{"id":411617,"date":"2014-10-27T11:00:56","date_gmt":"2014-10-27T16:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=411617"},"modified":"2022-09-17T12:55:29","modified_gmt":"2022-09-17T17:55:29","slug":"25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/","title":{"rendered":"The 25 Most Important Sneaker Stars in NBA History"},"content":{"rendered":"

NBA basketball is back this week, and thus, so is Kicks On Court<\/em><\/strong>. While LeBron James, Nick Young and others will be competing for this year’s KOC Champion crown, where do they rank in the all-time hierarchy of NBA sneaker stars?<\/p>\n

The Snkrs Day staff sat down, discussed and debated which NBA players have had the biggest impact and influence on the presence of footwear in today’s game. After much thought and consideration, we narrowed it down to The 25 Most Important Sneaker Stars in NBA History<\/strong>. Who made the cut? Read on to find out who and why. Share your take on the list on social media by using the hashtag #KOC25.<\/p>\n

25. Rasheed Wallace<\/h2>\n photo by Lisa Blumenfeld\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n

Rocking retros to hoop in may be the norm in 2014, but it wasn’t during the 1990s, or even the 2000s for that matter. Leave it to Rasheed Wallace<\/strong> to break the rules. After an All-American campaign in Chapel Hill, #30 stepped onto the hardwood of the nation’s capital in all-black Nike Air Force 1 Highs<\/strong>. The rest? History.<\/p>\n

Mostly avoiding the forward-thinking Air Max and Zoom Air assisted models that his contemporaries would push, Sheed started sporting Air Force 1s consistently on court around the 1999 season. A trend-hopper? Nah, this was three years before Nelly would make them splash on radio and 17 years after they originally released. Perhaps it was being an old soul or maybe it was lockout angst, but the Portland power forward would ditch performance pairs and essentially make the Air Force 1 his own. Nike would soon follow suit, releasing rare renditions with Sheed branding and team themed color combos.<\/p>\n

Even as a veteran with the New York Knicks, Sheed still made Kicks On Court headlines by breaking out suede PEs in the Garden. He remained relevant in retail, too, launching Lunarlon Forces in NYC colorways. While footwear fads come and go, Rasheed Wallace not only endorsed a retro model over the course of his career, he also embodied it by being the grizzly guy at the gym who knew what he liked and stuck to it.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

24. Brandon Jennings<\/h2>\n photo by Ronald Martinez\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n

Hate it or love it, Under Armour<\/strong> is a major player in the basketball footwear game. While the brand made headlines this summer for almost stealing away Kevin Durant from the Swoosh, the Shield gained their basketball buzz and credibility by signing a cavalier kid from Compton back in ’08.<\/p>\n

Passing up the chance to run the point for the Wildcats in Tuscon, Brandon Jennings<\/strong> took the road less traveled by forgoing his thought to be single season in college to play professionally in Rome. Before packing his bags, Under Armour inked the Oak Hill standout to a $2 Million deal<\/a>, making him the first basketball endorsee for the brand. In BJ’s first year with UA, he’d serve more or less as a product tester for the brand overseas, building the buzz for both the shoe and his own NBA debut.<\/p>\n

In his first two seasons with the Bucks, B-Jennings would drop 55 points as a rookie and cover KICKS magazine all with Under Armour on his feet. He’d receive signature models and even be appointed ‘Curator of Cool’ by the brand. While the slick guard may no longer be at the forefront of Under Armour’s basketball business, he was a major player in paving the way for their current success and all that is to come.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

23. David Robinson<\/h2>\n photo by Al Messerschmidt\/Getty Images via SI<\/a>\/Real GM<\/a>\n

No signature, no problem.<\/p>\n

While we often praise big men who were granted signature shoe lines during their career, such as Shaquille O’Neal, Shawn Kemp and Patrick Ewing, San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson<\/strong> – a non-signature athlete – had just as much impact, shoe-wise, as any big man to play in the NBA. After all, signature shoes don’t mean everything. Heck, Alonzo Mourning was presented with a signature shoe, but we can all concede that The Admiral was much more meaningful to shoes during his time.<\/p>\n

Mr. Robinson is arguably the most impactful player, shoe-wise, not to have a signature line, and there is an awful amount of reasons as to why this is the case. Robinson unofficially represented Nike’s high-top silhouette craze during the ’90s. Some of Nike’s most iconic, rugged and coolest designs were worn and\/or debuted by him. High-top sneakers, such as the Nike Air Force STS<\/strong> (the first shoe he wore in the NBA), the Nike Air Max Too Strong<\/strong>, the Nike Air Unlimited<\/strong>, the Nike Air Force 180 High<\/strong>, the Nike Air Effectivity Max<\/strong> and the Nike Air Command Force<\/strong>, were synonymous with the former U.S. Navy officer, although you can make a strong case for Billy Hoyle being more tantamount to the latter. All were trailblazing basketball models, and as the informal poster child of some of these shoes, he helped create nostalgia. There’s the time he recorded 71 points in a game while wearing the Nike Air Unlimited<\/strong>, or the moment in which he did advertising for the Nike Air Force 180 High<\/strong> in the form of the “Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood” commercial during the early ’90s. Then, there’s one of, if not his most productive year in the league, averaging a whopping 25.6 points per game and 13 rebounds per game, while wearing the Nike Air Force V<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Robinson is also the only notable big man to have stuck with one footwear brand during his entire career, serving as the leader of the Nike Force camp since his rookie season. It goes without question that David Robinson is undoubtedly an ambassador for Nike Basketball, with or without a signature shoe line.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

