When Steph Curry walked into the Kia Center on Tuesday night for the Warriors-Magic matchup, the Internet immediately went into detective mode — not because of his pregame fit, but because of what he had on his feet. With Curry now officially a sneaker free agent after parting ways with Under Armour last week, every footwear choice is being scrutinized, and this one was unmistakable: a crisp, white-and-black pair of Reebok Shaqnosis, the iconic signature shoe of none other than Shaquille O’Neal.
It wasn’t a random choice. Shaq started his legendary NBA career in Orlando, making the Shaqnosis one of the most recognizable silhouettes connected to the city. Curry strolling into the building wearing Shaq’s most famous Reebok model felt like a tribute — or maybe a playful message that the two-time MVP is wide open for experimentation now that he’s no longer tied to UA.
Curry’s First Days as a Sneaker Free Agent
Curry had been with Under Armour since 2013, quickly becoming the face of their entire basketball line. From the Curry 1 through the Curry 11, his signature line grew into one of the most successful modern NBA sneaker franchises. Last week, however, the two sides officially split, leaving Curry and his independently operated Curry Brand free to chart a new path.
Before his UA era, Curry signed with Nike during his first four seasons in the league. Now, for the first time in over a decade, he’s fully unattached — and clearly enjoying the freedom. In recent games he’s rotated through multiple brands, testing silhouettes, sending sneakerhead Twitter into a frenzy, and reminding everyone that the marketplace for superstar endorsers is about to get really interesting.
Why the Shaqnosis Is a Perfect Statement Shoe
The Shaqnosis originally debuted in 1995 and remains one of the most recognizable shoes in basketball sneaker history. The hypnotic spiral pattern, the oversized build, and the unmistakable 90s style make it a cult classic. Steph wearing them not only nods to Shaq’s legacy — it also subtly acknowledges Shaq’s long relationship with Reebok.
Shaquille O’Neal has been tied to Reebok since his early days in the league. Even after leaving the brand as a player, he eventually returned in a massive way: he acquired ownership stakes in Reebok’s basketball and footwear division, helping bring back retro classics like the Shaqnosis and the Shaq Attaq. Curry showing up in a Shaq-designed sneaker at a Shaq-associated arena? That didn’t happen by coincidence.
What’s Next for Steph?
That’s the big question. Curry Brand is now independent, but the four-time champ hasn’t ruled out signing a new deal with another sneaker powerhouse. Until that happens, expect him to continue mixing things up — maybe more retros, maybe more tributes, and definitely more sneaker-watch moments that keep fans guessing.
For now, Curry’s Shaqnosis moment is a fun bridge between eras. One of the greatest shooters ever paying homage to the most dominant big man ever — and doing it in Orlando? Sneaker storytelling doesn’t get much better than that.