In NBA stardom, a player’s debut signature shoe can be as defining as their first championship ring. From Michael Jordan‘s revolutionary Air Jordans to LeBron James’s nearly $90 million Nike deal, before even stepping onto an NBA court, these footwear offerings often set the tone for a player’s marketability and legacy. However this time, one former NBA player has lauded the debut shoes of another NBA great. While these shoes are not often talked about in the NBA world but are surely as great as the Jordan or the Kobe.

In the recent episode of the ‘Club 520 Podcast’, the main agenda was which player had the best debut shoes in the league. While most of them were inclined towards discussing the debut shoes of current players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyrie Irving, Bishop B. Henn stated his love for the classics. “I’m an old-school guy bro, bro I’m a power-forward guy, I’m a Barkley drop,” said Henn during the podcast, and his words got the instant approval from the former Atlanta Hawks player, Jeff Teague as he yelled, “Facts.” Choosing Charles Barkley’s shoes over the Jordan had been a shocker for the fans.

However, the 70 million-dollar NBA MVP wasn’t always a Nike guy. From his initial days at Auburn University to his playing days with the Philadelphia 76ers. Barkley was always seen rocking Converse shoes. It was only after he left the Sixers that the power forward was approached by a major shoe line. In 1992, Nike signed a deal with Barkley which was worth $3 million, which led to the release of the power forward’s first-ever shoe in 1993: the Air Max Force CB. Most interestingly it was Michael Jordan who had helped Barkley re-negotiate his deal with the company. His Airness advised Barkley to take $1 million in cash and the other $2 million in stock options. This resulted in Barkley earning more money than he was supposed to make. “Michael gave me some great advice,” said Barkley in an interview.

The main features of Barkley’s shoes were the Air Max bubble at the heel, mesh dots, and a leather/suede construction. Although the $6.59 billion worth of Jordans are widely regarded by people throughout the world, it hasn’t stopped Nike from releasing any more Air Max CBs. Over two decades different versions of the shoe have been released, with the latest release in May of this year.

The story of Barkley’s Air Max Force CB and Teague’s endorsement isn’t just about sneakers but it’s also about legacy, innovation, and the power of a strong first impression. As the next generation of NBA stars debut their signature lines, they’ll be aiming not just for Jordan’s heights but for that elusive quality that turns simple footwear into a legend.  However, there’s another aspect that proves Jeff Teague’s love for sneakers.

Jeff Teague’s passion for collecting sneakers

The former Atlanta Hawks point guard isn’t always known for his impressive basketball skills but is definitely renowned for his extensive sneaker collection. A self-proclaimed sneakerhead, Teague has a closet that is nothing less than a treasure trove of rare and coveted kicks that would make any shoe collector envious.

The 36-year-old’s sneaker collection spans decades and includes a variety of brands from classic Nike Air Jordans to modern Yeezys. Most interestingly, his collection also spans different states. “Every year I swap out my closet. When I get new sneakers I send (the old ones) back to Indiana and start fresh in Atlanta with whatever is new,” said Teague (as per SI.com)

The point guard had also revealed during the interview that he has made his father and even his brother a fan of his sneaker collections. His extensive collection is a testament to his love for footwear and his status as one of the NBA’s most stylish entities.

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Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.