Stephon Marbury has an important place in the basketball sneaker industry. The former NBA and CBA All-Star started his line of kicks, Starburys, back in 2006. They were a big deal because they sold for $14.98, which in the world of sneakers is absolutely insane. He’s still selling some for that price, although he also has shoes for $32.98, along with his crazy light-up kicks for either $44.98 or $49.98.
Still, in the world of sneakers, those are crazy cheap. As you may expect, Marbury wasn’t exactly a fan of the recently-released ZO2 Prime, Lonzo Ball‘s signature sneaker through his dad’s company Big Baller Brand. Those bad boys are selling for an absurd $495.
Marbury expressed his disdain for the hefty price tag on Twitter.
https://t.co/McipMh3Rlz has a different meaning when selling shoes. Creating access for everyone is the reason why I make shoes for people. https://t.co/Fml3M5V4I1
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) May 4, 2017
There's a message in selling shoes for 14.98. It's not about the shoes https://t.co/mv84SONrCo
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) May 4, 2017
Marbury’s decision to make his kicks stemmed from a desire to make a more affordable basketball sneaker. It comes from literally the exact opposite place that LaVar Ball is coming from with the ZO2 Primes – those are meant to be viewed as an exclusive sneaker for Big Ballers like Chad Johnson.
These comments are similar to the ones that Shaquille O’Neal made. Also criticizing the hefty price tag on the sneakers, Shaq tweeted at the patriarch of the Ball family and said “real big baller brands don’t over charge kids for shoes.” He also linked to a picture of his sneaker brand, Shaq Shoes, which are $16 at Walmart.
Basketball sneakers can be pretty expensive, but even by the standard set by companies like Nike and adidas, ZO2 Primes are absurd. For guys like Marbury and Shaq, who want sneakers to be more accessible, it’s not a surprise that they aren’t fans.