22. Steve Nash<\/h2>\n photo by Noah Graham for NBAE\/Getty Images via All Ball<\/a>\n

What David Robinson was to bulky high tops is more or less what Steve Nash<\/strong> is to lows. Yes, Kobe Bryant gets credit for the mainstream movement, but Nash’s impact based on the models he propelled is an example of the strong undercurrent that runs in basketball shoe culture.<\/p>\n

Epitomized by the Nike Air Jet Flight<\/strong>, Nash has endorsed a number of low top signatures from Nike Basketball that might not cause campouts, but rather inspire endless hours of eBay searches and frenzied forum fandom. His sneaker career has been somewhat of parabola, beginning by rocking low top takedowns of the Garnett 3, peaking with signature shoes such as the Zoom MVP<\/strong>, and coming back down in the latest Kobes. While stunters side with the flashy Foamposite fanbodys of today, the Day 1 Ekins and students of Professor K know Steve Nash has been putting on for the performance purists since the start.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

21. Nate Robinson<\/h2>\n photo by Kevork Djansezian\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n

Nate Robinson<\/strong>\u00a0has and always will be the wild card of sneakers. Since the beginnings of our Kicks On Court column and the commencement of identifying a Kicks On Court Champion at the end of each season, Robinson has been consistent, well-documented and always pushing the envelope in regards to doing the unthinkable on court when it comes to sneakers. Robinson was deemed our first ever Kicks On Court Champion, as he wore sneakers such as the “Birthday Bundle” Nike Zoom LeBron IV<\/strong>, the “Kryptonate” Nike Foamposite Lite<\/strong> in the Slam Dunk Contest and the “St. Vincent-St. Mary’s” Nike Zoom LeBron V<\/strong> during the 2009-2010 NBA season, in which he played for both the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. But if we were to name each and every shoe he has worn during his career, it would takes days that we don’t have. His impact, however, stretches further than any one shoe he’s worn. It is more so his willingness to do the outlandish things on court that makes him effectual to this day.<\/p>\n

The 2012-2013 NBA season bulges out as one of the most watched campaigns, both playing-wise and from a sneaker standpoint, for Nate. It was during his lone season with the Chicago Bulls – one of the best statistical years of his career – that he demanded the basketball world’s attention through shoes more so than his performance at times. There was the moment he wore the favorable “Miro” Air Jordan 7<\/strong> in a triple overtime thriller during the playoffs, another game in which he wore a different shoe in each quarter of a regular season matchup, a night in which he wore the “Concord” Air Jordan 11<\/strong> with the Bulls’ pinstripe jerseys as a nod to Michael Jordan during the 1995-1996 NBA season, and overall lacing up 22 different Jordans over the course of the 2012-2013 NBA season. The only non-Jordan he wore that year? The\u00a0Nike Air Yeezy 2<\/strong> Black\/Solar Red against the Spurs in a regular season game during the month of March. Also, while not credited for being the first player to wear custom sneakers on court, he unofficially reignited the custom craze by sporting a few during the Bulls’ first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets.<\/p>\n

Although Robinson has bounced around from team to team during his 10-year NBA career, he will be looked at, years from now, as one of the leaders of the league’s shift to wearing any and everything on court.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

20. Dee Brown<\/h2>\n photo by John Biever\/SI via SI Kids<\/a>\n

Guys like Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Spud Webb and Vince Carter come to mind when thinking of the best participants to ever compete in the Slam Dunk Contest, but the competition was forever changed when a relatively unknown rookie by the name of Dee Brown<\/strong> took center stage in 1991. See, before Brown’s entrance in the Slam Dunk Contest, the competition was humorless and businesslike. There was no smiling and no signs of lightheartedness in the ’80s; MJ, ‘Nique and Spud competed aggressively as if it was a Game 7. The Dunk Contest was not fun. It was vying. That was the aura of the Dunk Contest until Brown changed the climate of the competition by exploiting his sneakers.<\/p>\n

