They were L.A. Gears. Big high tops that were popular for that era. Signed by an journeyman NBA player almost no one had heard of — Corey Crowder.
But the Utah Jazz PR staff discovered the shoes in 2016, just taking up space in Vivint Smart Home Arena, and the Jazz gave them fresh life by giving them to one of the few people to whom they would have meeting: Corey’s son, Jae.
Something about that gesture has never left Jae Crowder, now 27 and the newest Jazz player 26 seasons after his father played for Utah.