The 2023 NBA Finals is underway with the Denver Nuggets fighting for the championship with the Miami Heat. Most of the world will be tuning into the game and the players, but the more discerning fans will also be checking out the shoes said players are wearing.

One that’s captured eyeballs recently is the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance TWO WXY v3 worn by Nuggets guard and NB-endorsed athlete, Jamal Murray. The shoes were rarely seen since its initial release in April 2022. And for all the time its missed in the spotlight, Murray breaks them out on the biggest stage in basketball.

Much of its absence was because—it was never made for sale. The original release of the pair took place by way of donations to the local American Athletic Union to outfit their basketball teams. Re NB basketball shoes, it’s nowhere as close in popularity as the iconic 550. The same 550s that Aimé Leon Dore has helped elevate into mainstream attention. Even though they’re intrinsically a contemporary design, we’ll see if ALD’s Teddy Santis and his Midas touch can turn these pairs into gold.

NB has benefitted plenty from their partnership with his ALD imprint, with many of their collaborative pairs selling out about as Playoffs tickets.

Now, with Jamal Murray bringing the TWO WXY v3 to the fore, even one year removed from its release, should ALD and NB reconsider their stance and give the pair an overdue wide release? When the powers that be decide so, would you cop a pair?

Anyway, in other sneaker-related news, have a first look at the New Balance 990v6 “Cream/Beige”.