Kristian Ferrell
Russell Westbrook, the American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets, is known for his speed and style on the court. Westbrook's choice of basketball shoes is as dynamic as his playing style. Over the years, Westbrook has worn several basketball shoes, including the Jordan Why Not Zer0 line, with the first shoe in the line, the Why Not Zer0.1, released in 2018. Westbrook has also worn mainline Jordans, from the 29 to the 31, as well as custom-made PEs from the Jordan brand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Jordan Brand |
| Shoe Line | Why Not? |
| Shoe Model | Zer0.1, Zer0.2, Zer0.3, Zer0.4, Zer0.6 |
| Shoe Size | 15 |
| Style | Bottom-loaded, full-length Zoom Air encased in Phylon |
| Performance | Superior traction, responsive cushioning, secure fit |
| Other | Striking silhouette, off-the-wall colorways |
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What You'll Learn
Russell Westbrook's signature shoe line with Jordan Brand
Russell Westbrook first signed with Jordan Brand in 2013 for a five-year endorsement deal. In 2017, after his breakout season in 2016-2017, Jordan Brand gave him a lucrative total endorsement deal, the exact amount of which was not disclosed. In early 2018, Westbrook landed his first signature shoe with Jordan Brand, the Why Not Zer0.1. The shoe was designed with Westbrook's unique playstyle in mind, focusing on impact protection and bounce due to his extremely explosive and quick play. The shoe also featured bright colorways that reflected Westbrook's personality.
The Why Not Zer0.2 and Zer0.3 expanded on the foundation of the Zer0.1, with the former featuring an unlocked Zoom Air unit and the latter an articulated Zoom Air unit. The fourth iteration, the Zer0.4, featured a double-stacked Zoom Air unit. Westbrook has since released three more shoes in the same line, with the latest being the Why Not Zer0.6, which offers superior traction, responsive cushioning, and a secure fit.
The Why Not series by Jordan Brand reflects Westbrook's mindset on and off the court, which is driven by the phrase "Why not?". Westbrook uses this phrase to motivate himself and others to never give up on their dreams. His unrelenting positivity, combined with his standout play, has earned him NBA All-Star and MVP accolades. Westbrook's signature shoe line with Jordan Brand is a testament to his success and impact on the court.
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The Why Not Zer0.1, Why Not Zer0.2, and Why Not Zer0.3
Russell Westbrook landed his first signature shoe with Jordan Brand in early 2018, the Why Not Zer0.1. Since then, he has released five more shoes in the same line, including the Why Not Zer0.2 and Why Not Zer0.3.
The Why Not Zer0.2, Westbrook's second signature shoe with Jordan Brand, debuted on January 10, 2019, in the "Future History" colourway. The shoe honours those close to Westbrook and features details like his family crest on the tongue and a black block on the midsole as a tribute to his late best friend, Khelcey Barrs III. It also has an inside-out tag on the outsole and responsive Zoom Air cushioning. The shoe's design has been described as "organised chaos", with a bulkier structure and a strap at the midfoot.
The Why Not Zer0.3 continues the signature style of the Why Not line, with a unique and somewhat "wacky" look. The shoe has a snug fit with an inner bootie filled with plush padding, especially at the heel. It features Zoom Turbo at the forefoot, which provides impact protection and bounce-back. The midsole design is exaggerated with zigzags, providing lateral support, and includes a TPU Shank Plate for torsional support and a smooth heel-to-toe transition. The shoe also has an Internal Heel Counter, providing additional heel support.
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Jordan Brand shoes worn before his signature line
Russell Westbrook III is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He made his NBA debut in 2008 and played for the Oklahoma City Thunder for 11 seasons. In 2019, he was traded to the Houston Rockets, and then to the Washington Wizards in 2020. Westbrook is a nine-time NBA All-Star and earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) for the 2016-17 season.
Westbrook signed with Jordan Brand in 2012, becoming the headliner for the annual Air Jordan model. Before his signature line with Jordan Brand, Westbrook wore the Air Jordan 30.5 during his MVP run in 2016-17. This shoe was a custom-made hybrid of the Air Jordan 30 and 31 models. Westbrook's size 15 player-exclusive pairs featured loud graphics, wild prints, and custom "Why Not?" phrasing.
In addition to the Air Jordan 30.5, Westbrook also wore other Jordan Brand shoes before his signature line. These included the Air Jordan 30 and Air Jordan 31, which were the basis for the custom 30.5 model. The Air Jordan 31, in particular, marked a return to more nostalgic designs that drew on the language of its 30-year predecessor. This shift in design direction led to Westbrook's desire to create a signature shoe that was truly unique and a better reflection of his personality and style.
