starbury's will be next gym(jump rope) shoes

[alocispepraluger102]

LeBron James vs. Stephon Marbury: The $150 Shoe vs. the $15 Shoe

Posted Mar 29th 2007 2:32PM by Nate Jones

Filed under: Knicks, Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Gossip, NBA Last Night, Cleveland, New York

During last nights Knicks and Cavs match up, there was another battle going on. As well documented around the net, Stephon Marbury is endorsing a line of $15 Steve and Barry's kicks called Starburys. The premise behind the shoe is to give kids that can't afford outrageously priced shoes a chance to purchase a pair of NBA endorsed kicks that won't break their parent's bank account. So what does LeBron James, endorser of Nike's outrageously priced basketball sneakers, have to say about Marbury's new kicks? Here's what he told Newsday's Ken Berger:

Before the game, James took a little shot at Marbury's $14.98 kicks, saying he couldn't imagine endorsing a sneaker that cheap. "No, I don't think so," James said. "Me being with Nike, we hold our standards high."

Obviously LeBron James rise to fame and riches has allowed him to forget about where he comes from. Isn't this the same LeBron James that grew up in poverty in Akron, OH? What Marbury is doing is starting a cultural revolution. He's trying to change the game so that kids don't feel left out if they don't have a pair of $150 shoes. If LeBron wanted to be the man to be a real global icon, he would look to be something more than a puppet for Nike and become a leader like Marbury and step out and do something different that would actually aid the people that come from backgrounds similar to his own. As well, there are plenty of people that are making millions of dollars selling cheaper shoes. Shaquille O'neal has been doing it for years, but at more than twice the price ($39.99) of the Starburys. So what's Stephon's response to LeBron's obvious arrogance?

Marbury, who is friendly with James, was lacing up his Starburys before the game when informed of LeBron's comment. He thought about it for a moment and said, "I'd rather own than be owned."

For those of you that don't know, unlike James, Marbury is actually tied to the equity of his brand. Marbury gets a piece of the profits from every Starbury shoe that is sold. So not only does he have a chance to revolutionize the shoe industry in a way that benefits the low income consumer, but he also has a chance to become a big time shoe mogul. Instead of being a lemming, James might want to start taking notes.

[Jim Alfredson]

When I was in middle school I used to get teased endlessly for my MTA Pros (for those not in the midwest, that's MTA as in Meijer's Thrifty Acres). All the cool kids had Adidas at that time. I probably could've played basketball, as I was really tall by the time I was in 7th grade, but I was too embarassed about my shoes... oh and I was incredibly clumsy.

Marbury is doing a good thing.

[alocispepraluger102]

the junior high kids endlessly yelled 'k-mart' at my lovely little grand-daughter's shoes a few years ago, till i bought her nikes.

[alocispepraluger102]

When I was in middle school I used to get teased endlessly for my MTA Pros (for those not in the midwest, that's MTA as in Meijer's Thrifty Acres). All the cool kids had Adidas at that time. I probably could've played basketball, as I was really tall by the time I was in 7th grade, but I was too embarassed about my shoes... oh and I was incredibly clumsy.

Marbury is doing a good thing.

i loved mta pros. they were really sturdy. they were so damn durable. wish i could find a good pair now.

Edited March 31, 2007 by alocispepraluger102

[Jazzmoose]

I had Addidas shoes in high school. Unfortunately, this was before anyone gave a shit, keeping my record intact as "the perpetually uncool one"...

[Jim Alfredson]

the junior high kids endlessly yelled 'k-mart' at my lovely little grand-daughter's shoes a few years ago, till i bought her nikes.

My parents just said, "So what?" The kids will find something else to tease her about.

[alocispepraluger102]

some new styles are going on sale tomorrow and i'll be styling with my detroit makos and wnur shirts autographed by the whole jazz department. an autographed organissimo t, if you sell them would be most cool, too.

Edited March 31, 2007 by alocispepraluger102

[ejp626]

I've read that Ben Wallace will be another NBA pro to endorse the Marbury shoe, which I think is classy. I don't know if he gets a piece of the action or not. Even Shaq's $40 shoe is a vast improvement over a $150 shoe. Someone said they thought the quality of Marbury's shoe was surprisingly good, so I assume it is made in China or somewhere equivalent. But I suppose almost all shoes are nowadays.

[Guy Berger]

Maybe Marbury can do the Knicks a favor and retire to become a shoe mogul.

Guy

[chris olivarez]

I haven't always been the biggest Marbury fan but on this one his value system seems to be in perfect order.

[alocispepraluger102]

now the proud owner of a couple pair of black hi-tops, one all black and one with orange soles. they are most comfortable and cool looking.

there are low cuts, too.

http://www.brandweek.com/bw/magazine/colum...t_id=1003562556

only the kids were looking at them, however.

adults are much too sophisticated for such faire, of course.

Edited April 1, 2007 by alocispepraluger102

[Noj]

Marbury's been wearing his own kicks to play in, and he's been having knee problems. Maybe there's something to the more expensive shoes.