Nice Kicks: Ok. You just mentioned Gerald Wallace who is a Jordan Brand Member. Sean May and Juwan Howard are also with Jordan Brand. Who own the better Jordan collection?
D.J. Augustin: I’d have to day myself since I have a smaller foot than those guys (size 12). They don’t get all the shoes that I receive because Jordan Brand only makes certain sizes in particular shoes. After me, I would say Gerald and then Juwan. Or maybe Juwan and Gerald are tied. Sean, he doesn’t get nothing. He’s struggling. He tries to borrow our shoes.
Gerald Wallace’s Air Jordan 2 PE
Nice Kicks: What about your former University of Texas teammate Kevin Durant? Nike just gave Durant his1st signature sneaker (Nike KD1). What are your thoughts on this sneaker?
D.J. Augustin: I didn’t like them. I told him they were ugly, but the new ones that are low-top with a strap across the middle are nice though (Nike KD2). I like them. I don’t know if you have seen them yet but they’re nice. Kevin and I have been working out together in Austin, Texas while attending classes.
Nice Kicks: Oh okay. Yeah, you and Durant did a lot for the University of Texas while you all were there. What was your favorite shoe to play in while at UT?
D.J. Augustin: It was probably the shoes Steve Nash used to wear in the 2007-08 season. They were Black suede and orange (Nike Air Uptempo Stutter Step).
Nice Kicks: Okay. Now we’re about to find out your style. Give me a list of your top 5 basketball sneakers of all time
D.J. Augustin: I’d have to say the Air Jordan 11 “Space Jams”; I really loved the Adidas Pro Model; the Reebok Answer I Black/Gold; Jason Kidd’s Nike Air Zoom Flight Five B; and the Nike Air Penny II
Nice Kicks: What is your favorite shoe to wear off-court?
D.J. Augustin: Man, I have so many shoes! With my jeans and like a Polo shirt, I wear the Air Jordan 1 Retro Hi Strap. I take the strap off though. I have those shoes in all types of colors. I have some on right now. That’s my favorite shoe to wear with jeans and stuff like that. I wear a lot of Jordan flip flops as well.
Nice Kicks: Seeing that you are a professional basketball player, I know you do a lot of outdoor training. With that said, what shoe do you that in?
D.J. Augustin: For the most part, I wear the Jordan Trunner Q4. I run on the track and work out with them.
D.J. Augustin surveying the court in the Jordan 6 Rings PE
Nice Kicks: How does the process go for the shoes you wear on the court? Do you get to choose what shoes you want to wear or does Jordan Brand send you what they want you to wear in hopes of advertising a shoe that is on the market?
D.J. Augustin: At the beginning of the season, Jordan Brand sends you a package. In that package, you receive four shoe models. If you like them, they send you 10 pairs of each model to wear through February. After the All-Star break, Jordan Brand gives you two more models with 10 pairs of each to finish out the season. They let you practice in them and if you like them they will give you more. If you do not like the shoes they give to you, then they will give you something else to try. Basically, Jordan Brand wants to make u comfortable and make you feel good. They also give you the choice to have your personal logo, your name and/or your jersey number on the shoes. First, they show it to you on paper and if you like the shoe that is when they send you the package.
“I have seen a lot of ugly ass shoes. Honestly, I think Shaq has the ugliest shoes. Those shoes are terrible! I don’t know if you have ever seen them in person, but they are big and just ugly.”– D.J Augustin |
Nice Kicks: If that is not the best part about being a Jordan Brand member, please tell us what could be better?
D.J. Augustin: (Laughs) Man they just take care of you! They give you top-of-the-line service and you get a lot of the best gear/clothing for yourself, your family and your friends. Jordan gear is in high demand, so a lot of people aren’t able to get the kind of stuff we get. It’s a very good perk. They take care of you with off-court stuff as well. Jordan is involved with a lot of events. They know a lot of entertainers that they introduce you too and throw a lot of parties.
Nice Kicks: We have a section called Good, the Bad and the Fugly that spotlights a good shoe, a bad shoe and an ugly shoe each week. We hear that you like to play the drums in your spare time. What atrocious pair of kicks have you seen lately that could be beaten with a pair of drumsticks?
D.J. Augustin: I have seen a lot of ugly ass shoes. Honestly, I think Shaq has the ugliest shoes. Those shoes are terrible! I dont know if you have ever seen them in person, but they are big and just ugly. They just look heavy. It seems like you can’t even move in them. I don’t know how he does it.
Nice Kicks: (Laughs) Well, thanks for your time D.J. We’ll be looking for that Jordan Augustin I to surface soon.
D.J. Augustin: I appreciate it. Be looking for that.