On that special night in 1991, Brown altered the course of Reebok and caught the attention of many around the world when he reached down to pump up his Reebok Pump Omni Lite<\/strong> sneakers in between dunks. The crowed swayed Dee Brown’s way, and he immediately became synonymous with Reebok Pumps. Following that moment, a Reebok ad took up one whole page of USA Today that morning, he later received his own signature shoe, the subsequent calendar year was one of the only years Reebok outsold Jordans, and Michael Jordan himself peaked interest.<\/p>\n

Brown brought about an exponential shift in marketing through the Dunk Contest for brands, and he was the first to bring more than just dunking to the overall showmanship of the competition. It’s because of Brown and his Pumps that jumping over Kia sedans, hurdling over motorcycles, blowing candles out on cupcakes in mid-air and overall crowd involvement is the standard today.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

19. Dwayne Wade<\/h2>\n photo by Stephen Dunn\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n

The entire basketball world sneaker community<\/del> took notice when Dwyane Wade<\/strong> surprisingly signed a shoe deal with Chinese footwear brand Li-Ning<\/strong> in 2012. Sure, China-based Anta received the services of Kevin Garnett in 2010 but to little reaction by the masses seeing that, although the highest paid player in the NBA at the time, he was past his prime of influencing through sneakers. The same can be said about Jason Kidd, who inked an endorsement deal with Chinese sportswear brand PEAK in 2008 following the Olympics.<\/p>\n

Contrarily, news of Wade’s move to Li-Ning was reported everywhere and rightfully so. For the first time, a Chinese apparel brand had signed an American basketball superstar who was still well within his prime at the age of 30. The move created a slight shift in power, gave players the option to build something on their own and potentially choose more money over partnering with a “cool” brand. But more importantly, shoe deals became something to really examine and follow.<\/p>\n

Since then, Tony Parker switched from Nike to PEAK and Rajon Rondo sided with Anta. Also, while Under Armour is in no way a lesser-known brand but still fairly new in the basketball market, it now has a top-10 player in Stephen Curry on their roster and closely flirted with the signing of Kevin Durant this summer. Following shoe deals is a thing now, the power is shifting and you can somewhat credit Dwyane Wade’s move for this.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

18. Scottie Pippen<\/h2>\n photo by Nathaniel S. Butler\/Getty Images\/NBA via Wallpaper hi<\/a>\n

To label Scottie Pippen<\/strong> a secondary\u00a0star would be a mistake. To put his sneaker game in the same stature would also be a slight. Over the course of his career, the Silent Assassin<\/em> would prove the most war-ready of any of the Bulls MJ ran with, coming through in the clutch on both sides of the ball. Eight NBA All-Defensive First Team nods, seven NBA All-Star selections, six rings and two gold medals have Pip’s resume residing in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Sure, Pip didn’t win any rings without MJ. No, MJ didn’t win any without Pip. Their two names and games are forever inseparable, but Nike knew they had two very separate stories to tell and sell in the Windy City.<\/p>\n

After arriving on the scene in Avia, the Swoosh would soon scoop up Scottie and make him the face of the Flight Camp. As his star and stature would grow, Pip would be picked to spearhead the Nike Air Uptempo campaign. Over the course of his first nine seasons, #33 would make the likes of the Nike Air Up ’94<\/strong>, Nike Air Maestro II<\/strong>, Nike Air Max Uptempo<\/strong> and Nike Air More Uptempo<\/strong> his own, affectionately dubbed “The Pippens” by fans. It wasn’t until 1997 that Nike would give him a sneaker of his own namesake. The Nike Air Pippen<\/strong> series would span five models, with a sixth one on the way, pushing the star power of the swingman over the label of simply a wingman. Sleek, smooth and understated, the line would represent Pip’s persona and game in the likes of nubuck, tumbled leather and Morph Skin.<\/p>\n

Just as Pippen would be known for supporting Mike on the court, he would support his sneaker line just the same, lacing the likes of the Air Jordan 10<\/strong> and Air Jordan 12<\/strong> on notable occasions. Still, it was his own game and ability to propel Nike Basketball’s best designs to the forefront that make Pip a Kicks On Court<\/em>\u00a0legend. From the unbranded Nike Air Flight Huarache to the over-branded Nike Air More Uptempo, it didn’t matter how left or loud the sneaker was – if Pip wore it, it mattered.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

17. Tracy McGrady<\/h2>\n photo by Fernando Medina\/Getty Images\/NBA via DVDprime\n

A swan story of sorts, Tracy McGrady<\/strong> went from relatively unknown to a straight-to-the-pros phenom after a breakout performance at adidas ABCD Camp. His adidas arrival birthed the start of a beautiful friendship, as the Three Stripes would sign the Raptors rookie and eventually outfit him over the course of his career.<\/p>\n

