You already know New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul is fast. But thanks to his third signature Jordan Brand sneaker Jordan CP3.III -- equipped with a brand-new midsole cushioning system called Podulon that promises increased comfort and responsiveness on the basketball court -- the two-time NBA All-Star is about to get even faster. With the CP3.III set to launch through select retailers on December 26 for $118 before going nationwide on January 2, StreetLevel caught up with CP3 and Jordan Brand Senior Footwear Designer Jason Mayden to discuss the process behind building Team Jordan's latest basketball sneaker.

StreetLevel: First things first, Chris: Before we talk about some of the other features on the CP3.III, it's no secret that you're a big fan of bowling. But it's a little surprising to see that you've incorporated a bowling reference into your signature sneaker again by including the shoe size on each sneaker just like they do on bowling shoes. Why is bowling a part of your signature shoe once again?

Chris Paul: (laughs) Man, because bowling is a part of who I am. Basketball is obviously a huge element of my life, but off the court, bowling is a part of what I do. That's what I do in my spare time.

All three of your signature sneakers have touched on personal aspects of your life, though, like family, faith and the city of New Orleans. Bowling is that important to you?

CP: Oh, definitely! Man, I'm going bowling tonight. And the thing is that it's such a small element of the shoe but it's personal. You have to know me to understand that on bowling shoes, there's gonna be the size listed on the shoe, and that's part of my sneaker now. It bring that element of bowling into my sneaker in a small way.

Some of the other Jordan Brand guys like Carmelo Anthony add those personal touches, too, but you take it to another level. On this sneaker, you've got a bunch of family crests on the midsole, the bowling reference and a stinger running down the tongue of each shoe for your team, the New Orleans Hornets. How do you and Jason collaborate to get all of these different personal touches into the final design of the sneaker?

Jason Mayden: It really starts with a conversation. Normally, when we sit down with the first initial sketch, we're just brainstorming and vibing and figuring out what direction we want to go in. During that time period, Chris is really good about mentioning different things he has going on both on and off the court. We use those as inspiration points. I try to take as many notes as possible and then include those details in a way that doesn't hinder the overall aesthetic of the sneaker.

CP: Yeah, we talk about all different types of things. The first signature shoe I did, there were different things on there and then we went back like, 'Man, I wish we could have put this on there or that on there.' Then we did the same thing with the second shoe and brought new elements into the third shoe. We keep trying to make the shoe as personal as possible, so that when people go out and get this shoe, they're not only getting a pair of sneakers, they're also getting a piece of me and more about my story.

Outside of the bowling reference, the first thing that'll jump out to most people are the family crests. Now, we understand the crest for your grandfather and the number 61 you included to note his age when he died in 2002. We understand the crest for your parents and the number 28 you included for the number of years they've been married. But what's the deal with the crest for your brother C.J. and the number 15?

CP: (laughs) Funny you should ask that because my teammate Peja Stojakovic is real funny when it comes to my shoe stuff. He always comes up to me and asks me when my shoe release part is so he can schedule his around mine and stuff. But anyway, he actually picked up the shoe recently and saw the number 15 next to C.J.'s name and asked me the same thing and I had to explain it to him. Me and my brother only got to play basketball on the same team once during all the years that we both played ball. That was in high school during his senior year and my sophomore year [at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, North Carolina]. It was a playoff game and the coaches put me in for the last 15 seconds of the game and that's the only opportunity I ever got to play basketball with my brother.

Okay, makes sense. So with all these different elements going into the sneaker, when did you and Jason actually sit down to start working on it?

CP: We get together waaay in advance every year...

JM: I think it was like June this year, right after Chris got back from the Olympics...

CP: Yeah, right after the Olympics. And every time we get ready to do a new shoe, it's all about making it better. And that's not only appearance-wise but performance, too. This shoe is unbelievable. When I wore it for the first time in a game this season, I called Jay immediately after the game like, 'Amazing.'

What makes your third sneaker better than the first two?

CP: Everything, man. From the Podulon cushioning system to the whole design and all the personal touches, this is the best sneaker I've ever worn in all my years playing basketball. It's funny. With my second shoe, there was a stopper on the inside for when I drive into the lane and stop really fast and change direction. I had no idea how we were going to top that. But this third shoe is as good as it gets. I'm already trying to figure out how we can go above and beyond this sneaker for next season. It's gonna be tough.

Was there anything you learned building your first two signature shoes that helped this time around?

CP: You already learn different things when you're putting together a sneaker. One of the things we really wanted to do with this shoe was make it an off-the-court sneaker, too--something you could wear on the court and off the court with your friends. I think we accomplished that.

Okay, last thing. You've obviously been part of Team Jordan for three years now. 'Melo has been part of it with you. Dwyane Wade just joined Team Jordan this season. So tell the truth: Do you guys do a lot of trash-talking about who has the best Jordan sneaker?

CP: Of course we do! (laughs)

Really? Who wins?

CP: Nah, I'm just kidding, man. (laughs) The best thing about being with Jordan Brand is that it's really like a brotherhood. Everyone doesn't have the opportunity to wear Jordans. On a nightly basis in the NBA, you see a plethora of Nike and Adidas and all these other shoes, but very few guys can wear Jordan. We're all in that elite company, though, and we take special pride in that. We never forget that when we're creating a sneaker that comes with the Jordan logo on it.