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If a single man can be credited for a revolution in the sneaker industry, it’s Michael Jordan. His on-court superiority is often talked about. However, away from the sport, his signature shoe became a fashion staple. Over 20 NBA stars have signed with the Air Jordan brand, being part of its rich history. Most would heap praise on the prestigious sneaker. But it seems not everyone likes the Jordan brand.

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During a recent interview, a six-time All-Star spoke about his horrific experience donning the Jordans. It was so bad that he only wore it for one season before rushing back to his idol, Kobe Bryant.

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DeMar DeRozan couldn’t handle the Michael Jordan sneaker

DeMar DeRozan has always preferred the Kobe Bryant signature line. From rare pairs to unreleased prototypes, 6x All-Star never missed a Kobe shoe in sight. Growing up in California, the Black Mamba was his role model. After getting to the NBA, he formed a close relationship with Bryant, taking him as a mentor. Today, DeRozan is the closest player to Bryant in terms of the iconic fadeaway, his midrange mastery, and a fearless yearning to win the game. It was no surprise that he never steered away from Kobes.

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There was only one year that he did. In that season, he switched to Jordans. Sadly, experimenting didn’t end well for the 33-year-old. He spoke in detail about the supposed side effects the sneaker had on his feet.

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“Yeah, just been like, I been a Kobe. Remember that one year? Remember, one year I was wearing Jordans and foam pos and s**t. Like I was just doing anything. That sh*t f****d my feet up. I was getting plantar fasciitis, blisters on my feet. I said man never again, never again,” said DeRozan while a guest on ‘Iman Amongst Men’.

After the one-time adventure miserably failed, DeRozan switched back to the Kobe’s. Since then, he hasn’t left his mentor’s line. Even when Nike couldn’t negotiate a new deal, DeRozan dived into his vintage stock to continue wearing his shoe. Luckily for DeMar DeRozan, the swoosh did reach an agreement with the Bryant estate to continue the late great’s legacy. The Chicago Bulls star is the unofficial face of the signature line.

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Millions are willing to empty their wallets to acquire an iconic Michael Jordan sneaker with his silhouette. However, DeRozan is one of the very few who rejected His Airness altogether. What are your thoughts on DeRozan’s take? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by

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Anuj Talwalkar

4,524 Articles

Anuj Talwalkar is a senior NBA Newsbreak specialist at EssentiallySports, trusted for his real-time coverage and fast, accurate updates on league developments. With five NBA seasons and two Olympics coverages under his belt, Anuj stands out as the go-to reporter for the NBA Matchday Newsdesk. As part of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, he continuously refines his hard reporting with grounded storytelling shaped by fan culture and court-level insights. An economics graduate and lifelong OKC fan since the Supersonics era, Anuj combines analytical thinking and a genuine passion for basketball. He’s recognized for both his live news coverage and feature writing, with aspirations to someday interview Russell Westbrook. Anuj’s reporting is marked by its reliability, depth, and strong connection to the pulse of the NBA.

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Pragya Vashisth

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