words & images // Zack Schlemmer
Kicks on Cards is back with another Weekly Collection, this time featuring one of the most obscure signature lines in basketball ever, Xavier "X-Man" McDaniel's Xanthus series. X-Man's signature line ran from roughly 1991 to 1994 and is a nice little piece of sneaker history. He actually had a signature sneaker even earlier in his career with Saucony, but the small Xanthus brand sponsoring him seems like a no brainer. Add to that the trend in the early 90's of "X" adorned clothing from Cross-Colors and the popularity of Spike Lee's Malcom X film, and you had a match made in heaven. Xavier McDaniel was drafted in 1985 and grew notorious for his physicality on the court while playing for the Seattle Sonics and New York Knicks. Here we see him with the Celtics in one of his later models which appears to have crossing straps à la the Air Jordan XIII or Air Raid.
Next up this week is another signature shoe from an unlikely brand - Karl Malone in one of his LA Gear models. Of all NBA players sponsored by LA Gear, Malone stuck with them the longest and on this card we see one of his later models. We'll finish up the week with three shoes that are a little more recognizable: Kendall Gill in the Air Jordan IX, Todd Lichti in the Nike Air Flight Lite II (more notably worn as Scottie Pippen's Dream Team shoe in the '92 Olympics) and "The Rifleman" Chuck Person in the Nike Air Revolution.
Have a favorite sighting this week? Do you remember X-Man's sneaker line? Ever have a pair? Please share in the comments below!
Xavier McDaniel -- Xanthus
Karl Malone -- LA Gear
Kendall Gill -- Air Jordan IX
Todd Lichti -- Nike Air Flight Lite II
Chuck Person -- Nike Air Revolution
