Chandler Parsons is Wearing Jordans Instead of Antas After Returning From Ankle Injury
If you pay close attention to our NBA Kicks of the Night roundup each morning, you may have noticed today that Mavs forward Chandler Parsons was sporting the Air Jordan X Retro “Venom Green” on Sunday against the Lakers.
Which, for any other player would be nothing more than a pretty dope sneaker choice. But it’s noteworthy in Parsons’ case because he signed a five-year deal with Chinese sneaker brand Anta before last season.
So why the change? Parsons says his Anta kicks might have led to the ankle injury that kept him out of the lineup for seven games, and the better feel of the Jordans can protect his feet better—at least until Anta re-works his signature sneakers. Uh oh…
From ESPN Dallas:
Dallas Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons returned Sunday after missing seven games due to an ankle injury.
His signature shoes were nowhere to be seen, however.
Parsons, who has a $1 million per year endorsement deal with the Chinese shoe company Anta, wore Jordan Brand sneakers with the logos covered during the Mavs’ 100-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers because of concerns that his shoes contributed to the sprain and bone bruise to his left ankle.
“I just am trying to figure out if it was one of the shoes that I was wearing that bothered me,” Parsons told ESPNDallas.com. “I just wanted to fix them and make them stiffer.
“The injury that I had, [Mavs athletic trainer Casey Smith] was telling me how [the Anta shoes] were a little too flexible in the ankle, so I guess they said Jordan Brand had a stiffer shoe. In the meantime, I blacked out the logo and am trying to wear those until my new shoe is out.”
Parsons met with Anta representatives during the Mavs’ trip to Portland, Oregon, at the beginning of their three-game road trip. The company agreed to alter his shoes to meet specifications suggested by Smith.
“They’re going to fix my shoe and hopefully send it back soon so I can get back in Anta,” Parsons said.
Parsons suffered the sprain and bone bruise when he landed after grabbing a rebound in the Feb. 20 win over the Houston Rockets. However, his left ankle started bothering him before the All-Star break.
Parsons signed a five-year deal with Anta before last season. At the time, Parsons made more from Anta than his NBA salary, as he was a second-round pick on his rookie deal with the Rockets. Parsons can opt out of his shoe contract after next season, according to sources.
