by Sandy Dover for Baller Mind Frame of Complex Media
You may have already caught wind of future Hall of Famer and “Shaqramento Kings” owner Shaquille O’Neal having his original Reebok sneaker, the Shaq Attaq, released in colors inspired by his native Newark, New Jersey — also known as the “Brick City”. If you didn’t, check back on it here, but if you did already catch the noise, see more of the beauty shots of the Shaq Attaq Brick City classic, courtesy of Reebok Classic. …
It’s always a funny thing with classic footwear. What fans and collectors value most are the original colors of shoes that they value most and any deviations, no matter how minute, are usually criticized. If you have a great design, sometimes, colorways can be thrown together in a multitude of hues and still look good, while others can be atrocious with any deviation from the original.
Which makes Reebok’s “The Big Shaqtus” version of the original Shaq Attaq model so interesting.
Shaquille O’Neal, who played with the Phoenix Suns during two seasons from 2008 to 2009, could easily have been wearing this shoe and it be a great model, just like his original Orlando Magic colorways (note the touches of the Suns logo sun streaks at the ankle).
While the NBA was much more conservative about footwear in the 1990s, the ease of constrictions has allowed for many shoes that feature an array of colors to be worn on the court in games, making the black/purple/orange triad on The Big Shaqtus version something of a “what if?” kind of shoe.
It’s a new classic take on an old classic model, and it’s one of the best I’ve seen done.
–SD
The original Reebok Shaq Attaq is the best signature shoe in Shaquille O’Neal’s footwear catalog. It’s also arguably the best Reebok shoe in the brand’s basketball category history.
It’s sleek, smooth, high (but not atrociously high), comfortable, and different.
In a sense, Reebok’s Shaq Attaq was an answer to all brands where shoes for big men on the hardwood were often unattractive, clunky or slappy, and burdened with straps and heavy rubber. The Shaq Attaq was a new kind of shoe for a new kind of athlete. Just as Shaq himself was quick, exciting, smooth, and new, so was his Shaq Attaq.
The azure blue accents, the mixture of suede and leather, the blue tongue Pump, and that unforgettable “SHAQ” Dunkman logo makes the shoe a classic of the classics.
–SD
The Reebok Shaqnosis has always been a shoe that stood out, namely for its so-called hypnotizing, concentric design. It was an attention-getter in its initial release and still somewhat in its retro glory.
I’ve never been a fan — namely, because of the fact that concentric circles on a big, wide shoe aren’t attractive to me in and of itself, and the fact that Shaquille O’Neal’s original player-only version balanced the drastic design with a higher cut, making his non-retail version significantly easier on the eyes that the standard mid.
Well, Reebok Classic has resurrected the Shaqnosis in a special “Barracks” colorway that pays homage to Shaq’s military upbringing.
And I like it a lot.
One reason that I like the Barracks version is that it eschews the mapping of the traditional color placement and leans on the upper being totally monochromatic; this gives the Shaqnosis a much smoother look and layout and makes it easier on the eyes.
A second reason for my favorable opinion of the Barracks is that a soft cargo green is used with dark grey and tan, which are attractive colors for a lifestyle sneaker; the Shaqnosis is literally transformed into something other than a walking spiral and becomes more of something that flows when it comes to wear.
Thirdly, because of the color change from black to white to softer hues, the silhouette of the shoe stands out, and the shape is very attractive. Even if the Shaqnosis weren’t known as Shaq’s signature shoe, the design of the sneaker, in its shape, is impressive. The Barracks colorway helps encourage the life to the shoe to be extended, by breaking away from its heritage.
Reebok scores high on this.
–SD
SNDVR 