7 Ice-Cold Denver Colourways for the NBA Finals
All hail the 6 ft 10 Serbian unicorn! Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets are beginning their NBA championship campaign, and the high altitude won’t be the only thing taking our breath away. Nuggets-themed sneaker colourways have long been ice-cold. From Chauncey Billups’ adidas PEs to Carmelo Anthony’s coveted Air Jordan PEs, there are plenty of options to lace in support of the Nuggets.
Sneaker Freaker is here to drop dimes like the Joker.
Are the Miami Heat more your flavour? Check out seven of their super-hot colourways for the NBA Finals.
Jordan Melo 1.5 (2004)Jordan Melo 1.5 (2004)
What better way to get hyped for the NBA Finals than with some classic Carmelo Anthony colourways? Recently announcing his retirement in May, Melo has some absolutely legendary sneakers of the hardwood. The Jordan Melo 1.5 is invariably one of the toughest; the Jordan Brand awarded Melo with the first ever non-MJ signature sneaker in 2004. A cult classic for hoops-heads across the globe, the silhouette combined elements from both the Air Jordan 1 and Air Jordan 2. It was retroed in 2014.
Air Jordan 12 ‘Melo’ PE (2004)Air Jordan 12 ‘Melo’ PE (2004)
Carmelo Anthony has some of the most coveted Jumpman PEs in the game. The Air Jordan 12 ‘Melo’ sits at the apotheosis of Melo PEs, the colourway so popular that they’ve hit retail on three separate occasions. For all you OG Melo fanatics, you’ll remember that the Air Jordan 12 also emblazoned the cover of NBA Live 2005. What a classic! If you’re not a fan of the AJ12, the Air Jordan 2 is another ice-cold option.
Reebok Question Mid ‘Denver’ (2007) Reebok Question Mid ‘Denver’ (2007)
Whilst a lot of us find ourselves YouTubing Allen Iverson’s Philadelphia 76ers highlight reels (try Game 1 vs Lakers, 2001 NBA Finals), it’s easy to overlook the fact that Bubba Chuck actually played two seasons in Denver. Of course, Reebok switched up the colour palette of several AI models to inaugurate the move, but it’s tough to top the Question Mid. Joining a vault of retro Allen Iverson Reebok models in recent years, Iverson’s Denver colourways will no doubt get a shot in the arm with the Nuggets making the NBA Finals. The retro arrived in 2022.
Nike Hyperdunk X ‘Nikola Jokić’ (2022)Nike Hyperdunk X ‘Nikola Jokić’ (2022)
Why not lean entirely into the Nikola Jokić-mania and lace the very same shoes the two-time MVP colossal laced? One of the favourites of the point centre, the Nike Hyperdunk X, appeared in Denver Nuggets colourways in 2022. Exemplifying Jovic’s no-fuss, media-averse approach to the game, the stripped-back Hyperdunk X is one for those looking for an understated look. Nikola Jokić is also partial to the Zoom GT Jump and Rize 2.
New Balance TWO WXY v3 (2023)New Balance TWO WXY v3 (2023)
Jamal Murray may have ice in his veins, but his sneaker game has also been cold since the beginning of the Playoffs. The superlative scorer laced a pair of blue, red, and yellow New Balance TWO WXY v3 as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers to take a 3-0 lead (Denver would go on to eventually sweep that Lakers team in LA). One for those that hoop, the highly technical sneaker is built with FuelCell midsoles amplified by ABZORB cushioning.
adidas TS Lightning Creator Chauncey Billups PEadidas TS Lightning Creator Chauncey Billups PE
Chauncey Billups was a big fan of the TS Lightning Creator, and adidas paid homage to his time in Denver with a sunny rendition of the cult classic. One deep from adi’s vault, the model was emblazoned with various teams’ colours across its tenure in the late-2000s/early 2010s, with players like Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady and Dwight Howard lacing the silhouette. Bonus points if you find a pair with ‘Mr. Big Shot’ on the forefoot!
Air Jordan Melo M4 ‘Denver’ PE (2007)Air Jordan Melo M4 ‘Denver’ PE (2007)
Another Melo milestone, the Air Jordan Melo M4, flew under the radar when it first arrived in 2008, but Sneaker Freaker tend to believe it deserved more attention. One of baddest colourways was a special PE makeup for Melo, which involved Denver Nuggets colours alongside a Carmelo Anthony signature lasered on the uppers.
For more classic NBA colourways, make sure to check out seven super hot Miami sneakers.
