Why Do Fans Care About Shoes So Much?

PG24 · Post #1 » by **PG24** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 6:35 am

Honest question. I don't get it. I mean I get it for the players because they make some $$$ off of shoes. But why do fans obsess over the shoes that players wear?

Triples333 · Post #2 » by **Triples333** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 6:41 am

PG24 wrote:Honest question. I don't get it. I mean I get it for the players because they make some $$$ off of shoes. But why do fans obsess over the shoes that players wear?

Because everyone wears shoes, and the NBA has the perfect blend of popular athletes + shoes you can actually wear (doesn't work for football, baseball, soccer, hockey). Shoes are just a big part of clothing culture in general, and the NBA represents the apex of shoe culture for young guys/shoe heads.

Also, Nike/Jordan took it to another stratosphere and it never looked back.

Post #3 » by **Jakay** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 6:57 am

You know it's not just what players wear, it's about brands in general. Anything Yeeezy puts out is a limited release and basically flies off the shelf.

Ain't no one wearing Yeezy's. It's just a thing...

... that I also do not understand.

Dupp · Post #4 » by **Dupp** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 7:06 am

Basketball shoes are for children. Using them practically is obviously fine. If you’re an adult that wears then day to day or you collect them grow up.

MoochieNorris · Post #5 » by **MoochieNorris** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 7:11 am

Dupp wrote:Basketball shoes are for children. Using them practically is obviously fine. If you’re an adult that wears then day to day or you collect them grow up.

ok boomer

RoundMoundOfRebound · Post #6 » by **RoundMoundOfRebound** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 7:11 am

Watch on YouTube

JN61 · Post #7 » by **JN61** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 7:11 am

Well if you play basketball you need a shoes do might as well go with some of the best ones. Apart of that wearing inside sports shoes is silly.

tribulations · Post #8 » by **tribulations** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 7:12 am

What's the point of anything

Sent from my SM-G977B using RealGM mobile app

sunskerr · Post #9 » by **sunskerr** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 7:24 am

Some reasons include (likely a combination of, and not limited to) brand association, status, socializing with others, nostalgia, genuine interest, and sport performance.

Then there are also advertising factors (aka capitalism) that exploit the above reasons. So the reasons are basically like any other thing people like.

JoeyLightYears · Post #10 » by **JoeyLightYears** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 7:59 am

Sports are soap operas and basketball shoes are fashion. This way men get to play gossip and dress up while still pretending to be macho.

RB34 · Post #11 » by **RB34** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 8:01 am

I mostly enjoy shoes because of the forced child labour.

donemilio21 · Post #12 » by **donemilio21** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 8:12 am

I never owned more than one pair of basketball shoes. I use them to play basketball, buy a new one every 2-3 years. I don't think I ever spent more than $60 for it. I think that's most people's relationship with basketball or any other sport shoes.

If someone pays $200 for basketball shoes, has multiple pairs, and does not really use them for their intended purpose, that's because to him it is an affordable luxury that he can show off to his friends and and feel closer to the millionaire athlete he admires.

So essentially it is not much different than someone owning multiple purses from Gucci, LV, etc.. and still wanting to buy the newest one from Chanel. It's a status symbol within the group/culture that you are in.

TJ_Ford_11 · Post #13 » by **TJ_Ford_11** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 8:29 am

Shoes are the male version of a purse. Having more than one of either is pointless to me, but not to many others.

PT416 · Post #14 » by **PT416** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 8:32 am

Because I can't afford a car and I really need a girlfriend.

Lalouie · Post #15 » by **Lalouie** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 8:33 am

PG24 wrote:Honest question. I don't get it. I mean I get it for the players because they make some $$$ off of shoes. But why do fans obsess over the shoes that players wear?

i get that part, i don't get the spending all that money part

Maf · Post #16 » by **Maf** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 8:55 am

PT416 wrote:Because I can't afford a car and I really need a girlfriend.

Be carefull. After you get girlfriend you still can't afford a car but probably won't be able to afford shoes, too. :wink:

Mr Puddles · Post #17 » by **Mr Puddles** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 9:19 am

Maf wrote:
PT416 wrote:Because I can't afford a car and I really need a girlfriend.

Be carefull. After you get girlfriend you still can't afford a car but probably won't be able to afford shoes, too.

So true lol, my expense sheet after a break up looks like the Lehman Brothers stock plunge.

Tomazan · Post #18 » by **Tomazan** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 9:29 am

I also don't understand what's the point of having expensive and "cool" bball shoes if you are over 18yo ?

Like it's OK to play basketball in the gym with your friends but do you really need the latest shoes?

Maf · Post #19 » by **Maf** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 9:32 am

Mr Puddles wrote:
Maf wrote:
PT416 wrote:Because I can't afford a car and I really need a girlfriend.

Be carefull. After you get girlfriend you still can't afford a car but probably won't be able to afford shoes, too.

So true lol, my expense sheet after a break up looks like the Lehman Brothers stock plunge.

Good one.

My daughter came with homework. Something like father had thousand (let's say dollars, not our currency but doesn't matter). Mother took half of the money. Daughter took fifth of the rest and later son took fourth of the rest. How much has daddy left?
I wrote message to daughter's teacher.

"Dear ms. Teacher. Can't sleep whole night. Where this clever father has his secret stash hidden so they can't take him all of the money???" :lol:

Scuall · Post #20 » by **Scuall** » Wed Mar 4, 2020 9:34 am

I like shoes. I wear Jordans and Air Max(es) to work, along with the Vans I have on now. Deck my son out in great shoes and I'm very jealous of the Cement 3s he wears (haven't gotten around to getting a pair for myself).

Here's the kicker though; my wife and I have very lucrative careers and we can afford this stuff. Now the guys out there waiting in long lines for limited releases, the kids selling numerous pairs in order to trade up for a $1K+ "grail".... yeah that's the part I don't get. Shoes were made to be worn and beaten up, not displayed in a plastic box in your house.