Westbrook's first signature shoe with Jordan Brand, the Why Not Zer0.1, was released in early 2018. He has since released five more shoes in the same line, with the most recent being the Why Not Zer0.6. Westbrook's signature line is known for its quirky and non-traditional design elements, such as sloping contours, bright colour accents, and distinctive branding.
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The importance of performance and style in Westbrook's shoe choices
Russell Westbrook, a point guard for the Denver Nuggets, is known for his electrifying style of play, characterised by long three-pointers and fast-paced dunks. To accommodate his dynamic movements on the court, Westbrook requires basketball shoes that provide ample support and cushioning. Over the years, Westbrook has worn a variety of shoes, with his choices reflecting a blend of performance and style.
In 2013, Westbrook signed an endorsement deal with Jordan Brand, marking the beginning of a long-term partnership. During his historic MVP run in the 2016-17 season, Westbrook wore custom-made Air Jordan 30.5 shoes, a hybrid model combining elements from the Air Jordan 30 and 31 designs. This choice demonstrated Westbrook's affinity for the Jordan Brand and set the tone for future collaborations.
Westbrook's signature shoe with Jordan Brand, the Why Not Zer0.1, debuted in 2018 and marked a significant milestone in his career. The shoe not only delivered exceptional performance but also featured bright colourways that reflected Westbrook's vibrant personality. The subsequent releases in the Why Not series, including the Zer0.2 and Zer0.3, built upon this foundation, with each iteration focusing on impact protection and bounce to complement Westbrook's explosive playing style.
The design of Westbrook's signature shoes extends beyond performance, mirroring his fashion sense and attitude. The "Why Not?" mantra that drives Westbrook's mindset is embodied in the shoe's collar, posing the question when zipped up. The Jordan Why Not series, including the Zer0.6, offers superior traction, responsive cushioning, and a secure fit, catering to the demands of agile and explosive players like Westbrook himself.
In summary, Westbrook's shoe choices emphasise the importance of both performance and style. While his primary focus is on selecting shoes that provide the necessary support and cushioning for his dynamic playing style, he also values self-expression and the extension of his personality through his footwear choices. This blend of performance and style has resulted in signature shoes that not only enhance his gameplay but also reflect his unique identity as a basketball icon.
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How Westbrook's shoe choices reflect his unique play style
Russell Westbrook is known for his unique play style in the NBA. A point guard, Westbrook is one of two players in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season, which he has achieved four times. He is also the NBA's all-time leader in career triple-doubles. Westbrook's play style is characterised by his ability to score near the basket, his rebounding skills, durability, and his intensity as a competitor. He is also known for his speed and confidence in shooting long three-pointers, as well as his powerful dunks.
To support his dynamic and explosive play style, Westbrook requires basketball shoes that provide more support and cushioning. Westbrook's choice of footwear reflects his need for stability and comfort on the court. He has often been seen wearing bulkier shoes compared to other point guards, prioritising function over fashion.
In 2013, Westbrook signed an endorsement deal with Jordan Brand, which lasted five years. During this time, he wore a series of mainline Jordans, from the Jordan 29 to the Jordan 31, as well as some retro models. In 2018, Westbrook released his first signature shoe with Jordan Brand, the Why Not Zer0.1. This shoe was designed with Westbrook's input, taking into consideration his style on and off the court. The Why Not series prioritised impact protection and bounce, catering to Westbrook's quick and explosive play style. The subsequent releases in the Why Not line, such as the Zer0.2, Zer0.3, and Zer0.4, featured different Zoom Air technologies in the forefoot to enhance performance.
The colourways of the Why Not series also reflected Westbrook's vibrant personality and fashion sense. The bright and bold designs stood out on the court and became synonymous with Westbrook's signature style. While the Why Not series bore his name and input, Westbrook has also been known to wear other models like the Adidas Harden Vol.4 and the Jordan Luka 3, showcasing his versatility and willingness to experiment with different shoes to find the perfect fit for his game.
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Frequently asked questions
Russell Westbrook has a signature shoe with Jordan Brand called the Why Not Zer0.1.
Westbrook's first priority when creating the sneaker was performance. The shoe also features bright colourways that reflect Westbrook’s personality and style.
Before signing with Jordan Brand, Westbrook wore a series of mainline Jordans, from the 29 up until the 31, mixed with some retros. In 2016-17, during his MVP run, he wore custom-made PEs from Jordan: the Air Jordan 30.5.
Size 15.
LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Michael Jordan, Nikola Jokic, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, and LaMelo Ball.