Coming into his own in the likes of various adidas EQT sneakers, young Tracy went from being ‘Vince Carter’s little cousin’ to being ‘T-Mac’ in the adidas Mad Handle<\/strong>. The silky-smooth scorer then became a spotlight star and starred in commercials for adidas all while becoming an official brand spokesperson. Where would he be without Handles? T-Mac would become the focal point of the brand’s basketball efforts for years to come. With Kobe’s departure to Nike, the adidas T-Mac line would come into its own, eventually becoming the longest lasting signature shoe series in adidas Basketball history. Early models like the adidas T-Mac<\/strong>, adidas T-Mac 2<\/strong> and adidas T-Mac 3<\/strong> would be tied to scoring title seasons, All-Star Game memories and summer camp sightings. Tracy was Penny and MJ for kids that were too young to really root for the latter two, and for a short period of time his shoes carried similar weight.<\/p>\n

Recently retired, retro T-Macs reside in the same purgatory period that early Air Jordan and Air Penny bring-backs saw. Slow sales may be the case now, but as time passes so does nostalgia build. Retro hardwood endorsement doesn’t hurt either; just ask MJ and Anfernee whose shoes are even more seen in today’s Kicks On Court<\/em> landscape than during their playing heyday. As adidas continues to build its basketball roster with young talent like Andrew Wiggins and countless lottery lands, we could potentially see promising young talent push T-Macs in coming years. After all, for Tracy McGrady and adidas, it was about timing all along.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em>
\n<\/p>\n

16. Magic Johnson\/Larry Bird<\/h2>\n photo by Andrew D. Bernstein\/Getty Images\/NBA via 47 Brand\n

Nobody’s lining up for a Converse Magic retro, and you can rest assure no one’s camping out for Larry Bird’s star stamped signature shoe. Still, Earvin from East Lansing and the “Hick from French Lick” carried Converse<\/strong> for an entire era on the strength of the Pro Leather<\/strong> and the Weapon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Over the course of the ’80s, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird would battle for NBA championships and in turn split individual accolades while leading the two most famous franchises of their generation. Polar opposites in the personality department, their juxtaposition of Hollywood charm and country grit made for the decade’s greatest rivalry and a historic sneaker campaign. Their team color Converse sneakers appropriately tied more to team greatness than spotlight stardom, which ultimately was what the two competitors were all about anyway.<\/p>\n

While the two talents would serve as the gatekeepers for Michael Jordan’s greatness, Air Jordan would eventually breakthrough the old guard in every way imaginable. MJ would usher in a new wave of athleticism to the game along with the concept of the star-driven signature shoe that would make most other models obsolete in the ’90s. Though their Chevron branded sneakers don’t translate so well to the name-noted, candy colored kicks that rule today’s game, they were the gold standard for quality in the ’80s. Larry and Magic took Converse from canvas to the leather, bridging the gap between Chuck Taylor and REACT Juice in the decade that saved basketball.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

15. Vince Carter<\/h2>\n photo by David Cooper\/Toronto Star via The Star<\/a>\n

When a great player creates an unforgettable moment in a particular shoe, the legacy of that piece of footwear is undeniably heightened. Such was the case with Michael Jordan taking his “last shot” in the Air Jordan 14, Dee Brown’s promotion of the Reebok Pump Omni Zone in the ’91 Slam Dunk Contest and Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in the Nike Zoom Kobe I. These moments are cherished forever, and everything about them are remembered, including the shoes that were worn. Yet, Vince Carter<\/strong>‘s feat in the Nike Shox BB4<\/strong> might be the greatest example of how one athlete’s moment can greatly impact the trajectory of a particular shoe’s success.<\/p>\n

During the 2000 Olympics, the 6\u20196 Vince Carter, wearing the Nike Shox BB4, drove to the basket, took flight, and dunked over on<\/del> Frederic Weis in what may be the most memorable Olympic basketball moment ever. The U.S. team went on to win the gold medal that year, and the \u201cle dunk de la mort\u201d would go on to be the most talked-about moment during that Olympic basketball run.<\/p>\n

With his freakish athleticism, Carter became the rightful poster boy for Nike Shox technology. The commercial and critical success of Vince Carter’s backing of the Shox BB4 eventually led to the birth of Carter\u2019s signature line, which lasted for five seasons.<\/p>\n

There’s no doubt that Nike’s Shox technology itself changed the footwear game forever. In 2000, the shock absorbing and energy returning system was futuristic in terms of Nike cushioning technology for the new millennium. The Shox “springs” gave the shoe an innovative look and designer Eric Avar, who was inspired by space suits for the upper, helped create an irrefutable iconic silhouette. But it was Vince Carter’s dunk that elevated the Shox BB4’s importance.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

14. Bob Cousy<\/h2>\n photo via Legendary Auctions\n

Bob Cousy<\/strong> changed the game of basketball with his flashed-up fundamentals and innovative play. His fancy passes and precision ball handling captivated fans, all while paving the way for the likes of Pete Maravich, Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd and Jason Williams. \u201cThe Houdini of the Hardwood,” Cousy ran the point for the Boston Celtics through out the ’50s and into the ’60s. His prestigious resume includes 6 NBA Championship Rings, 13 All-Star Games, and 12 All-NBA selections. For his efforts, Cousy was named to the 50 Greatest Players of All Time list.<\/p>\n

