One month ago, James Harden cashed in with his feet. The Houston Rockets superstar left Nike to sign a 13-year, $200 million deal with Adidas. Not bad for a guy who spent his first three NBA seasons coming off the bench.
Apparently, Harden has not cleaned out his closet yet. The 26-year-old was spotted Friday wearing Nike Air Jordan sneakers.
James Harden -- Adidas Drops the Hammer ... NO MORE AIR JORDANS!! http://t.co/61P7g2iH6u
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) September 16, 2015
Yes, that is Harden's girlfriend Khloe Kardashian walking outside of a movie theater with him (because of course there is a Kardashian involved), and she was actually wearing an Adidas sweatshirt and sweatpants.
Harden's Adidas deal does not actually start until Oct. 1. At that point, he cannot Air Jordan shoes in public.
"That's part of the deal," Mark King, president of Adidas Group North America, told ESPN.
King added to ESPN's Darren Rovell, "The difference between football and basketball is that a guy like Aaron Rodgers doesn't have a walk-around shoe," King said. "Harden does, and he will be in our lifestyle stuff."
Adidas' lifestyle branch includes such entertainers as Kanye West and Big Sean, as well as athletes. Khloe Kardashian is West's sister-in-law (through his marriage to sister Kim).
Harden tried to redeem himself Tuesday night/Wednesday morning at the club 1 OAK in West Hollywood. He wasn't wearing Nikes and he gave Adidas a strong plug to TMZ.
"Nike is cool," he said. "Adidas is about to be amazing. Swag!"
Harden finished second in MVP voting in 2014-15 behind Stephen Curry. The Rockets open the preseason on Oct. 6.
