Late last week, the NBA unveiled the 2014-2015 season schedule, which features some very appealing matchups on Opening Night and Christmas Day. We took some time to examine and analyze the schedule in its entirety and broke down the most intriguing games of the 2014-2015 NBA season from an on-court footwear standpoint. Find out when the first Kobe vs. LeBron matchup happens, Stephen Curry’s return to the Garden, Grammy Night and much more.
Notable Head-to-Head Matchups
November 21st, 2014/December 12th, 2014 – Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers (ESPN) – The Derrick Rose vs. Damian Lillard matchup is very intriguing from a basketball standpoint as well as sneakers. adidas essentially promoted the D Rose line through Lillard for the past two years, while the Chicago Bulls point guard was sidelined. With whispers of Lillard getting his own signature sneaker this season, there’s a lot of potential for adidas to get creative during both Rose vs. Lillard matchups this season.
December 9th/December 21st/April 13th/April 15th, 2014 – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers (NBA League Pass) – When Los Angeles natives Derrick Williams and Nick Young share the court, you can expect to see footwear that you haven’t seen in years and/or footwear that hasn’t released yet. Nick Young, last year’s Kicks On Court Champion, and Derrick Williams, the 2013 Kicks On Court Champion, enjoy consistently surprising the masses with their on-court footwear and seem to engage in one-upmanship when they play against each other.
December 11th/January 25th, 2014 – Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (TNT/ABC) – The Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James matchup has been one of the most watched bouts ever since they faced off in the 2012 NBA Finals. Not only do they compete at the highest level, but they both often use the platform to display player exclusive versions of their latest signature shoes.
January 15th/February 8th, 2015 – Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers (TNT/ABC) – In the same manner as KD vs. LeBron, the Kobe vs. King James matchup is another televised game that everyone focuses on. Both bring out exclusive versions of their latest footwear, with LeBron using the Staples Center trip sometimes to unveil the Los Angeles Fairfax High School exclusive version of his shoe each year.
January 24th/March 16th, 2015 – Washington Wizards vs. Portland Trail Blazers (NBATV/NBA League Pass) – John Wall vs. Damian Lillard is one of the budding rivalries that warrants attention. adidas took advantage of the friendly competition between the two by launching the adidas “Florist City” Collection during John Wall and the Wizards only visit to The City of Roses this past season. Both are said to be receiving their own shoes this season, so a potential signature sneaker debut on court for both of them during one of their matchups isn’t far-fetched.