While Cousy\u2019s game had showtime written all over it, the mass marketing of athletes and shoe contracts were still years away during his playing days. Nevertheless and so much the more, Cousy would spearhead such sales tactics by becoming one of the first basketball players to endorse products and appear in commercials. As a Celtic, he endorsed PF Flyers<\/strong> and in many ways birthed basketball’s concept of the signature shoe decades before it became the norm.<\/p>\n

These days, the likes of Forbes and ESPN run features based on the current athletes with the highest grossing endorsement deals. Just the same, NBA stars continue to cash in on shoe deals whether active or retired. Looking back, let’s not forget that Bob Cousy took some of the first footsteps for a business that’s still booming today and a culture that supports it.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

13. Grant Hill<\/h2>\n photo via Sole Collector<\/a>\n

There’s a reason FILA can release retro basketball shoes in the 2010s and that’s Grant Hill<\/strong>. Sure, Stackhouse had his share of sneakers with the company, but it was the Duke Blue Devil turned Detroit Piston standout that made the brand a player on the hardwood.<\/p>\n

Early in his career, Grant Hill was a hot as it gets. In his first two seasons, the promising point-forward led the league in All-Star Game votes, proving his popularity by beating out the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway and even Michael Jordan in fan support. His on-court credibility matched with his on-air likability made his FILA signature line an instant success, placing the Italian sportswear company in the same catalogs, conversations and rotations as established basketball brands. The FILA Grant Hill I<\/strong> carried Grant Hill through his co-Rookie of the Year campaign and first All-Star Game, with both the brand and the athlete avoiding the sophomore slump in the FILA Grant Hill II<\/strong>. The GH II would receive global endorsement via Grant’s play in the 1996 Olympic Games, also scoring crossover cool points when worn off-court by 2Pac.<\/p>\n

While some may say that today’s sneaker game is all about standing out, it’s really not. Everybody signs with the same brands, the same color concepts are executed across the board and few athletes really take risks when establishing their own line. In the ’90s and early ’00s, Grant Hill did things differently by building with FILA. The partnership was fruitful for both parties, securing FILA a place in basketball history and making Grant Hill one of the most iconic signature stars to ever play the game.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

12. Patrick Ewing<\/h2>\n photo via Celtic-Nation\n

Brands want eyeballs on their endorsers’ feet and that ad space doesn’t get much bigger than being the big man in the Big Apple. For 15 seasons, Patrick Ewing<\/strong> was exactly that. As a center for the New York Knicks, the 7-footer laced up everything from adidas to Nike over the course of his career. His early days with The Three Stripes would be associated with bulky high tops like the adidas Attitude<\/strong> and adidas Conductor<\/strong>. These models sported the colors of the city’s celebrated hoop squad, seeing casual crossover on the streets over the course of the ’80s and years later in retro life.<\/p>\n

While #33 was a superstar with adidas, he proved a boss in his next deal. Shelving the stripes, Pat teamed up with Next Sports to launch Ewing Athletics<\/strong>. The big man took the concept of a signature shoe to new heights by birthing his own brand, releasing and wearing the shoes of his namesake from 1991 to 1996. As originals, the Ewings would be sold in Eastbay all while appearing as a very forward-thinking branding move by Pat. As retros, the shoes have proven popular on the lifestyle market, gaining major traffic in off-court wear.<\/p>\n

Of all the hardwood legends, Patrick Ewing may be the only player that’s been relevant from a footwear standpoint before, during and after his pro career. From his Nike Terminator<\/strong> touting days at Georgetown to the retro resurgence of Ewing Athletics, Patrick’s proven to be a fixture in the KOC culture.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

11. Kevin Durant<\/h2>\n photo by Ronald Martinez\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n

Simply put, Kevin Durant<\/strong> represents everything good. I mean, with the exception of Lil’ B, who doesn’t like Kevin Durant?\u00a0The reigning MVP has a good heart and a great effect on numerous people, and it is clearly evident through the popularity of his footwear.<\/p>\n

First off,\u00a0before signing with Nike in 2007, he let it be known that he wanted a\u00a0mid-range priced shoe in hopes of being more affordable for everyone. He sighted the main reason for this was the fact that he came from\u00a0a place where none of his friends could afford to spend big money on a pair of shoes. Shocking from a then-19-year-old rookie, right?<\/p>\n

Additionally, brands have become great at storytelling through sneakers and what KD represents can been seen throughout his shoe series.\u00a0There’s the “Aunt Pearl” sequence, which pays tribute to his aunt of the same name that passed away from lung cancer in 2000. In regards to the ongoing series, Durant said, “I made a promise to myself to always honor my Aunt Pearl for the example she set, and the encouragement she gave me to follow my dreams.\u201d Then, there’s the collaboration with Nike on an N7<\/strong> version of his signature shoe, which positively connected Durant to the Native American community in Oklahoma City and across North America.<\/p>\n

