Steph Curry Breaks the Internet with Drake Nikes and Emotional Kobe Bryant Tribute in Toronto
If you thought the NBA offseason was the only time for drama, you clearly haven’t been watching Stephen Curry’s feet lately. The Golden State Warriors superstar has turned the simple act of walking into an arena into a full-blown spectator sport. Since parting ways with Under Armour last month, Curry has become the most high-profile “sneaker free agent” in recent memory, and honestly? He is absolutely loving the chaos he’s causing.
This past Sunday, ahead of a clash with the Toronto Raptors, Curry didn’t just step out; he made a statement. Or rather, two statements. One was a nod to the local legend, and the other was a heartfelt tribute to a fallen icon.
Curry Bows to the 6 God with Nike NOCTA Glides
Let’s be real: walking into Scotiabank Arena without paying homage to Drake is practically a technical foul in Toronto. Curry knows the assignment. As he strolled down the tunnel, cameras caught him rocking a pair of Drake’s signature Nike NOCTA Glide sneakers.
He opted for the black and white colorway, which, let’s face it, is a clean look that goes with just about anything—even an NBA championship pedigree. For those not obsessing over sneaker drops at 3 AM, the NOCTA Glide is inspired by the Zoom Flight 95s. It’s got that chunky, bug-eyed look in the sole that screams 90s nostalgia but with a modern, breathable textile upper.
It was a savvy move. Curry is technically on the market, and showing love to Drake—who is essentially the mascot of the Raptors at this point—is a great way to endear yourself to the hostile crowd before you drop 30 points on their head. But for sneakerheads, seeing Curry in Nikes again feels like seeing an ex-girlfriend at a coffee shop; it’s familiar, confusing, and exciting all at once.
A Heartfelt Tribute: The “Northern Lights” Kobe 11s
If the Drake shoes were for the culture, the warm-up kicks were for the soul. Once Curry hit the hardwood to get his shots up, he swapped the NOCTAs for something with significantly more emotional weight: the Kobe 11s in the “Northern Lights” colorway.
This wasn’t a random choice pulled from the back of a closet. The symbolism here is heavy enough to crush a backboard. These are the exact same sneakers Kobe Bryant wore during the 2016 All-Star Game in Toronto. That game marked Kobe’s final All-Star appearance, a moment where the entire league stopped to give flowers to the Black Mamba. Curry was his teammate that night.
The shoes themselves are gorgeous. They feature a sleek black Flyknit upper with glowing green and Persian violet accents on the sole, designed to mimic the luminescence of the aurora borealis. It’s a shoe that nods to the city of Toronto while screaming “Nike Basketball Royalty.” By lacing these up, Curry wasn’t just warming up; he was keeping a memory alive. It’s the kind of gesture that reminds you that behind the business of basketball, there’s a brotherhood that runs deep.
The Wildest Sneaker Free Agency Tour Continues
This isn’t the first time in recent weeks that Curry has played sneaker roulette. Since the split with Under Armour, the man has been treating the NBA court like his personal testing lab. We’ve seen him in Devin Booker’s Nike Book 1s, which probably made Phil Knight smile. We’ve seen him in Anthony Edwards’ signature Adidas shoes (which prompted a hilarious reaction from Ant-Man himself). He even wore Klay Thompson’s Anta KT 11s on Christmas Day, proving he’s a supportive teammate first and a brand ambassador second.
It’s rare to see a player of Curry’s caliber without a locked-in shoe deal. Usually, these guys are signed, sealed, and delivered before they even win their first MVP. But at 37 years old, Curry is rewriting the rulebook. He is expected to explore new partnerships next year, but right now? He’s enjoying the variety.
What’s Next for Curry?
The Warriors are currently sitting at 16-15, trying to find a rhythm. Curry is trying to lead them to a fourth straight win. But while the box scores matter, the sneaker watch has become the subplot of the season. Will he go back to the Swoosh? Will he shock the world and sign with New Balance? Or will he keep us guessing every single night?
One thing is for sure: Curry knows exactly what he’s doing. Whether he’s wearing Drake’s kicks to appease the Toronto crowd or Kobe’s kicks to honor a legend, every step he takes is calculated. And we’re all just watching his feet.
