Kevin Durant brings back retro KD 4 “Galaxy” as NBA All-Stars don signature shoes

The All-Star Game is the NBA’s version of the Met Gala, where the league’s 24 best players grace the hardwood with creative sneaker silhouettes that fly off of shelves once available to the public.

The 2024 NBA All-Star game saw some of its brightest stars carry on a tradition that has lasted the better part of the 21st century, wearing unique signature shoes that push the bounds of avant-garde design.

Western Conference starters Kevin Durant and LeBron James led the way for players with their own signature lines, and Jayson Tatum debuted a new addition to his Jordan Tatum 2 series.

As 24 players dazzled with an array of scintillating highlight plays, those with an eye and a taste for sneakers took time to appreciate the anticipated models that their favorite stars wore.

All-Stars push sneaker culture with captivating on-court silhouettes

Tatum graced the sneakerhead community and those with an appreciation for nice kicks with the Tatum 2 “Sidewalk Chalk.”

The regular season MVP candidate spoke on the meaning of the shoe after getting it signed by his fellow All-Stars in the locker room prior to tip-off:

Durant made a statement aside from his long-range shooting on the affair. The Phoenix Suns’ lead man hit the court wearing his KD 4 model in its “Galaxy” colorway, per Nice Kicks. The KD 4 stands out as one of Durant’s most coveted releases, but the Galaxy’s got mixed reviews from fans chiming in on the star’s choice of footwear.

Aside from Durant, James put on a fusion rendition of NFL legend Deion Sanders’ Diamond Turf 3 sneakers the with the LeBron 21 “DT Max 96,” as Complex Sneakers shared on X. The clunky retro look added an old-school appeal to the All-Star Game.

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson paid homage to the late Kobe Bryant while donning his Kobe 4 “Gold Medal” release. Those were one of two sneakers Brunson sported in the game.

Orlando Magic first-time All-Star Paolo Banchero also swapped in and out of kicks, and made a bold statement with two colorways of the Air Jordan 38 Low PE.

Further, fashion icon Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pushed Converse to the forefront with the All-Star Brilliant CX “What The.” A vibrant multi-colored palette caught eyes as the Oklahoma City Thunder breakout MVP candidate soared through the air with flare.

Though Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown debuted a new exclusive Bapesta unit a day prior during All-Star Saturday night, the hype around the shoe and the finish of the “7uice” as they are called, could not go unrecognized:

All in all, every player that took the floor had on sneakers that made a statement. As always, the All-Star Game delivered on debut and statement works of art, fostering hype in the interconnected worlds of hoops and footwear.