# Handmade Homage High Tops The Sak DR. J Pro Leather Pays Tribute to an NBA Legend By Michael Hines | Published 2011-09-08 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sak-dr-j-pro-leather References: [highsnobiety](http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/2011/09/07/sak-for-converse-dr-j-pro-leather-for-fall-2011/) & [converse](http://www.converse.com/) Sneaker lovers and sports fans are going to flip when they see the new Sak Dr. J Pro Leather. [Converse](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shai-001-1) has collaborated with renowned shoe craftsman Ryusaku Hiruma to create a limited-edition run of the Dr. J Pro Leather. For those who don't know, Dr. J (Julius Erving) is one of the all-time basketball greats. Dr. J is widely regarded as the man who helped usher the [NBA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bb-4000-li-basketball-shoes) into its current style of play with his epic slam dunks and graceful moves. The Sak Dr. J Pro Leather is a fitting tribute to the NBA great and is handmade entirely out of leather which gives the shoe a refined look not typically found in a [tennis shoe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reebok-x-ghostwrite). The shoe will be produced in an ultra-limited run of 24 pairs, with each pair selling for a whopping $600. Nobody said tributes were cheap. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 42% | Activity: 55% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Limited-edition Collaborations:** Opportunity for brands to create exclusive and high-value products by partnering with renowned craftsmen. - **Handmade Luxury Shoes:** Growing demand for handmade, high-quality footwear that offers a refined look and premium materials. - **Athlete Tribute Collections:** Rise of limited-edition collections that pay homage to iconic athletes and their contributions to sports culture. ### Who This Affects Most - **Footwear:** Footwear brands can explore the market for high-end, handmade sneakers, targeting customers looking for luxury and exclusivity. - **Fashion and Sports Retail:** Retailers can capitalize on the popularity of athlete tribute collections by showcasing limited-edition collaborations in their stores. - **Collectibles and Memorabilia:** Opportunity for collectible marketplaces and auction houses to cater to sports fans interested in acquiring exclusive tribute products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Basketball-Honoring Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bb-4000-li-basketball-shoes.md) - [Timeless Revived Basketball Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kareem-abduljabbar.md) - [Sneaker-Inspired Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drip.md) - [Reimagined Low-Cut Suede Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jabbar-low.md) - [Artist-Backed Breakdancing Sneaker](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jam-sneaker.md) - [Collaborative Basketball Player High-Tops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shai-gilgeousalexander-x-converse-weapon.md) - [Signature Court Shoe Styles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shai-001-1.md) - [Luxury Retro-Style Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sons-rogue-baseline-hi-top-tan.md) - [Collaborative Stealthy Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jabbar-dress-lo.md)