Name: Adam Bartley
About me: Let me tell you what got me collecting; Whilst growing up in the peak of the NBAs dominance in the sporting spotlight in the mid-late 90s seeing probably the most dominating players in basketball history from Magic Johnson & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen to Karl Malone and John Stockton.
Think back if you can to MJs wondrous Free-Throw Line Dunk, that image of him gliding through the air in those Jordan IIIs was and still is enough to make a baller or even a sneakerhead weak at the knees.
My first instance of being enamoured by a fresh pair of sneakers was a new kid transferring into my school with a brand new pair Reebok Pumps, these things were so white they were practically shining add to around the same time was my cousins coming back from hitting up the LA Gear outlet (I’m sure some of you older heads from Sydney were familiar with it back in the day) the White/Highlighter Yellow and Black almost made my head spin. I remember being so jealous of them, and there I was in Chuck Taylors and the like.
Fast-forward a few years now I’m actually allowed to choose my own kicks, (Oh so much sweeter when you earn your first pair) 97 Air Up-tempo loved them kicks (If the White/Blue retro again I’m gonna need them again). After a Hiatus of about 10 years I remember seeing the White/Varsity Red VIs on sale and couldn’t not grab them, but from then on it has been a very interesting journey rediscovering my love for what many people consider as just a swath of leather and a hunk of rubber. But what they don’t seem to understand is it’s not just a Sneaker, Sandshoes, Tennis shoes or whatever they want to downplay it to, As most of us Sneaker heads know sneakers are not just shoes but a way of Life!
Instagram: @Just_for_kixz
My Top Three Sneakers
– Sitting here thinking about my top 3 sneakers is a real taxing process with the Myriad of Jordan’s, Kobe’s, LeBrons among others with so much history ingenuity and technology where to start chronologically in order of preference it’s enough to make you pull out your hair however here i have in no particular order i have placed my 3 Favourites from my collection
Jordan BRed IV – From the first use of Dura-buck, the mesh with the Wings and Waffle Tabs or is it just the predominantly black silhouette w/ the small splashes of white grey and red or is it the history that they carry I still get goose bumps watching his exploits Vs Cleveland on that auspicious night in May ’89 no easy feat dropping massive buckets especially “The Shot” over Craig Ehlo who was renowned as a very good defender but 69 points and 18 rebounds is no easy task or maybe just the fact that look Fly as F**k who can rightly say. Although mine are getting on and are desperately in needof a midsole repaint i definitely plan on wearing these untilthey fall apart, White wings and waffles is this where Roscoe got the idea from.
Nike Zoom Flight 5 OG Home (C/W) – It may just be Bias maybe just pure happenstance but on my top 3 favourite sneakers comes these Dark Horses never overly high on most collectors lists if at all however with Jason Kidd’s first signature shoe released in 1997 it really changed sneakers for me. I cant quite put my finger on whether it is the simple white upper with the lone 3m strip that follows around from the top of the heel to the Throat line and follows around and does it over again, perhaps its that massive big Blue/Green iridescent disc that sits mid foot often dubbed either the Alien or Bug Eye (depending who you listen to). With Mr Triple Double as my favourite player this Sneaker just holds sentimental value although unfortunately iwas unable to cop from the OG release in 97 and only being able to get my hands on some few years ago, now that I have them… well… I’m seriously trying not to think nasty thoughts
***Kidds first nickname in the NBA was ’ason refers to his lack of a jumpshot which most everyone back in the day simplified to J and since Jason had no J well you get the picture
Nike LeBron James 9 Miami Nights – The mainly dark shadowy outline definitely Pops with that big Vivid Purple 3m Swoosh add to that the Bright Pink Laces after the flamboyancy of the Bright Purple and Hot Pink subside you start to notice the subtle characteristics of this magnificent Sneaker starting with the Gun Metal grey upper then following the dark woven inserts that i can only liken to The Ace of Clubs as well as the inky black mesh this sneaker definitely stands out. Although Nike released a numerous Colourways for this model for some reason i just can’t seem to go past the Miami Nights from all the LBJ 9sthat i have acquired