If you’ve ever sat courtside at an NBA game or watched a high-def replay of a Sacramento Kings fast break, you might have noticed something that looks like a high-schooler’s mistake. DeMar DeRozan, one of the most lethal mid-range scorers in the history of the game, doesn't tie his shoes. At least, not the way your coach taught you.
While the rest of the league is double-knotting their Nikes to avoid a catastrophic ankle roll, DeRozan is out there with laces dangling. It looks dangerous. It looks lazy. Honestly, it looks like he’s about to trip over his own feet and end up on a Shaqtin' a Fool highlight reel.
But he doesn’t trip. He drops 35 points instead.
Why DeMar DeRozan Shoes Untied Became a Locker Room Legend
The mystery of the DeMar DeRozan shoes untied habit went viral relatively recently, thanks to former NBA player Jeff Teague. On his Club 520 podcast, Teague recounted a story from a few years back when his Minnesota Timberwolves were facing DeRozan’s San Antonio Spurs. Teague, a self-proclaimed sneakerhead, was eyeing DeMar’s Kobe PEs (Player Exclusives).
"I looked down," Teague said, "and I said, 'This man ain't got his shoe tied.'"
Teague genuinely thought DeRozan was taking the night off or wasn't feeling well. You don't play elite-level basketball with loose laces. It's physics. You need lockdown. You need lateral support. If the shoe isn't snug, your foot slides, and you lose that split-second of traction required for a crossover.
DeRozan proceeded to "cook" the Timberwolves, scoring 35 points with his laces flopping around like he was just walking to the grocery store.
The "Trench Baby" Logic
On that same podcast, DeRozan finally explained himself. He didn't forget to tie them. He isn't trying to start a fashion trend. It's a habit born out of a very specific childhood fear: creasing his kicks.
Growing up in Compton, a fresh pair of sneakers was a prized possession. When DeMar was 11 years old, he got a pair of Air Jordan 9s for Christmas. His parents told him those were his "school shoes" and warned him not to ruin them. But being a hoop-obsessed kid, he wanted to wear them in a game.
To prevent the dreaded toe-box crease that comes from the foot flexing during a tight lace-up, young DeMar decided to play with them completely loose. He wanted them to look like he was just "walking around" even while he was crossing people up.
"I never wanted to tie my shoe or put a crease in them," DeRozan admitted. He’s been playing that way for over two decades now.
The Technical Reality: How Does He Not Get Injured?
Let's be real for a second. Playing in the NBA with DeMar DeRozan shoes untied is a nightmare for a team's training staff. Modern basketball shoes like the Nike Kobe line—DeMar’s go-to—are engineered for maximum "lockdown."
When you leave the laces slack, you're essentially relying on the inner bootie and the natural shape of the shoe to keep your foot in place. Lonzo Ball once described DeRozan’s style as "skating" on the court because there's zero stress on the laces.
- The Fresh Factor: DeRozan wears a brand-new pair of Kobes almost every single game. Because the foam and materials are stiff and haven't been broken in, they provide enough structural integrity to hold his foot without needing the laces to be suffocatingly tight.
- The Footwork: DeRozan is widely considered to have the best footwork in the league, a byproduct of his obsession with Kobe Bryant. Because he is so precise with his movements, he likely avoids the jagged, "out of control" steps that lead to shoes flying off.
- The Custom Fit: As a premier Nike athlete, DeMar often wears PEs that are built specifically for his foot shape. While they look like standard retail Kobe 5s or 6s, the internal padding might be adjusted to give him that "snug but loose" feel he craves.
Is it actually "untied"?
To be technically accurate, they aren't always 100% loose. He usually pulls them just enough so they stay on, but he doesn't pull the tension through the eyelets. The knot, if there is one, is often decorative or incredibly low-tension. It's the equivalent of wearing slip-ons to play 48 minutes of professional basketball.
The Kobe Connection
You can't talk about DeMar’s shoes without talking about Kobe Bryant. DeRozan is the unofficial torchbearer for the Nike Kobe line. While other players rotate through various brands, DeMar is almost exclusively seen in Kobes.
There is a certain irony here. Kobe Bryant was a perfectionist. He famously worked with Nike designers to shave millimeters off the outsoles to get better court feel. He wanted his shoes to be an extension of his body. DeRozan takes that high-performance Ferrari of a shoe and basically drives it with the seatbelt unbuckled.
It shouldn't work. But for a guy who has made six All-Star teams and scored over 23,000 career points, who are we to tell him to tie his laces?
What This Means for Your Own Game
If you're reading this thinking about trying the "untied" look at your local YMCA, maybe don't.
DeMar is an anomaly. He has elite ankle strength developed over years of professional conditioning. For the average person, playing with loose laces is a one-way ticket to a Grade 3 sprain.
However, there is a lesson here about comfort versus restriction. Many players over-tie their shoes, leading to foot numbness or "hot spots" on the top of the foot. DeRozan’s habit highlights that sometimes, a bit more "give" in the shoe allows for more natural foot movement—provided you have the strength to support it.
Actionable Takeaways for Sneakerheads
If you're obsessed with keeping your shoes crease-free like DeMar, you don't have to risk your ankles.
- Use Crease Guards: Plastic inserts can help maintain the shape of the toe box without needing to leave your laces loose.
- Sizing Matters: If you want a "loose" feel that stays secure, consider going down half a size in shoes with a sock-like internal construction.
- Lace Pressure: Instead of one big pull at the top, adjust the tension individually at each eyelet. This gives you lockdown where you need it (the midfoot) and room where you want it (the toes).
DeMar DeRozan’s "shoes untied" saga is one of those rare NBA quirks that sounds like a myth until you see the footage. It's a mix of Compton street culture, a bit of superstition, and a whole lot of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Next time you see him hit a turnaround jumper from the elbow, don't look at the ball. Look at the floor. Those laces are probably dancing.
To keep your own gear in top shape while staying safe on the court, focus on finding a lacing tension that eliminates "heel slip" while still allowing your toes to splay naturally. You might not drop 35 on Jeff Teague, but your feet will thank you.