate two-way player, PG is as relentless on defense as he is on offense. To be dominant at both ends of the court he needs to be comfortable no matter what direction he’s playing in. Designed with Nike’s innovative React Foam technology, the PG 6 gives George the cushioning he needs to last all four quarters. Lightweight and responsive, it’s the perfect shoe for anyone determined to raise their game.
PG 1: unlocked forefoot Zoom, flywire strap. Low cut. Inspired by his love for Fishing
PG 2: unlocked forefoot Zoom, alternate forefoot support. Low cut. Reverse Swoosh
PG 2.5: unlocked forefoot Zoom, alternate strap. Low cut. Reverse Swoosh
PG 3: unlocked forefoot Zoom, alternate forefoot support. Low cut. alternate collar shape
PG 4: full length top loaded dot welded air unit, mesh upper with support webbing/straps and lace up micro mesh outer shell/collar, Fuse forfeit support. Low cut.
PG 6: Mesh/textile upper with synthetic forefoot toe cap and integrated mid foot support piece. React Midsole.
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