Nike has had a vice grip on the basketball world since the days of Michael Jordan and really hasn't been seriously challenged since then. Many players chose to wear Nike’s because of the Want to be like Mike campaign. If you want to be the best, you do and wear what the best do and wear. With players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James also loyal to Nike, you would think the reign of the swoosh was far from over.  

But lately there has been a revolution of sorts not only in basketball but the other major sports as well. Under Armour and Adidas have done their best to catch Nike by signing big-name players, giving them their own shoe—the same players that would have automatically signed with Nike three years ago. For the first time in a while, some of the top players in the game don’t have Nikes on their feet.  

Stephen Curry, the reigning MVP, is signed to Under Armour and his Curry One’s have done pretty well. Easily the most successful Under Armour Basketball shoe in the company’s history. Under Armour has also shown their commitment to basketball shoes when they offered former MVP Kevin Durant a $300 Million contract (he ended up staying with Nike).  

You also have Adidas who is right on Nike’s heels. With top players like Derrick Rose, John Wall, Damian Lillard and Andrew Wiggins, Adidas has snatched a lot of talent away from Nike. At this moment they have the best chance at dethroning Nike as the top basketball sponsor at the professional level. Especially if MVP runner up James Harden decides to sign with them after being offered $200 Million to come to Adidas. All this is very interesting, but it won’t impact my team right? Not so sure.  

Over the last couple years, the amount of money these shoe companies have been willing to pay top athletes more and more.  Last year, LeBron James made $45 Million in endorsements alone. Kevin Durant made $35 Million. And depending on the structure of this $200 Million deal, Harden may be right with them next season. With top players making this much money in their off time, you may see the Spurs model popping up in other cities and players willing to play in smaller markets.  

We saw a glimpse of it this off season with LaMarcus Aldridge turning down the Lakers to join Tim Duncan in San Antonio. We’ve also seen star players like Duncan willing to take less money to give their organization more room to sign talent. The days of one star player on each roster are very much behind us.  

These super stars forming “Big Three’s” and taking pay cuts may very well be the future of this league, and it will make for great rivalries and matchups. My only concern is will it make it harder for teams like Philadelphia and Utah to pick themselves up and compete. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.