Every year, the best brands in basketball put their best foot forward by lacing the game\u2019s elite in the latest releases backed by the newest technology. While most players jump at the dollars and possible competitive edge that such shoes provide, others elect old favorites or tried and true models.<\/p>\n
While playing in retros is more regular than rare these days, over the years a handful of hoopers have dug into their personal stash or called their sponsor for fresh pairs of their favorites. As LeBron James continues to lace up the Nike LeBron X on court, we take a look back at other NBA ballers that rocked off the market models or rarely worn retros on the regular.<\/p>\n
First Released:<\/strong> 1998 Gary Payton switched the style up back in 1998 when he received his first signature sneaker from Nike in zip up fashion. Despite strong signatures afterwards and even some choice retro Jordan PEs, it was \u201cThe Glove\u201d that GP returned to when winning his first NBA title during his later days with the Heat. To make matters even more awesome, Nike outfitted him in unreleased player exclusives that coincided with his new team colors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First Released:<\/strong> 2012 Unexpectedly, Carmelo Anthony diverted from his well-liked Melo M9 signature for a short run in the Melo M8 Advance. The results were positive, with Anthony going on a scoring tear and winning run right before the playoffs in spring of 2013.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First Released:<\/strong> 2008 The original Nike Hyperdunk launched in 2008, but that hasn\u2019t kept Anderson Varejao from wearing them in 2013. Despite the numerous updates and innovations, the OG Hyperdunks have been a staple in the Brazilian\u2019s work and international competition rotation. Many amateur hoopers and sneaker enthusiasts still swear by this model, and the Cavs pro is no different. First Released:<\/strong> 1995 Derek Fisher was never quite a face of the Flight Camp, but he was always a staple in the Staples Center. His leadership, reliable game and winning ways paired well with his high visibility venue, and player exclusives soon followed. While Fish swam in an array of PEs of the Remix and Team Bank variety, his Nike Air Max Tempo takes will forever be remember by Lakers fans. This reliable retro got rotation from the player\u2019s point guard off and on for a good decade after its original release.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First Released:<\/strong> 2012 When putting on the Nike LeBron X, it\u2019s hard not to think how perfect the Zoom Max cushioning is for a player of LeBron\u2019s size and explosiveness. Bold, bouncy and built like a tank, the LeBron X has suited the king for many more 2013-14 games than anyone expected. We\u2019ve seen James rock retros once for nostalgia, but crunch time play in these kicks speaks more towards performance prowess.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First Released:<\/strong> 2000 Kobe\u2019s below the ankle Nikes get a lot of love, and for good reason. The high-tech kicks took a big risk by being low tops. While such styling has influenced the industry and sold well, Mr. Bryant may have played his best ball in the adidas The Kobe. Following a first ring win in the space-age sneakers and other signatures to follow, KB8 returned to the AK1s for his next two NBA Finals wins.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First Released:<\/strong> 2008, 2010 Jason Maxiell has ups. Built bigger and slightly shorter than most modern day power fowards, his rim wrecking game makes him much less like a guard than his contemporaries. Rather than keep it light with a Hyperdunk or a Hyperfuse, Maxiell prefered Shox silos from previous seasons during his days in Detroit. The dated Shox Testify and Shox BB Pro outfitted the Bearcat big man, who now rocks LeBron X iDs in Orlando.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First Released:<\/strong> 1982 Place any player from the last fifteen years in the NBA of the ’80s and Rasheed Wallace registers as a pretty good fit. His build, fundamental play and passion translate well to the era, with his footwear proving an even better fit. After wearing modern Air Maxes during his early days in DC, Sheed dropped new age tech all together by staying in the Nike Air Force 1 High. We saw Sheed rock a Lunar update during his last days in NYC, but for the most part he remained rooted in the classic kicks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First Released:<\/strong> 2000 These days, Dikembe Mutombo is back with his original pro sponsor, adidas. During his latter seasons with the 76ers and the Rockets, Mutombo sported the Swoosh. A favorite upon release, and well after, was the Nike Air Team Max Full Court. Much like GP, Mutombo scored PE pairs years after their introduction.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First Released:<\/strong> 1996 The Reebok Question was an instant classic. An awesome design culminated with a historic campaign and the birth of an icon. Since its introduction in \u201896, the shoe was sold just about every year in either team or retro rendition. Its endorser, Allen Iverson, brought the model back out with new teams and the brand kept the kicks classic and contemporary.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First Released:<\/strong> 1997 After debuting the Nike Zoom Flight V in Dallas, Jason Kidd went on to rock his storied signature shoe with each of his four NBA franchises. The bug-eyed signature was offered on NIKEiD during the mid-2000s and has also seen retro release. While Kidd departed to PEAK for a portion of his second stay with the Mavericks, he still managed to bring back this favorite after returning to Nike.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nLast Worn:<\/strong> 2007<\/p>\nCarmelo Anthony- Jordan Melo M8 Advance<\/h2>\n photo by Mike Ehrmann\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n
\nLast Worn:<\/strong> 2013<\/p>\nAnderson Varejao – Nike Hyperdunk<\/h2>\n photo by Elsa\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n
\nLast Worn:<\/strong> 2013<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\nDerek Fisher – Nike Air Max Tempo<\/h2>\n photo by Lisa Blumenfeld\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n
\nLast Worn:<\/strong> 2007<\/p>\nLeBron James – Nike LeBron X<\/h2>\n photo by Al Bello\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n
\nLast Worn:<\/strong> 2013<\/p>\nKobe Bryant – adidas The Kobe<\/h2>\n photo via NBA<\/a>\n
\nLast Worn:<\/strong> 2002<\/p>\nJason Maxiell – Nike Shox Testify & Shox BB Pro<\/h2>\n photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n photo by Gregory Shamus\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n
\nLast Worn:<\/strong> 2010, 2012<\/p>\nRasheed Wallace – Nike Air Force 1<\/h2>\n photo by Gregory Shamus\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n
\nLast Worn:<\/strong> 2012<\/p>\nDikembe Mutombo – Nike Air Team Max Full Court<\/h2>\n photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n
\nLast Worn:<\/strong> 2008<\/p>\nAllen Iverson- Reebok Question<\/h2>\n photo by Jed Jacobsohn\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n
\nLast Worn:<\/strong> 2012 (Overseas)<\/p>\nJason Kidd – Nike Zoom Flight V<\/h2>\n photo by Bruce Bennett\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n
\nLast Worn:<\/strong> 2013<\/p>\nMatt Bonner – New Balance BB8025<\/h2>\n photo by Ronald Martinez\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n