LOS ANGELES -- Dallas Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons returned Sunday after missing seven games due to an ankle injury.
His signature shoes were nowhere to be seen, however.
Parsons, who has a $1 million per year endorsement deal with the Chinese shoe company Anta, wore Jordan Brand sneakers with the logos covered during the Mavs' 100-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers because of concerns that his shoes contributed to the sprain and bone bruise to his left ankle.
"I just am trying to figure out if it was one of the shoes that I was wearing that bothered me," Parsons told ESPNDallas.com. "I just wanted to fix them and make them stiffer.
"The injury that I had, [Mavs athletic trainer Casey Smith] was telling me how [the Anta shoes] were a little too flexible in the ankle, so I guess they said Jordan Brand had a stiffer shoe. In the meantime, I blacked out the logo and am trying to wear those until my new shoe is out."
Parsons met with Anta representatives during the Mavs' trip to Portland, Oregon, at the beginning of their three-game road trip. The company agreed to alter his shoes to meet specifications suggested by Smith.
"They're going to fix my shoe and hopefully send it back soon so I can get back in Anta," Parsons said.
Parsons suffered the sprain and bone bruise when he landed after grabbing a rebound in the Feb. 20 win over the Houston Rockets. However, his left ankle started bothering him before the All-Star break.
Parsons signed a five-year deal with Anta before last season. At the time, Parsons made more from Anta than his NBA salary, as he was a second-round pick on his rookie deal with the Rockets. Parsons can opt out of his shoe contract after next season, according to sources.
"For the past over one year's cooperation between Anta and Chandler, both parties have been working together closely to make products satisfied by Chandler," Anta overseas sports marketing manager Shawn Liu said in a text message. "According to Chandler's new situation, we already started making adjustment to the CP1 shoes, to make sure the products are exactly according to [the] player's need and request. We believe Chandler will be back in CP1 shoes very soon. Under all circumstances, Anta's No.1 priority is to satisfy players' needs, this is what keeps motivating Anta to grow and improve."
Other NBA players who endorse Anta include Mavs point guard Rajon Rondo, Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Garnett, Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson and Indiana Pacers power forward Luis Scola.
Parsons, who signed a three-year, $46 million deal with the Mavs as a restricted free agent in July, had 11 points, six rebounds and two assists in his return. His performance was highlighted by a Jordan-worthy crossover dribble, causing Lakers forward Ryan Kelly to fall down before Parsons finished with a pretty left-handed layup between two defenders.
"It was my first ever crossover of my career," Parsons joked. "I just wish it was [against] someone more athletic than me. I'll take it, though. I'll definitely take it."