“Most Wanted”: James Harden’s newest sneaker design pays tribute to step-back jumper

The latest edition of the Adidas Harden Vol. 3 doesn’t mince words with anybody who dares to guard James Harden: he has “the quickest stepback” in the game.

Draped in white and gold with black details, this colorway mimics an old-timey “Wanted” poster.

On the back heels of the sneakers, it reads “Most” on the left shoe and “Wanted” on the right. Across the black strip on the toe box lays a beautiful gold, Old-West pattern. On the tongue and outsole of the shoe are stats and accolades of his-- most prominently (from what I can see) the first first-ever 60-point triple double across the tongue. And, of course, the pièce de résistance: “the quickest stepback” written in bold letters on the inner part of the shoe.

The Beard’s greatest move personified in a sneaker.

Also is it too dorky to mention that I love the theme because it’s an Old-West theme and Harden plays in the WESTern Conference? Too lame? Probably.

Now, I would love to say that Adidas just chose a random time to pay homage to Harden’s go-to move. I don’t think that that is the case, though. Mind you, Harden has already made a living and tons of highlights off of this move; these two being my favorite:

So I don’t think Adidas said to Harden, “it’s time we go with the step-back.”

Instead, it was because on Dec. 17 against the Jazz, Harden solidified his move as the most polarizing in the game when he hit an infamous *ahem* double step-back and baited Ricky Rubio into fouling him on a three. I’m not going to post it because we’ve seen it plenty of times. but it became the center of controversy. In typical Adidas fashion, they ran with it instead of hiding from it.

Remember when they designed that “rookie” definition hoodie for Donovan Mitchell?

Exactly.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s a double entendre. Not only is it “Most Wanted” because it’s a hated move, but it’s also collected the most bodies.

By the way, Harden did hit a step-back over Rubio to seal the game.

That wasn’t a travel.

The shoes’ release date is TBD.