Tonight 14 teams have their eyes on the #1 draft pick. Over the years a number of top selections have gone on to become standouts on the court with their play and also on the shelves with their sneakers. In the spirit of the NBA Draft Lottery we take a look back at 11 top picks that made an impact with their footwear. Which #1 pick had the most important kick career? Tell us by voting in the poll.<\/p>\n
Player:<\/strong> Allen Iverson In 1996 Allen Iverson headlined a star-studded draft as the #1 pick. After wearing Nikes and Air Jordan 11s at Georgetown, Reebok swooped him up as the new face of their brand. The deal was dynamite as AI delivered on the court. The shoes were wildly popular with his rookie sneaker the Reebok Question<\/strong> the most famous. Later signatures such as the Reebok Answer 1<\/strong>, Reebok Answer IV<\/strong>, and Reebok Answer V<\/strong> were also embraced.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> David Robinson After an illustrious career at Navy, David Robinson was selected by the San Antonio Spurs first overall in 1987. Living up to his nickname, the Admiral fulfilled his two years duty with the Navy and began his career in 1989. Over the years he would be a leader of the Nike Force Camp rocking the Nike Air Force STS<\/strong>, Nike Air Force V<\/strong>, and Nike Air Command Force<\/strong>. He would score 71 points in the Nike Air Unlimited<\/strong> and win a gold medal in the Nike Air Ballistic High<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Shaquille O’Neal Is Shaq Diesel the last true icon to enter the league? Since his arrival in 1992 the league has had its share of superstars, but few larger than Shaq. From movies, to video games, to rap albums, O?Neal’s had his hand in everything, becoming a major brand himself. This carried over to his kicks where he would eventually make his own moves with Dunk.net and Dunkman. To this day he is still a sneaker star for his early Reeboks such as the Reebok Shaq Attaq<\/strong> and Reebok Shaqnosis<\/strong>. He was also the first superstar to sign with Li-Ning and make the move East.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Patrick Ewing After giving the juice to Nike at Georgetown, Patrick Ewing became the first ever #1 pick of the lottery era. Ewing started his career with adidas wearing the adidas Conductor<\/strong> and adidas Attitude High<\/strong>. The early 90s saw him expand his brand, literally, with his own line of EWING shoes. The EWING Rogue<\/strong> and EWING Rouge II<\/strong> were repped by the big man and go down as the brand’s most memorable. In his later years he would return to his roots rocking the Swoosh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Derrick Rose In only three seasons Derrick Rose has gone from #1 pick to #1 player. He?s done all this with the Three Stripes. After a number of Team Signature shoes, adidas laced him with his own signature. The adidas adiZero Rose<\/strong> and adidas adiZero Rose 1.5<\/strong> have both ushered in new standards and new memories for D-Rose and adidas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> LeBron James In 2003 LeBron James took his high school glory to the NBA going first overall. Nike?s $90 Million investment in the youngster paid off as LeBron?s game and sneaker line lived up to the hype. In only his eighth season he?s had many classics including the Nike Air Zoom Generation<\/strong>, Nike Air Max LeBron VII<\/strong>, and recently the Nike LeBron 8<\/strong> collection. He?s also expanded his umbrella with the Nike Zoom Soldier<\/strong> line.<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Tim Duncan 1997 saw Tim Duncan lead off the draft and join former top pick David Robinson in San Antonio. While Duncan currently does his day job in adidas sneakers, many remember his early work with Nike. The Nike Total Air Foamposite Max<\/strong>, Nike Duncan<\/strong>, and Nike Air Total Max Uptempo<\/strong> all have strong Timmy ties.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Magic Johnson After winning an NCAA Championship at Michigan State, Earvin ?Magic? Johnson went first to the LA Lakers. Converse would sign Magic and help build their basketball brand with his charisma and flash. Over the years show time would strike in the Converse Weapon<\/strong>, Converse Magic<\/strong>, and Converse USA Magic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Larry Johnson In 1991 the Hornets got Larry Johnson and Converse got Grandmama. Both would have their shared success as LJ?s in-your-face game and the brand?s funny commercials would gain popularity. The Converse Aero Jam<\/strong> and Converse Back Jam<\/strong> hang among his most popular kicks.<\/p>\n Converse Aerojam<\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Chris Webber Like many other #1 picks, Chris Webber would rock many logos. After success with and for Nike during his days at Michigan, the Swoosh picked up C-Webb for his first deal. The Nike Air Unlimited<\/strong> and Nike Air Strong<\/strong> packed a Fab Five feel, paving the way for the Nike Air Max CW<\/strong>. Soon after Webber left Nike and later signed with Fila. Webber would rock many brands during his career with the Fila C-Webb<\/strong> and Dada CDubbz<\/strong> baring his name.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Hakeem Olajuwon Hakeem Olujawon?s sneakers don?t garner the name recognition of his top pick peers, but they do hold great importance. After early days with Etonic and LA Gear, the Dream shook heavy price tags in favor affordability. His Spalding line retailed for $35 and was embraced by working class families and all fans of basketball. Olajuwon?s path has inspired the likes of Shaquille O?Neal and many more.<\/p>\n
\nDrafted:<\/strong> 1996
\nBrands:<\/strong> Reebok<\/p>\nDavid Robinson<\/h2>\n
\nDrafted:<\/strong> 1987
\nBrands:<\/strong> Nike<\/p>\nShaquille O’Neal<\/h2>\n
\nDrafted:<\/strong> 1992
\nBrands:<\/strong> Reebok, Dunk.net, Dunkman, Li-Ning<\/p>\nPatrick Ewing<\/h2>\n
\nDrafted:<\/strong> 1985
\nBrands:<\/strong> adidas, EWING, Nike<\/p>\nDerrick Rose<\/h2>\n
\nDrafted:<\/strong> 2008
\nBrands:<\/strong> adidas<\/p>\nLeBron James<\/h2>\n
\nDrafted:<\/strong> 2003
\nBrands:<\/strong> Nike<\/p>\nTim Duncan<\/h2>\n
\nDrafted:<\/strong> 1997
\nBrands:<\/strong> Nike, adidas<\/p>\nMagic Johnson<\/h2>\n
\nDrafted:<\/strong> 1979
\nBrands:<\/strong> Converse<\/p>\nLarry Johnson<\/h2>\n
\nDrafted:<\/strong> 1991
\nBrands: <\/strong> Converse<\/p>\nChris Webber<\/h2>\n
\nDrafted:<\/strong> 1993
\nBrands: <\/strong> Nike, Fila, Dada, AND 1, Reebok<\/p>\nHakeem Olajuwon<\/h2>\n
\nDrafted:<\/strong> 1984
\nBrands: <\/strong> Etonic, LA Gear, Spalding<\/p>\n