Let’s be honest; every silhouette in Durant’s signature line is not great but his character being attached\u00a0to them makes them more likable by the masses.\u00a0There are now more Nike KDs<\/strong> seen on NBA courts than any other Nike Basketball shoe at the moment, and you see more Nike KDs at your local gym than any other shoe from any brand. Sure, a lot of that has to do with the price point, but the fact that everyone loves KD should not be underestimated.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

10. Ray Allen<\/h2>\n photo by Ronald Martinez\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n

Maybe at some point, it will be up for discussion. Right now, though, it\u2019s not a debate. There is no question about who has the best Air Jordan player exclusives. It’s Ray Allen<\/strong> by a landslide, and it has been for years.<\/p>\n

Maybe Russell Westbrook will be given a ton of PEs over the course of his career, as he already has some amazing sneakers exclusive to him. Or maybe Jabari Parker will surpass Ray Allen one day seeing that he has been gifted a pretty nice pair as a rookie, but until Westbrook, Parker or anyone else for that matter gets to that level, Ray Allen is the king of Air Jordan PEs<\/strong>, hands down. At this stage of Allen’s career, there should be no confusion as to why he received special treatment and privileges. I mean, he is the longest-tenured Jordan Brand athlete in all of sports, and for that reason he is Jordan Brand’s most important athlete not named Michael Jordan.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

9. Charles Barkley<\/h2>\n photo by John W. McDonough\/SI via SI Kids<\/a>\n

Charles Barkley may have said he’s “not a role model,” but isn’t he though? In today’s technical landscape where anyone can say anything to everyone with the click of a button, we’re all quick to bite our tongue and we often admires those that aren’t. Sir Charles? Royally rude, potently profound and just play silly, the Round Mound of Rebound has always been brash and bold. His shoes and game were just the same.<\/p>\n

Upon entering the league, Charles Barkley would find a home in Philadelphia and a home in the Force camp. Much like David Robinson to Tim Duncan, Moses Malone would mentor Chuck on the court and Nike would hand down his high tops. Much unlike David Robinson or Tim Duncan, Charles Barkley would prove to have a radiant personality that Nike would have to market much differently with aggressive designs and ad campaigns. After years of quietly juicing the Nike Air Alpha Force<\/strong> and other high profile Force camp kicks on court, the Swoosh would make Charles the face of the Nike Air Force 180<\/strong> and Nike Air Force Max<\/strong>. Michael Jordan’s retirement in 1993 would help pave the way for a Sir Charles signature line to take flight, with the Nike Air Max CB ’94<\/strong> still standing as one of the most prolific player-backed designs ever.<\/p>\n

More known for his commentary than his on court accolades today, it’s easy to forget that Charles Barkley won an MVP award during Michael Jordan’s prime and perfected the power forward position at only six feet and six inches of height. In retro life, Marc Dolce and the Nike Sportswear team have continued to keep Chuck’s kicks relevant, reliving the most ‘come at me bro’ basketball shoes of all time.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

8. LeBron James<\/h2>\n photo by Jed Jacobsohn\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n

LeBron James<\/strong> has pushed the limits of how basketball shoes are created and what technology is used. How? By simply being 6’8″ 260 pounds and one of the most freakish athletes in all of sports. With that to work with, what kind of shoe do you create for a one-of-a-kind athlete like LeBron? Over the years, King James has forced Nike to push the envelope, which is why we see so many groundbreaking elements incorporated into King James’ shoes. Whether it’s a full-length Air Max unit or a hexagonal Air unit and MegaFuse, Nike has had the daunting task of creating a shoe for the best athlete in the world for quite some time.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no denying the fact that Michael Jordan\u2019s signature shoe line changed the entire sneaker industry forever, but LeBron James’ power and athleticism may have reinvented the limits of what can be integrated into basketball shoes as a whole. His signature series is undeniably the most prominent and favorable line in the game today and definitely the largest. Nike has created for King James an impressive 12 shoes<\/strong> before the two-time NBA Champion\u2019s 30th birthday. Michael Jordan, who currently has 29 flagship signature sneakers attached to his name, had eight by the age of 30. We might be witnessing the largest signature sneaker line ever created.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

