Lang Whitaker and Russ Bengtson look at the only shoe on this list that was originally designed for a movie, the Nike Adapt BB. They look at how the concept of a self-lacing shoe originated in Back to the Future and the journey it took for Nike

Three the Hard Way: Under Armour Curry One

Dec 1st, 2023 20m 6s

Lang Whitaker and Russ Bengtson explore the penultimate shoe on their list, the Under Armour Curry One. Under Armour and Steph Curry shared a similar journey of Under Armour as they both started out overlooked and underrated but quickly redefin

The Low-Cut Theory: Nike Zoom Kobe IV

Nov 28th, 2023 25m 37s

Lang and Russ share their favorite stories about Kobe Bryant photoshoots they've worked with him as they look at his impact in the game of basketball and sneakers. Kobe initially rocked the three stripes with Adidas, but their paths diverged af

Watch the Throne: Nike Air Zoom Generation

Nov 21st, 2023 21m 1s

Dive into the sneaker game with Lang and Russ as they discuss the Nike Air Zoom Generation, aka the LeBron 1s.LeBron James scores his iconic logo with first dunk as an NBA player. LeBron was the undisputed phenom, not in his rookie NBA year, bu

The Strength of Street Knowledge: And1 Tai Chi

Nov 17th, 2023 30m 28s

Alright, kick back and let me spin you the tale of the AND1 Tai Chi – the shoes that became legendary thanks to the one and only Vince Carter! Picture this: Vince, on a mission to make a name for himself, steps onto the NBA dunk contest stage r

A Love Supreme: Nike Air Jordan XI

Nov 14th, 2023 23m 1s

Lang and Russ are diving into the saga of the second legendary kicks in basketball history—the cool cousin of the Nike Air Jordan, the Jordan 11s! Picture this: Michael Jordan walking onto the court in these heat of a shoe, never see the shoe a

All Hail the Queen: Nike Air Swoopes

Nov 10th, 2023 20m 38s

In this episode, Lang and Russ are about to unravel a groundbreaking chapter in sneaker history! Get ready to dive into the story of the first-ever shoe that proudly showcased a female athlete as its face. Brace yourselves as our hosts take you

Bad Boys for Life: Nike Air Force Max

Nov 7th, 2023 20m 34s

Get ready for an electrifying episode as Lang and Russ tell the story of the creation of the Nike Air Force Max, a shoe tailor-made for the legendary Charles Barkley, the rising powerhouse of the NBA. Our hosts deep-dive into the thrilling tale

Yo! Bum Rush the Show: Reebok Pump

Nov 3rd, 2023 20m 55s

Lang and Russ are unraveling the wild rollercoaster ride of the Reebok Pump. Now, we're talking serious bucks – this shoe hit the market with a bang, sporting a price tag that towered a whole $100 above its competitors. These kicks weren't just

Cult of Personality: Nike Air Jordan

Oct 31st, 2023 22m 14s

Get ready to lace up your sneaker knowledge because Lang and Russ are taking us on a thrilling ride through the iconic world of Nike Air Jordans! These kicks aren't just shoes; they're practically legends in the world of basketball and beyond.

It's the New Style: Nike Air Force 1

Oct 27th, 2023 18m 3s

Imagine a sneaker that not only revolutionized the game for basketball players but also became a style statement in the world of hip-hop! That's the magic of Nike's AF1, a shoe that paved the way for countless others. Designed by Frank Rudy, wh

The Shape of Sneakers to Come: adidas Top Ten

Oct 24th, 2023 17m 21s

Lang and Russ dive into the time machine to chat about the adidas Top Ten sneaker, born in '79 but totally rocked the '80s! It was dubbed 'Top 10' with high hopes of it gracing the famous feet of the NBA's elite, but the top 10 players didn't s

New York State of Mind: PUMA Clyde

Oct 20th, 2023 19m 32s

In this episode, Russ and Lang dive deep into the tale of Puma's quest to conquer the sports world. Puma ambitiously chased after every big-shot athlete on the scene, but most of these athletes played sports with cleats or spikes, making it a r

Tougher Than Leather: Adidas Superstar

Oct 17th, 2023 16m 56s

In this episode, Russ and Lang get into the story behind the Adidas Superstar, the sneaker that challenged the dominance of Chuck Taylors, offering people an option in footwear. They explore how Chris Laverne, a prominent designer, played a piv

The Birth of Cool: Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star

Oct 13th, 2023 18m 53s

On this episode, Lang and Russ talk about the Chuck Taylor All-Star. Chuck Taylor wasn't the exceptional athlete one might expect, but rather, he was a salesman. Hear about some of the most iconic athletes to wear this shoe in their profession

A History of Basketball In Fifteen Sneakers: Introduction

Oct 10th, 2023 8m 22s

In this new episode of the podcast "A History of Basketball in Fifteen Sneakers" from Grind City Media, hosts Lang Whitaker and Russ Bengtson introduce their latest venture. Russ, the author of "A History of Basketball in Fifteen Sneakers," joi

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