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Kyrie Irving goes to great lengths to cover the Nike logo on his shoes at the NBA All-Star Game, two months after the sports giant fired him amid an anti-Semitism controversy.
Kyrie Irving has continued to cover the logo on his Nike shoes, but the Dallas Mavericks star showed a more creative approach than ever during the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday.
Since Nike ended its partnership with Irving in December following controversy over the posting of a link to an Amazon documentary and subsequent comments, he has continued to wear his signature sneakers, albeit with duct tape and messaging instead of the swoosh.
Perhaps given his presence in Utah, or his recent move to Texas, Irving had tasseled fringe on his signature shoe.
For the first half, Irving wore a different pair, opting instead for the more subtle ribbon design, with a written message adorning it.
As is often written on his choice of court shoe, Irving had ‘Afrakan Revolution’ written next to a finely drawn infinity logo, also on the sole of his tasseled pair.
Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving came up with his most creative way yet to cover the swoosh
Irving wore a brighter pair of Nikes throughout the first half, with a common message on the side.
It’s become something of a ritual for the former Brooklyn Nets playmaker ever since Nike ended their $11 million-a-year partnership.
Irving signed with Nike in 2011 and had an exclusive line of shoes since 2014. After owning one of the most popular signature shoes in the NBA, he is now a sneaker free agent.
When asked during All-Star Week who has the best shoe line, two-time MVP and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo admitted that “besides me,” it had to be Irving.
“Probably Kyrie Irving, but he’s not with Nike anymore.”
In his first game after the end of their multi-year partnership, Irving had ‘I AM FREE Thank God…I AM’ emblazoned on the side of his kicks. While the other side had a more simplistic and cheeky message; ‘logo here.’
Irving changed his shoes midway through in the Dec. 8 win over Charlotte, but strangely decided not to cover up the Nike logo on a navy blue pair.
The Melbourne-born star received immense scrutiny for sharing the controversial Amazon documentary despite offering no opinion along with the link, and was suspended eight games by the Nets organization.
Since making his debut with the Mavericks on February 8 in a trade from Brooklyn, Irving has continued to hide the Nike logo.
Along with the perpetual message of ‘Afrikan Liberation’, Irving is often seen with ‘Kai’ and ‘AII Even Tribe’ on his shoes, supposedly in reference to his Native American heritage.
Irving did some damage with his custom kicks, scoring 32 All-Star Game points for Team LeBron, the most by any Mavs player in franchise history.
Irving debuted for the Dallas Mavericks wearing his signature cleats but with a ‘Black Liberation’ note
He often has ‘AII Even Tribe’ on his sneakers, supposedly a nod to his Native American heritage.