SN: Can you speak more on the functional changes of the PG 2?
TH: We just want to make sure that we really deliver a multi-directional shoe. In terms of traction, we want to make sure that it’s tuned perfectly so that any direction Paul or any player wants to go, it’s there for him. We just make sure he’s locked in, and all players need to be locked in. When he’s coming down the court and popping those threes or coming around those screens really hard, he really likes that snug fit on the heel
Let their personality come out, and that can be what separates the shoe from the rest.
Tony Hardman on the saturated signature shoe market
so he’s not slipping inside the shoe. His needs didn’t change from the PG1, but we always talk about “evolution vs. revolution”, kinda like what you see with the Kobe line where Eric Avar will tweak the shoe a little bit to make it a little better each time out. We try to do that, and it’s definitely more challenging at the $110 price-point than it is at the Kobe price-point, but I think we’ve been able to improve every part of the shoe.
SN: With so many signature shoes out on the market, how do you, as a designer, ensure your work stands out?
TH: It’s a very saturated market for signature shoes right now, but it’s also interesting and fun. I think the main thing you have to do is be in tune with your athlete and let their personality come out, and that can be what separates the shoe from the rest. As long as you’re really bringing their personality out and what’s unique to them, the people that want to connect with it will. That’s what we try to do – keep it really authentic to him. He’s really relatable to kids because he’s a super humble guy, but also this superstar. As long as we can keep along that path and continue to innovate and make his shoe great for him, then we’ll hit that mark.