7. Allen Iverson<\/h2>\n photo via The Shoe Game<\/a>\n

There’s never the ‘next’ anyone because the ‘first’ was always just that– the first of their kind. Michael Jordan was exactly that type of icon, and by the mid-’90s everyone was looking for MJ 2.0. Sorry, not gonna happen. While rising stars across both conferences would garner similarities to his Airness thanks to swingman build, uncanny athleticism and even the same haircut, they were all just following his footsteps. Someone had to break the mold just like MJ did when he came in the league, but just the same, not like MJ at all. That someone was Allen Iverson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The braids, the tats, the kicks, the moves– this may sound like “Who We Be” by DMX but it’s not. Still, the story line brings just as much bark as Allen Iverson’s aggressive style and controversial image changed the game forever. A once in a lifetime talent, a once in existence icon, Pound for Pound had influence that couldn’t be measured by any modern day social tracking tools, changing the dress code amongst not just his fans but also his peers– a seismic shift that would eventually force the league to change the rules to retaliate. In general, AI was a classic case of coming up and making his culture mass culture. His culture was the streets and he embodied all of that with both his game and his image. Rather than be on some PC BS, Reebok fully embraced all that was Allen Iverson and sold it just the same. The Reebok Question<\/strong> proved an instant classic, rising above its golden era contemporaries and still standing as more meaningful than any model ever endorsed by his draft classmates. For the remainder of his career, the Reebok Answer<\/strong>\u00a0series sold in bunches and competed with any and every signature line, relying on AI’s exceptional play, Reebok’s strong design and a money marketing campaign.<\/p>\n

In today’s internet era where gossip gets more clicks than good news, it’s possible Allen Iverson will be remembered more for soundbites than highlights. He shouldn’t be. Bubba Chuck was one of the greatest players to ever play the game, giving it 110% every time he touched the floor. Even if media meddles, his shoes will continue to tell the story of the sub-6′ footer that all the big guys wanted to be like.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

6. Gilbert Arenas<\/h2>\n photo by Elsa\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n

Believe it or not, Gilbert Arenas<\/strong> had a hand in creating the erratic NBA on-court footwear behavior we see today. And he impacted the NBA this way in just one season. The former Arizona Wildcat took the NBA by storm, sneaker-wise, during the 2010-2011 NBA season in which he wore a whopping 39 pairs of shoes through the first half of the season and over 60 sneakers throughout the year. Shoes we rarely see on court, such as the Air Jordan 8 Low White\/Metallic Silver<\/strong>, the FILA Grant Hill<\/strong> and the “Bin 23” Air Jordan 9<\/strong>, were worn by the Mr. Arenas during that year. He even had the audacity to bring out a $395 Dolce & Gabbana<\/strong> shoe on the hardwood in a Wizards vs. Lakers game in Los Angeles. Gilbert Arenas birthed this type of behavior, and you can clearly see his effect on the game today.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

5. Walt Frazier<\/h2>\n photo via ProHoopsHistory<\/a>\n

Walt Frazier<\/strong> is the NBA\u2019s original fashion icon. Long before NBA Style was a thing, Frazier was a style icon both on court and off court. Fittingly, the PUMA Clyde<\/strong> was accepted on and off court, not because it was a revolutionary shoe but because Frazier wore it. After attaching Frazier’s name to the Clyde, the shoe became an undeniable big hit. As far as popularity, the Clyde was as popular as Air Jordans are today. As one of the first players ever to literally have his name attached to a shoe, Frazier broke ground and is one of the most important sneaker stars in the history of the NBA.<\/p>\n

For one of the first ads Frazier did for PUMA, he was dressed in a mink coat, a wide-brim hat and PUMA Clydes. Ironically, that\u2019s how the athletes dress today \u2013 a dressed-up look with sneakers.<\/p>\n

The Clyde is fashion, and fashion is the Clyde.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

4. Penny Hardaway<\/h2>\n photo via Uproxx<\/a>\/The Grand Archives<\/a>\n

He’s not a star? Somebody lied. In his prime, Penny Hardaway<\/strong> was putting buckets on Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen– in the playoffs. The slender swingman turned point guard had flash like Magic and a two-guard’s jump shot. He could boom on the best of them and break the press just the same. On the court, there was pretty much no limits to what Penny could do and who he could do it to. Even so, the majority of fans remember less about what he did and more about what he did it in.<\/p>\n

For six seasons and five signature shoes, Penny Hardaway was an often All-Star and a fixture in footwear. His four-part Nike Air Penny<\/strong> line launched some of the most memorable designs and ad campaigns ever created. As an unexpected intermission, Penny took a chance with Eric Avar on a blue-based shoe seemingly from the future. The Nike Air Foamposite One<\/strong> changed the game forever and brought a level of innovation that’s still striking today.<\/p>\n

Penny’s prime was short, but his legacy lives on forever through his sneakers. In retro life, “Orlando” themed takes on the likes of the Nike Air Go LWP<\/strong> and Nike Air Flight One<\/strong> have proven worthy of a second run based on Penny popularity alone. Even with current signature stars on the rise, the Foamposite<\/strong> franchise remains the only shoe series that can consistently compete with Air Jordans. In the malls or in Kicks On Court, Penny has proven to be one of the most powerful players in the sneaker game both then and now.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

