Honestly, nobody saw the Rick and Morty shoes LaMelo Ball drop coming back in 2022. It felt like a fever dream. A professional NBA star—a guy with a legitimate "Not From Here" tattoo—teaming up with a show about a drunk scientist and his traumatized grandson. But when that first PUMA MB.01 hit the shelves, it didn't just sell out; it basically reset what a signature basketball shoe could look like.
The chaos of it all is why they're still everywhere.
The Mismatched Chaos of the MB.01
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. The MB.01 "Rick and Morty" isn't a pair of shoes so much as it is two different shoes forced to live together. The left one is a neon "Jasmine Green" that looks like it was dipped in portal fluid. The right one is a "Nrgy Rose" red that screams for attention.
You’ve got Rick's face on the inside of the left tongue and Morty's on the right. It’s loud. It’s obnoxious. And it fits LaMelo Ball’s playing style perfectly.
PUMA didn't just slap a logo on these. They actually built them for the court. We’re talking full-length NITRO foam in the midsole. If you've ever played in them, you know they have that weirdly satisfying bounce. They feel light but stable. The monomesh upper keeps them breathable, though some people complain that the traction picks up dust if the court isn't pristine.
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Why the Resale Market Lost Its Mind
When these first dropped on February 18, 2022, the retail price was a modest $135. Within weeks, StockX and GOAT were seeing sales north of $400. Even now, years later, you’re looking at a massive premium if you want a deadstock pair.
People love the story. It wasn't just a "colorway." It was a cultural moment where the NBA and Adult Swim collided. Usually, these collabs feel forced—like a corporate handshake. This one felt like Melo actually watches the show.
From MB.01 to the MB.05: The Evolution
The success of the first pair meant PUMA wasn't going to stop there. They've kept the portal open for years.
- MB.02 Rick and Morty: This one dropped for the 2023 All-Star Weekend. Instead of the solid green and red, it went for a gradient look. Purple to green on the left, red to yellow on the right. It was a bit more refined, but maybe lacked the "punch" of the original.
- MB.05 Rick and Morty: The most recent entry (November 2025) keeps the mismatched tradition alive but goes for an "Electric Peppermint" and "Rickie Orange" vibe.
The MB.05 is arguably the better performance shoe. The traction is stickier, and the lockdown feels tighter because of the updated wing-style overlays. But for the collectors? It’s still the MB.01 or nothing.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Tech
A lot of people think these are just "lifestyle" sneakers. "Oh, you're wearing the cartoon shoes, you must just be a fan."
Actually, the Rick and Morty shoes LaMelo Ball collection contains some of PUMA's most advanced tech. The NITRO foam is Nitrogen-infused, which is a fancy way of saying they figured out how to make the foam last longer without losing its "mushy" feel. Unlike traditional EVA foam that bottoms out after three months of heavy runs, these hold their shape.
Also, the "Rare" branding on the outsole isn't just for show. The rubber compound used on the Rick and Morty editions is often slightly different from the standard MB.01s to accommodate the translucent colors.
Sizing and Comfort: The Real Talk
If you’re hunting for a pair today, listen up. These run True to Size (TTS), but they are a bit narrow in the midfoot.
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If you have wide feet (shoutout to the flat-foot gang), you might want to go up half a size. The "space-age" materials don't stretch much. If they’re tight on day one, they’re probably going to stay tight.
The "Not From Here" Legacy
What really makes this collaboration work is the "Not From Here" slogan. Melo has always positioned himself as an outsider, a guy who took a different path to the league. Rick Sanchez is the ultimate outsider. It’s a match made in... well, a different dimension.
The tiny details matter too.
- The Rick and Morty branding on the toe box.
- The portal graphics on the lace guards.
- The "Be You" message hidden on the tongue.
It’s these Easter eggs that keep fans coming back even as we get into the MB.04 and MB.05 iterations.
Actionable Steps for Collectors and Hoopers
If you’re looking to pick up a pair of Rick and Morty shoes LaMelo Ball today, don't just jump at the first eBay listing you see.
- Check the Insoles: Fakes are rampant. On the authentic MB.01, the Rick and Morty graphics on the insole should be crisp, not blurry.
- The "Squish" Test: Authentic NITRO foam has a specific density. If the midsole feels like hard plastic, it's a knockoff.
- Clean the Outsoles: If you're actually playing in these, use a damp microfiber cloth. The translucent rubber on the Rick and Morty pairs is a magnet for court dust, which can turn your "Rare" traction into a slip-and-slide.
- Storage Matters: Because of the bright neon dyes, these shoes are prone to "yellowing" if left in direct sunlight. Keep them in a cool, dark spot if you're trying to preserve that highlighter-green glow.
The Rick and Morty collab isn't just a trend anymore; it's a staple of modern sneaker history. Whether you're a hooper looking for elite cushioning or a collector chasing that 2022 nostalgia, these shoes remain the gold standard for how to do a crossover right.