You’ve seen them. Even if you aren't a "sneakerhead" or a die-hard fan of Adult Swim’s chaotic sci-fi hit, you’ve definitely noticed those neon mismatched kicks glowing under the arena lights. We're talking about the Rick and Morty basketball shoes, specifically the PUMA MB.01 collaboration that basically broke the internet when it first dropped. It wasn't just a shoe; it was a cultural collision.
Honestly, basketball shoes used to be kinda boring. You had your standard team colors, maybe a "Bred" colorway here and there, and the occasional flashy signature model. Then LaMelo Ball stepped onto the scene with PUMA. He didn't just want a shoe; he wanted something "Not From Here." When he teamed up with Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon’s creation, it felt like the first time a performance hoop shoe actually captured the unhinged energy of internet culture.
The Story Behind the PUMA MB.01 Rick and Morty Basketball Shoes
It’s rare for a brand to take a risk on a mismatched pair for a debut signature line. Usually, the first shoe is the "safe" one. PUMA ignored that. They leaned into the "mismatched" trend where the left shoe is a vibrant, slime green (Morty) and the right shoe is a neon, "Interdimensional Portal" red-pink (Rick).
LaMelo Ball himself is a bit of an anomaly in the NBA. His playstyle is flashy, erratic, and highly effective—sorta like a Rick Sanchez experiment gone right. By the time the Rick and Morty basketball shoes hit the shelves in February 2022, the hype was already at a fever pitch. People weren't just buying them to play ball; they were buying them as pieces of art.
The design details are actually pretty insane if you look closely. You've got Rick’s face on the inside of the tongue of the right shoe and Morty on the left. The "portal" graphics wrap around the lace unit. It doesn't feel like a lazy "slap a logo on it" collab. It feels like the shoe was birthed in a garage in a multiverse where basketball is the primary religion.
Why Performance Actually Matters Here
Look, we've all seen cool-looking shoes that feel like strapping plywood to your feet. These aren't that. Underneath that wild "Portal" aesthetic is PUMA’s Nitro Foam technology.
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Nitro Foam is basically nitrogen-infused TPU. It’s light. It’s bouncy. It gives you that "court feel" that guards like LaMelo need to make those quick lateral cuts without feeling like they’re sinking into the floor. The traction pattern is another highlight. It uses a non-slip rubber compound that looks like wings—or maybe alien feathers—which provides a literal "stop on a dime" grip.
If you’re actually planning to play in Rick and Morty basketball shoes, you’ll notice the lockdown is surprisingly tight. The monomesh upper is breathable but doesn't stretch out after three games. It’s a legitimate performance beast wrapped in a Saturday night cartoon aesthetic.
The Resale Market and the "Rick and Morty" Effect
If you missed the initial retail drop at $135, I have some bad news. These things don't go cheap. On platforms like StockX and GOAT, the original MB.01 Rick and Morty colorway consistently trades for double or triple its original price.
Why? Because it’s a "first."
It was the first major crossover of its kind that actually looked good. Usually, "character" shoes look like they're for toddlers. These looked like high-fashion streetgear. The secondary market reacted accordingly. Even as PUMA released subsequent versions—like the MB.02 and MB.03 with different themes—nothing has quite touched the lightning-in-a-bottle success of that first Rick and Morty drop.
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Common Misconceptions About These Kicks
A lot of people think these were a limited "one and done" promo. That’s not quite true. PUMA saw the dollar signs and eventually released slides, hoodies, and even a "Rick and Morty" version of the RS-X lifestyle sneaker.
Another weird myth: that they’re too heavy. People see the mid-cut silhouette and assume they’re clunky. In reality, the MB.01 is one of the lighter signature shoes of its era.
How to Spot Fakes in a Multiverse of Knockoffs
Because the Rick and Morty basketball shoes became so valuable, the market got flooded with "reps" (replicas). If you're hunting for a pair today, you have to be careful.
- Check the Glow: The neon colors on the authentic pairs are almost blinding. Fakes often look dull or slightly "off" in hue.
- The Box Art: The box for the MB.01 collab is just as detailed as the shoe. It features portal graphics and specific branding that cheap knockoffs usually mess up.
- The Nitro Branding: Look at the midsole. The "Nitro" text should be crisp. If the molding looks "mushy" or the font is slightly different, walk away.
- The Smell: Real PUMAs have a specific factory scent. Fakes often smell like industrial glue or cheap plastic.
The Evolution: Enter the MB.02 and MB.03
PUMA didn't stop at the first model. They followed up with the MB.02 "Adventures," which took a slightly more muted approach but still kept the spirit alive. Then came the MB.03, which went full-blown "alien slime."
The MB.03 features "scratch marks" on the side, revealing a neon underlay. It looks like something that was attacked by a Cronenberg monster. While some purists still swear by the MB.01, the MB.03 offers better ankle support and a more "evolved" traction pattern. It’s a polarizing design, but then again, so is the show.
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What People Get Wrong About Celebrity Collabs
Most people think a player just picks a cartoon they like. It’s way more corporate than that, but with LaMelo, it felt authentic. He grew up in the social media era where being "weird" is a brand. Choosing Rick and Morty basketball shoes wasn't just a marketing gimmick; it was a reflection of his "One of One" personality.
Real-World Durability
Let's talk about the "dust" issue. If you’re playing on a dusty local court, the translucent outsoles on some versions of these shoes can act like a vacuum. You’ll find yourself wiping your soles every two plays. If you’re on a pristine hardwood floor, you’re golden. But for the streetballers? You might want to stick to the solid rubber outsole versions.
Future Outlook: Will We See an MB.04 Rick and Morty?
Rumors in the sneaker world always fly fast. With the show’s eighth season on the horizon and LaMelo Ball remaining the face of PUMA Basketball, another collab is almost inevitable. Fans are speculating we might see a "Picnic Rick" or "Evil Morty" themed colorway next.
But honestly, the "OG" will always be the king. It represented a shift in how basketball brands talk to younger fans. It wasn't about "heritage" or "legacy"—it was about what’s fun right now.
Actionable Advice for Buyers and Players
If you are actually going to buy a pair of Rick and Morty basketball shoes today, here is the move:
- Size Up (Slightly): PUMA’s MB line tends to run a bit narrow. If you have wide feet, go up half a size. Trust me, your pinky toes will thank you.
- Verify Through Legit App: If you’re buying from a private seller on eBay or Instagram, use a third-party authentication service. Don't just trust "the vibes."
- Rotate Your Pair: If you're lucky enough to own these, don't wear them every single day. The Nitro foam is great, but like any foam, it needs time to decompress between uses to keep its "pop."
- Keep the Box: For this specific collab, the box significantly adds to the resale value. If you ever plan to offload them to fund your next pair, keep that cardboard pristine.
- Clean Carefully: The monomesh material can trap dirt easily. Use a soft-bristled brush and a specialized sneaker cleaner. Do not, under any circumstances, throw these in the washing machine unless you want to ruin the Nitro foam's integrity.
The intersection of pop culture and performance sports is only getting more crowded, but the Rick and Morty basketball shoes set a bar that’s incredibly hard to clear. They are loud, they are obnoxious, and they are technically excellent—much like the characters they're named after. Whether you're crossing someone up on the court or just walking through a mall, these shoes make a statement that you aren't afraid of a little chaos.