3. Nick Young<\/h2>\n photo by Maddie Meyer\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n

Never has there been a non-signature shoe athlete with a greater effect on the younger generation. Everybody wants to be like Swaggy P<\/strong>. Why you ask? First off, the charismatic and lively Los Angeles native is extremely personable and resonates with the younger generation unlike many. Secondly, the fashion-forward Young practically started a trend on the basketball court in regards to sneakers.<\/p>\n

Over the past few years, Young has shown the willingness to wear pretty much any kind of basketball shoe on the court. Not only do you see kids all over the nation choosing fashion over function, but even a number of NBA players have followed suit.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2. Kobe Bryant<\/h2>\n photo by Chris McGrath\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>\n

When it comes to pushing the envelope, Kobe Bryant<\/strong> is that guy. There have been many stories about the two-time NBA scoring champion pushing Eric Avar and other Nike designers to create unparalleled Nike Basketball shoes for him, and it’s evident by his Nike Kobe signature line<\/strong>. No other signature line in the history of shoes matches the design cues and aesthetics of Kobe’s shoes. Now Avar gets a lot of the credit and then some for this, but Kobe’s desire to be the best and different from everyone has a lot to do with it as well.<\/p>\n

The fact that he came to Nike and stressed the fact that he wanted a low-top shoe was game-changing. Low-top basketball shoes weren’t accepted on court six years ago, but now they’re everywhere. Years from now (if you don’t already), we will appreciate the Black Mamba’s involvement in the design of his own shoes.<\/p>\n

-George Kiel III<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Michael Jordan<\/h2>\n photo via HD Wallpapers<\/a>\n

Simply the best. While LeBron James and Kobe Bryant may contend with the G.O.A.T. in barbershop banter or made for TV debate, at the end of the day we all know Michael Jordan<\/strong> was the greatest to ever lace them up. Could said stars surpass his Airness one day? Anything’s possible, but we’re still putting our money on Money.<\/p>\n

To go through Michael Jordan’s career accolades or signature series in detail would be long-winded and never quite all encompassing. We all know about the six NBA Championships, we all know about the\u00a0Air Jordan 1<\/strong> getting banned, we’ve all seen the Air Jordan 3<\/strong> take off from the free-throw line and we all recognize the Air Jordan 11<\/strong> as the most popular basketball shoe ever created. We know, we know, we know.<\/p>\n

And still, while we all know every highlight by heart and every shoe down to the last detail, we still can’t get enough. Even over a decade past his final retirement, one could argue that the Air Jordan signature series is in the prime of its popularity. Off the court, grown men still get goosebumps when putting on a pair of Mikes while toddlers who can’t yet tie their shoes are pushed around in strollers wearing the work of Tinker Hatfield.<\/p>\n

Though labeled a lifestyle brand by many in 2014, there’s no downplaying the popularity of Air Jordans on court. This trend even proves true on the NBA hardwood. Millionaire athletes who are playing for their paycheck would rather rock retros than put their money on the latest performance pair. Kobe, LeBron and KD may be catching\u00a0up by some measures, but at the end of the day everybody still wants to be like Mike.<\/p>\n

-Ian Stonebrook<\/em><\/p>\n

Who was ranked too high? Who was ranked to low? Let us know on social media by using the hashtag #KOC25<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NBA basketball is back this week, and thus, so is Kicks On Court. While LeBron James, Nick Young and others…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4667,"featured_media":411618,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[835,1219126],"tags":[1225551],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe 25 Most Important Sneaker Stars in NBA History | Snkrs Day<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Snkrs Day has ranked The 25 Most Important Sneaker Stars in NBA History.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/\" \/>\n<link rel=\"next\" href=\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The 25 Most Important Sneaker Stars in NBA History\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Snkrs Day has ranked The 25 Most Important Sneaker Stars in NBA History.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Snkrs Day\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NiceKicks\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2014-10-27T16:00:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-09-17T17:55:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/files\/2014\/10\/The-25-Most-Important-Sneaker-Stars-in-NBA-History.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"700\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"357\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Snkrs Day\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@snkrsday\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@snkrsday\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Snkrs Day\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"35 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"ItemPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/\",\"name\":\"The 25 Most Important Sneaker Stars in NBA History | Snkrs Day\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/files\/2014\/10\/The-25-Most-Important-Sneaker-Stars-in-NBA-History.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2014-10-27T16:00:56+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-09-17T17:55:29+00:00\",\"description\":\"Snkrs Day has ranked The 25 Most Important Sneaker Stars in NBA History.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/files\/2014\/10\/The-25-Most-Important-Sneaker-Stars-in-NBA-History.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/files\/2014\/10\/The-25-Most-Important-Sneaker-Stars-in-NBA-History.jpg\",\"width\":700,\"height\":357,\"caption\":\"The 25 Most Important Sneaker Stars in NBA History\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-important-sneaker-stars-nba-history\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Columns\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/columns\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"NK Originals\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/\",\"name\":\"Snkrs Day\",\"description\":\"Sneakers News. 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