Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker and sneakers are synonymous, and at this point, it’s stamped that he’s the undisputed King of Kicks in the NBA. Tucker’s rotation always remains rare and winning back-to-back Kicks on Court championships further asserts that fact. If the 2019-20 NBA season wasn’t curtailed due to the deadly coronavirus, PJ was probably set to claim his third consecutive KOC crown with the heat he rolled out this year.
Let’s take a look at the ten best kicks PJ Tucker rocked during this past regular season campaign.
Game 2 vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Air Jordan 6 “Travis Scott”
Houston, Tx. native Travis Scott’s spin on the Air Jordan Retro 6 proved to be another success in his burgeoning partnership with Nike and Jordan Brand, so it’s no surprise that Tucker, who currently hoops for Scott’s hometown Rockets, rolled these out so early in the season. I love that he swapped out the laces to match Houston’s jersey. Subtle, but dope maneuver.
Jordan’s “Travis Scott” 6’s dropped the weekend of Oct. 11, so it’s not shocking that Tucker was rocking these roughly two weeks later, although he probably had his hands on a few pairs well before the general release date.
Game 7 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant 4 PE
Sheesh, these are beautiful. I wonder how deep into the vault Tucker had to dig for these because not even KD owns them! PJ just has no chill when it comes to kicks, and I’m all here for it.
On another note, the KD 4’s remain the slickest in Durant’s line with Nike. It’s a model that was ahead of its time, and it boasts some of the most memorable colorways in KD’s time with the Swoosh, including “Nerf” and “Weatherman.”
Game 30 vs. Sacramento Kings: Night Air Flight Huarache “Kobe Bryant PE”
Growing up I was a fiend for Nike’s Huarache line, so it makes sense that the one donned by my favorite player of all-time, the late, great Kobe Bryant lands on this list.
Tucker displays how deep his sneaker bag is by sporting these player exclusives, and he’s also known to rock Kobe’s kicks pretty frequently. These were a very nice touch.
Game 31 vs. Golden State Warriors: Air Jordan 4 “Wahlburgers”
Jordan 4’s are one of my favorite sneakers of all-time, so I had to include these super exclusive “Wahlburgers” on this top-10 list. You’ve got to have some gall (and an insane sneaker collection like Tucker’s) to hoop in these, but PJ rolled them out in a casual outing against the Warriors.
If you’re wondering the price tag on these, they currently range between $18-19K on Flight Club. The Wahlburger 4’s are a byproduct of actor Mark Wahlberg’s longstanding relationship with Jordan Brand. Wahlberg debuted the sneaker, which was inspired by his Wahlburger’s restaurant, and they were eventually distributed to family and friends.
Game 35 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
This might’ve been the dagger. PJ Tucker dropped a bomb by rolling out the Air Jordan 5 “Fresh Prince Friends & Family.”
These were dropped by Jordan Brand in September of 2018 to celebrate Will Smith’s 50th birthday (Sept. 25). Limited to 23 pairs, fans and sneakerheads had a chance to claim a pair by donating to Smith’s charity. I doubt Tucker had to enter the contest to snag his.
Game 41 vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Air Jordan 3 “Kobe Bryant PE”
Are you surprised that there’s another Kobe Bryant related entry on this list? Well, you shouldn’t be.
During the 2002-2003 season, Bryant was a sneaker free agent after parting ways with Adidas, and he rocked a handful of different kicks throughout the year, including a variety of spicy Air Jordan PE’s.
These Jordan 3’s were one of the pairs Bryant hooped in during that regular season campaign, and the ones that were designed specifically for Kobe were auctioned off for over $30,000.
Game 45 vs. Denver Nuggets: Kobe 7
The last Kobe sneaker on this list, but this one is on here for good reason.
Jan. 26, 2020 shocked the entire world, as Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others perished in a fatal helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif.
Everyone, from those in the basketball community to global leaders mourned the tragic passing of Bryant, and many tributes followed in the days that followed. PJ Tucker being the sneakerhead he is paid homage to Bryant by hooping in some Kobe 7’s, a classic in Bryant’s line with Nike.
We still miss Kobe dearly, and our thoughts are with the families that continue to grieve as a result of the catastrophe.
Game 47 vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Air Jordan 7 “Oregon”
I’m usually not a fan of “loud” colored sneakers, but I rock with these. Matter of fact, I’m a fan of most of Air Jordan’s “Oregon” designs. These are executed perfectly, and I like Tucker pulling out the less-heralded 7’s as opposed to the 3’s.
Game 50 vs. Charlotte Hornets: Air Jordan 11 “OVO Snakeskin”
After doing some digging, it appeared as if only a few pairs of these were in circulation.
Of course, Drake had a pair and according to Nice Kicks, INDEX in Portland picked up both these and the pink snakeskin pair, which Tucker also rocked this season. You know he had to flex on us with both colorways.
These are so tough. The icy sole and the snakeskin complement each other nicely. Jordan Brand hit a home run with these.
Game 62 vs. Charlotte Hornets: Air Jordan 3 “Seoul”
We close out the list with the Air Jordan 3 “Seoul,” a re-purposing of the legendary “Cement” colorway to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Korea’s capital hosting the 1988 Summer Olympics.
There’s not much to be said about these. They’re just super clean.
What were the best kicks you saw rocked on NBA hardwood this past season? Also, do you think PJ Tucker is the sneaker champ for the third season in a row, or is there another player threatening his crown? Hit me with your thoughts on Twitter. @wcb94.
