Devin Booker’s sneaker game is evolving, and he’s making sure to pay tribute to the legends who came before him. His Nike Book 1 PE line keeps pulling from Arizona’s culture and the Phoenix Suns’ rich history. Not too long ago, he honored two-time MVP Steve Nash with a Cradle Rock-inspired pair. Now, he’s turned his attention to another Suns backcourt legend—Penny Hardaway. But while the gesture seems well-intended, not everyone is thrilled.
Booker took things up a notch by personally signing and gifting his Penny Hardaway-inspired Book 1 PE to the former Suns star. Nice Kicks shared the moment, posting, “Devin Booker signed and gifted his ‘Suns’ Nike Penny5-inspired Book 1 PE to Penny Hardaway…” Sounds like a meaningful tribute, right? Well, the internet isn’t rallying behind it, that’s for sure.
For those unaware, Booker’s latest sneaker takes cues from Hardaway Air Penny V “Suns” colorway from 2012. He brought its bold aesthetic into his signature line, merging nostalgia with his growing influence in the league.
As for the design, the shoe itself sports a gradient midsole, shifting from deep purple at the toe to a fiery orange at the heel—much like the original Air Penny V. Its upper is mostly black and grey, and if you look closely, you’ll spot a Penny-style logo on the tongue, further sealing the tribute. Yet, despite the thoughtfulness behind the design, not all fans are sold.
Fans react to Devin Booker’s gift for Penny Hardaway
Booker might have thought he was doing something special by gifting Penny Hardaway a pair of his signature sneakers, but not everyone sees it that way. Some fans didn’t waste a second before clowning the move, with one Instagram user flat-out saying, “Penny don’t want them sh*ts [laughing emoji].” Ouch. That’s got to sting.
If you’ve been following the buzz around Booker’s sneakers, you already know they’ve been a hit-or-miss among fans. Released in March, they’ve drawn mixed reactions—some think they’re just fine, while others can’t get past their flaws. And judging by one fan’s brutal take, the latter group is growing. “Ain’t a single soul buying em.. Booker just giving em away at this point,” one user wrote.
That might sound harsh, but there’s a legitimate issue here—Nike reportedly made the inside of the sole softer than the outside, leading to some serious knee trouble when landing on the court. Its no surprise, then, that another fan chimed in with, “And THIS is why yall KEEP rolling ankles.”
And for those thinking it’s just this specific colorway, think again. One user clarified that the Book 1 series just isn’t doing it for him, saying, “There’s no colorway of shoe that can make me like them as a signature shoe.“
Still, not everyone is completely out on them. Some fans admit there’s at least something to like, even if they’re not fully sold. As one person put it, “Shoe has no personalities of its own nice color ways tho.” So, while Devin Booker’s sneakers may not be a total disaster, it’s safe to say they’re still fighting an uphill battle for respect.
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