Michael Jordan is ‘robbing the hood’

STEPHON Marbury is one former NBA star who does not want to be like Mike — not in his post-match career, anyway.

WITH the proliferation of exorbitantly priced sneakers — marketed to inner-city youth and costing as much as a car payment — former NBA star Stephon Marbury has long touted his brand as the bargain alternative.

Now that Marbury is bringing the brand back, he’s calling out some of those he views as the biggest culprits: Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

Marbury, who played in China after his years with the New York Knicks and produced his low-cost Starbury sneaker line there, tweeted that Jordan has been “robbing the hood” with his high-priced Nike Air Jordan brand.

Jordan has been robbing the hood since. Kids dying for shoes and the only face this dude makes is I don't care. The time will change!

— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) October 5, 2015

Jordan wasn’t Marbury’s only target. The Brooklyn native threw some shade at King James as well, when a Twitter follower pointed out the Cavaliers star’s shoes also sell for well over $200.

“He’s a follower not even giving that any energy,” tweeted Marbury, who initially launched his Starbury brand in 2006 as a partnership with retailer Steve & Barry’s. With a retail price of just $15, they sold well, but Steve & Barry’s eventually went out of business. Now Marbury is back in business, and they’ll be produced by the same factories that make Jordans.

Home boy your paying 200 for Jordan's and they make them for 5 dollars. The shoes are made in China in the same places. Stay calm we coming!

— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) October 4, 2015

Marbury announced on Instagram last week that his $15 signature “Starbury” shoes were making their return to stores soon.

Marbury posted different sketches of the shoes, posted with the message: “#starburyFlavors COMING SOON.”

In 2006, Marbury first partnered with Steve & Barry’s for the Starbury launch. The shoes offered an alternative to Nike and Reebok for a much more affordable price. To test their on-court performance, he wore the shoes during NBA games.

Marbury even joked about an internet meme about his sneakers.

“Haha! They forgot how I bring it,” Marbury said on Instagram. “We took a break for a min but we’re coming back stronger then ever!”

Originally published as Michael Jordan is ‘robbing the hood’