words by Nick DePaula

After stressing team and brotherhood throughout the regular season and building from the success of the TS Litespeed and TS Pro Model, this weekend adidas launched their latest TS offerings on the feet of four of their greatest assets in the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Rather than have players of all positions wear one individual shoe as they did with the TS Litespeed, this time there are two models being worn, one for guards and forwards, the other for power players and centers.

Tracy McGrady (Houston Rockets) and Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons) showcased the TS Creator, while both Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics) and Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) debuted the TS Commander, all in jersey specific colorways and with each player’s signature along the heel of their shoe. Both Commander wearers came away with a win this weekend, while McGrady and Billups will have to regroup and hope for better Game 2 showings.

Similar to the TS Pro Model, the Creator and Commander feature adidas’ Select System, which allows the wearer to select between two insoles: Select Cushion, upgraded with adiprene+ inserts for added response, and Select Clima, full of perforations for greater breathability. The sculpted sockliner is also entirely removable for those who rely on a personalized orthotic.

The Creator, aimed at guards and swift forwards, implements the familiar three stripes along the upper as a forefoot support overlay integrated into the outrigger. The shoe is also treated with a modified return of Formotion at the heel, which aims to provide low-to-the-ground court feel as well as improved transition. Unlike Formotion’s original podular configuration first seen in the Gil-Zero and TMac6, a singular piece of the working system can be found on the medial side of the heel.

The Commander offers a rubberized herringbone patterned ankle strap to support those with larger frames hitting the hardwood, and also features a wider base for the big man. The version worn by KG in the trouncing of the Hawks earlier this evening also features a gradient fade along the upper — pretty hot. Both the Commander and Creator share an abstract flowing pattern along the midfoot — a nice added design detail.

For now, it appears Gilbert Arenas will be sticking to his TS Lightswitch Lows, and he better wear two or three different pairs each game if he plans on actually wearing all of the colorways he originally was slated to break out this season. Agent Zero will be wearing the TS Creator, in a low top, next season, unless of course he surprises us tomorrow night in Game 2.

Gilbert Arenas - TS Creator Low

Tracy McGrady - TS Creator Mid

Chauncey Billups - TS Creator Mid

Dwight Howard - TS Commander

Kevin Garnett - TS Commander

adidas TS Commander (Garnett Away Version)

(Photos courtesy ‘77KHAM77′ and YahooSports)

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