Definitely not a strawman, and the discussion is the difference between buying retail and resale.
Unless your a pro player, all sneaker purchases are luxury purchases. Nobody NEEDS sneakers that cost more than $50.
I can't speak to other's financial situations so I wont.
I personally only buy for retail cause that's just how I enjoy the playing the game, not because resale prices would force me into financial hardship. Never bought kicks on credit, and never will.
Jordans are Veblen goods now. The more people pay, the more the demand. Nike, shoe stores, and resellers have no interest in stopping this.
Saying they’re Veblen is a big statement. I think some of the characteristics are there. Except Jordans are not of substantially better quality relative to their counterparts. I typically associate that with a Veblen good. Still I think your point is well taken in that I think the interest (read: demand) increases as the price and manufactured sense of exclusivity increases.