With the basketball footwear category down in sales for consecutive years, shoe companies used the high-visibility opportunity of February’s NBA All-Star Weekend to showcase more traditional colorblocking options and design. Most shoes featured some combination of a red/gold/white or blue/silver/white variety, which is not necessarily a bad thing—peep the adidas TS Pro Model in red/gold—but it offered a stark contrast from past years when All-Stars and skills contestants would come out rocking unseen hotness.

However, the rooks and “sophomores” were afforded more creative freedom in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge Game, as participants just wore their typical team jerseys. Reebok made sure to utilize the event by putting Boston Celtics second-year guard Rajon Rondo in a pair of shamrock-laden ATR Vertical III’s—surely the sneaker highlight of the weekend.

The shoe is done up in delicious Celtic tones (is it just me, or does white/gold/green just work?) with the breathable TPU-piece colored in a deep shade of weathered gold. Of course, the most endearing element of the Rondo Verticals simply has to be the strategically placed felt three-leaf clovers that extend into the inner lining. I think Reebok only released five of these to the public, so I’m counting my blessings on receiving a pair.

And yes, I’m rooting for the Celtics to win the Eastern Finals and then the NBA Championship, and no, I’m not a bandwagon fan. The fact is, I’m a Wisconsinite and not a fan of the Milwaukee Bucks. I just root for my favorite players which include:

(1.-Baron Davis, Warriors—He plays with so much charisma and exuberance he’s hard not to like. He has a bit of playground disco, and is really versatile on the court.
(2.-Bobby Jackson, Rockets—He’s been among my favorites since his Minnesota Golden Gophers days, knee-high socks included.
(3.-Ray Allen, Celtics—Used to roll with the Bucks; Pure shooter.
(4.-Rafer Alston, Rockets—And1 Mixtape Volume 1 anyone?
(5.- Monta Ellis, Warriors—He’s quick, athletic, and fun to watch.

With that said, Go Celtics!

Thanks Mandy!