SOLE COLLECTOR: Sneakers

words_Nick DePaula

It looks like it’s time for NBA players to shelve the summer partying, unless of course you’re Mike Beasley (in South Beach no less), as NBA teams opened up their grueling training camps last week. Whether veterans mailed it in from the jump (I see you Sheed!) or college has-beens battled it out in hopes of latching on to that last available roster spot, it’s the NBA Training Camp that kicks everyone’s ass back into gear just as the season is nearing its start.

Training Camp also represents a first look at the sneakers that several guys plan to start the year in, as well as a look at newly Striped guys like Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose and the rest of this year’s rookie class. We’ll start with a look at the Celtics, Blazers, Grizzlies and Timberwolves, with several more teams in the coming days. I’m as excited as anyone for the season to kick off, and we’ll be keeping you updated every week throughout the year with a Sneaker Watch of what’s being worn on-court. Happy Basketball New Year everyone!

Glen Davis rocks some TB Nike Hyperdunks while Brian Scalabrine relies on some old freebies in the Shox Elevate and proves he still knows nothing about defensive positioning.

Sam Cassell rocks his PE Hyperdunks, Paul Pierce breaks out his (Kids exclusive) Air Max Pierce V and The Big Ticket laces up his championship-winning adidas KG Commanders. If I had shoes with my face on them like KG — I’d never take them off either.

Travis Outlaw of the Portland Trailblazers rises up in a smooth colorway of the adidas TS Commander, surely giving Blazer faithful false hope for yet another season.

Greg Oden (Nike Powermax), LaMarcus Aldridge (Nike Huarache ‘08) and Brandon Roy (Nike Blue Chip) look to lead the Blazers to the playoffs this season after falling short last year.

Who cares what shoes Antoine Walker is wearing — I just figured you had no idea he was on the Grizzlies.

OJ Mayo rises up in a CLEAN pair of Hyperdunks.

Rudy Gay shows the crowd some flair with a nice left-handed windmill in his PE Nike Blue Chip. Maybe these’ll show up at the House of Hoops soon?

Kevin Love stretches in the adidas Thrillrahna. Perhaps he quietly signed a merch deal with the Stripes?

Mike Miller rocks a nice PE pair of the adidas TS Commander while Corey Brewer sticks to last season’s adidas Bounce Artillery. Either way — look for the Timberwolves to suck.