"Why don't you get new shoes?" -- Joe Ingles on why he keeps wearing the same Kobe Bryant sneakers
Joe Ingles and Kobe Bryant
© Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Ingles doesn’t let the success get into his head. He plays the game the right way, wears the same sneakers, and does it again the next time. Proof of his humility and consistency: wearing the same shoes for almost two seasons.
I'll wear the Kobe until no one else is kind of wearing it
Joe Ingles earns millions and is endorsed by Nike, but he prefers to buy and wear a specific type of shoes which is considered a rarity in today’s NBA. The players, especially the superstars, could afford to buy and wear different sneakers every game, but Joe sticks to what feels good for him.
So when he has decided on his weapon of choice for his feet, he would use it until it’s time to look for another pair that might not necessarily be in another design. Joe didn’t even care if the shoe was already discontinued; he would look for ways to avail them even in the resale market.
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"All of my teammates used to laugh at me like, 'Why don't you get new shoes?' It just doesn't bother me. The shoe's comfy, my feet feel good. We're trying to win a basketball game, I'm not worried,” Ingles said.
That "hoopsters hoop" mentality is becoming rare in the NBA. Every player almost focuses too much on branding, game outfits, and off-court lifestyle. But not Joe. He is often ribbed that he looks like a science or math teacher, but the small forward likes to let his game do the talking.
Tribute to Kobe Bryant
Ironically, Ingles wore his Kobe shoes against Kobe Bryant in his last game, where he torched the Utah Jazz with 60 points. Being able to compete with the Black Mamba is something Joe isn’t taking for granted.
"One of the coolest things that ever happened was playing in that game and him signing the shoes when Nike made us all a shoe, and it had the date of the game on it and all that stitched into it," Ingles added.
Kobe may not be around anymore, but his legacy lives on with the players whose lives he touched. Can Joe Ingles channel his inner Black Mamba this coming season? The Jazz fans would have to wait and see.
