As I mentioned here, Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas has a penchant for rocking kicks below the ankles, but Agent Zero also experimented with mids early on in his career. Gil wore the sleek, Asimovian a3 Superstar Ultra during his formative years as an NBA’er. The shoe is distinguished by a full-length a3 cushioning unit and “cat tongue” inner lining, a velvet-esque material that soaked up sweat very effectively when your feet got moist. The shoe was complimented by a TPU support bar out back and a straightfoward lacing system that provided uncompromising fit. This black/silver pair was worn by Arenas on the road, and features his “G0A” logo in blue and copper respectively. Images courtesy of eBay seller j_boogie2K3.

Though adidas frontman Gilbert Arenas is famous for sticking to low top product on-court, the Washington Wizards court sported the luxurious adidas a3 Superstar Ultra Mid early on in his career. The Superstar Ultra featured full-length a3 cartridges in a foward-canted position, which provided unmatched comfort and delightful court feel. Unfortunately, the all-encompassing cushioning SSU offered an unstable ride and lead to some separation at the midsole. In turn, Adi. felt it best to recall their product from the NBA, NCAA, and retail divisions, making this white/blue Agent Zero sample with his logo “G0A” stiched on the upper extremely rare. Images courtesy of eBay seller

j_boogie2K3.

Journeyman drive the latest Mercedes Benz to practice; journeyman also get hit off with player exclusives. Kurt Thomas, no slight on the big guy, is the epitome of the voyaging NBA’er, peregrinating from team to team, collecting checks, making money, contributing to his team when necessary, and having a pretty good time with goldigging women at the club. (Jeff Garcia, didn’t T.O. call you gay? Hope you’re not too displeased!) Carmellas and Carmelos aside, KT is a member of the vaunted adidas Brotherhood. In ’06, the brand hit him off with a gorgeous white/blue/orange iteration of a3 Clutch Mid, a racing inspired shoe complimented by heel-oriented a3 struts creating a delightful feel underfoot. Comfortable and easy on the eyes. (I’m thinking Jeff Garcia again.) Thomas’s initials are stitched on the ankle strap, while his number 40 is inscribed on the heel. If you’re feeling the Clutch, head over to eBay where you can grab them here. Garcia’s wife not included.

Fact: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Mike Miller might have his bellybutton pierced. Fact: Mike Miller’s adidas player samples fetch exorbitant amounts on eBay, and are sought after by MM fanatics worldwide, much like Ponce de Leon aggressively explored for the Fountain of Youth. Ai-ight. The latter is false for sure, but the former, I think that’s true. Can’t tell you when I saw Miller shirtless, but I think its better that we both don’t know. And even if you haven’t seen the T’Wolves forward topless, it’s hard not to appreciate his special make-up pair of adidas a3 Decade II’s from his disastrous Memphis Grizzlies days. (Well, to clarify, Mike is a perennial All-Star snub. The rest of his team was doo-doo however.) Much like the Grizz, the Decade Deux proved to be dismal performer on the ‘wood, as its a3-micro heel-oriented cushioning was unbelievably unresponsive, taking months to break in. Overall fit was horrible, because the lacing vamp was far too wide for the narrowly-set shoe. Traction and forefoot cushion were admirable, though!

Miller’s version was distinguished by a buttery sky blue/yellow color scheme and features his number, 33, inscribed along the forefoot. Highlights from the shoe include the translucent a3 pods that are highlighted with just a tint of sky blue. Sick. Oh, and “Miller Time” is stitched along the heel; don’t worry–we at Sneakerfiles aren’t really sure what “that” is, but we assume it’s some sort of ascension into hoops nirvana that only (alleged) belly button-pierced ballplayers would know about.