Honestly, the first time I saw the LaMelo Ball Rick and Morty shoes, I thought I was looking at a glitch in the Matrix. Or, you know, a portal gone wrong. One foot was screaming neon slime green while the other was a deep, frantic rose red. It was chaotic. It was loud. It was exactly what we should have expected from a guy who has "Not From Here" tattooed on his body.
Most sneaker collaborations feel like a corporate handshake. A logo slapped on a heel, maybe a custom insole nobody sees. But these? These felt like LaMelo and the designers at Puma actually sat down, watched a marathon of Adult Swim, and decided to make something that would make a traditionalist’s head explode.
Whether you’re a die-hard hooper or just someone who likes weird gear, the LaMelo Ball Rick and Morty shoes—specifically the MB.01 that started it all—shifted the landscape of what a signature basketball shoe could be. It wasn't just a shoe; it was a cultural moment that proved Puma was back in the game for real.
The MB.01: The Mismatched Chaos That Started It All
The original LaMelo Ball Rick and Morty shoes dropped in February 2022. If you were trying to grab a pair at retail ($135 back then), you probably remember the absolute bloodbath on the Puma website. They sold out in seconds. Why? Because the MB.01 was already a great-looking shoe, but the Rick and Morty skin made it legendary.
The left shoe is "Jasmine Green"—a direct nod to Rick’s portal fluid. The right shoe is "Nrgy Rose," representing... well, mostly just the general vibe of the show's interdimensional madness.
Why the design actually worked
- The Tongues: You’ve got Rick’s face on the inside of the left tongue and Morty’s panicked expression on the right.
- The Graphics: Portal graphics on the lace keepers and "Rick and Morty" branding on the toe box.
- The Tech: It wasn't just a gimmick. It had the NITRO foam.
It’s rare for a performance shoe to be this "extra" and still be taken seriously on the court. Usually, when a shoe looks like a cartoon, it plays like a toy. Not these. People were wearing them in the NBA, at the local Y, and on the street with jeans. It bridged a gap that most brands struggle to even find.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Collaboration
A lot of people think this was a one-and-done deal. They see the green and red MB.01 and think that’s the whole story. But as of 2026, we’ve actually seen this partnership evolve through three different iterations.
First, the MB.01 set the bar. Then came the MB.02, which went for a more "Safety Yellow" and "Elektro Green" look, continuing the mismatched theme but with the wing-like textures of the second signature model.
And then, just recently, the PUMA MB.05 Rick and Morty arrived in late 2025. This one really leaned into the "Aqua" tones of Rick’s hair and Morty’s signature yellow shirt. It’s a cleaner, more refined version of the chaos, but it still keeps that "look at me" energy that Melo is known for.
The Resale Reality
If you're looking for the original MB.01s today, prepare your wallet. While they retailed for around $135, secondary markets like StockX and Flight Club have seen them go for anywhere between $300 and $600 depending on the size and "deadstock" (brand new) status.
Why do they hold value? It's the "Melo Effect." He's the king of the youth right now. Anything he touches that has a bit of personality becomes an instant collectible. Plus, the MB.01 is widely considered the best-performing shoe of his entire line so far.
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Performance: Do They Actually Play Well?
You can have the coolest looking shoes in the multiverse, but if they’re bricks on the court, nobody cares. Luckily, the LaMelo Ball Rick and Morty shoes are legitimate performance beasts.
The NITRO foam is the star of the show. It’s nitrogen-injected foam that gives you a ton of "squish" without feeling like you’re sinking into mud. It’s bouncy.
Traction is another story. On a clean court? You’re Velcro. You can stop on a dime. But here's the kicker: the translucent outsoles on the Rick and Morty editions love to pick up dust. If you’re playing on a dirty court at a local gym, you’re going to be wiping your soles every two plays. It’s a small price to pay for the aesthetics, but it’s something every hooper should know.
Choosing Your Pair: MB.01 vs. MB.05
If you’re trying to decide which version to hunt down, it really comes down to your personal style and how much you're willing to spend.
- The MB.01 (2022): The OG. The loudest. The most expensive. If you want the "Grinch" vibe but with an Adult Swim twist, this is the one.
- The MB.02 (2023): More technical-looking. Better support, but some say it’s a bit stiffer.
- The MB.05 (2025): The new school. It feels more "designer" and less "cartoonish," despite being a literal cartoon collab. It uses the newer NITROFOAM Elite, which is a bit lighter.
Honestly, the MB.01 is still the "Grail" for most collectors. It has a simplicity in its chaos that the later models haven't quite captured.
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How to Style Them Without Looking Like a Portal
Let’s be real: wearing mismatched neon shoes is a choice. You can’t just throw these on with a business casual outfit and hope for the best.
Most people pair them with neutral colors—black sweats, grey hoodies—to let the shoes do the talking. Puma also released a full capsule of apparel, including those "Get Schwifty" hoodies and shorts, which are great if you want to go full fanboy.
But the "pro move" is usually just the shoes and a simple Charlotte Hornets jersey or a plain white tee. You don't want to overcomplicate an outfit when your feet look like they're about to jump through a dimension.
The Legacy of the Mismatch
What LaMelo did with these shoes was prove that the "mismatched" look wasn't just for 12-year-olds. He made it cool for grown men to wear two different colored shoes.
He didn't invent the concept, but he popularized it for a new generation. Now, you see "Be You" colorways and other mismatched drops from almost every major brand. Puma and Melo just happened to do it with a property that perfectly matched his "alien" persona.
It’s rare to see a collaboration where the athlete and the show actually make sense together. Rick Sanchez is a chaotic genius; LaMelo Ball is a chaotic genius on the hardwood. It’s a match made in... well, whatever dimension they’re from.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors and Players
- Check the Outsole: If you're buying for performance, look for the MB.05 or MB.01, but be prepared to wipe for dust.
- Verify Authenticity: Because these are high-value resale items, always use a platform with a verification process. Fake MB.01s are everywhere.
- Size Up? Most people find the MB line runs pretty true to size, but if you have a wide foot, the MB.01 can be a bit snug in the midfoot.
- Watch the Drop Cycles: Puma has been known to do restocks of "classic" colorways or 2.0 versions. Keep an eye on the Puma app for any surprise drops.
The LaMelo Ball Rick and Morty shoes aren't just a trend that died in 2022. They are the blueprint for how a signature line should handle collaborations: with balls-to-the-wall design and actual performance to back it up. If you can find a pair at a decent price, they’re one of the few shoes in the last five years that actually lived up to the hype.