Image via Complex Original
It's an unwritten rule of the game that the best don't only do it well, but do it in style. Not only is this the reason why Nike, adidas and Reebok go after the Michaels, Kobes and Iversons, but it's also a way of making your stellar performance look that much more stuntastic. The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star will always be legend, Jordan's XII's have been forever dubbed the "Flu Games," and Tyronn Lue will eternally shiver when he sees a Reebok Answer IV — thus, it's only right we take a look at the 25 of the Best Sneakers Worn During the NBA's Greatest Performances...
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Player: Wilt Chamberlain
Shoe: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Date: March 2, 1962
Performance: Known for putting up big numbers, The Stilt dropped 100 points in a game vs. the New York Knickerbockers (NBA Record).
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star 2
Player: Bill Russell
Shoe: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Date: April 18, 1962
Performance: Russell put up 30 points and 40 rebounds (!) vs. the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the 1962 NBA Finals.
Converse Pro Leather
Player: Magic Johnson
Shoe: Converse Pro Leather
Date: May 16, 1980
Performance: As a 20-year-old rookie point guard, Magic started at center in place of an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, leading the Lakers to a Game 6 NBA Finals victory with 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists vs. the Philadelphia 76ers. With this victory, Magic became the youngest player and only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award.
Air Jordan I
Player: Michael Jordan
Shoe: Air Jordan I
Date: April 20, 1986
Performance: In just his second year in the league, coming back from a 64-game layoff due to a broken foot, Jordan put up 63 points vs. the Boston Celtics (NBA Playoff Record).
Brooks Unique
Player: Dominique Wilkins
Shoe: Brooks Unique
Date: May 22, 1988
Performance: The Human Highlight Film scored a total of 47 points (19-23 FGs) in an all-out duel vs. Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics during Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Finals.
New Balance P790 "Worthy"
Player: James Worthy
Shoe: New Balance P790 "Worthy"
Date: June 21, 1988
Performance: "Big Game James" legitimized his nickname by going for 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists (his only career triple-double) vs. the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals.
Nike Air Ultra Force
Player: Scott Skiles
Shoe: Nike Air Ultra Force
Date: December 30, 1990
Performance: The current head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks put up 22 points and a record 30 assists vs. the Denver Nuggets (NBA Record).
Air Jordan V
Player: Michael Jordan
Shoe: Air Jordan V
Date: March 28, 1990
Performance: MJ scored a career-high 69 points (and grabbed career-high 18 rebounds) vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers.
L.A. Gear Unstoppable
Player: Hakeem Olajuwon
Shoe: L.A. Gear Unstoppable
Date: March 29, 1990
Performance: In one of the NBA's four quadruple-doubles ever, The Dream recorded 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and 11 blocks vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.
Nike Air Unlimited
Player: David Robinson
Shoe: Nike Air Unlimited
Date: April 24, 1994
Performance: The Admiral scored an admirable career-high 71 points vs. the Los Angeles Clippers in the last game of the '94 season to lock up the scoring title.
Nike Air Max 2 CB '94
Player: Charles Barkley
Shoe: Nike Air Max 2 CB '94
Date: May 4, 1994
Performance: After being called a punk in Game 2, Sir Charles went off for 56 points and 14 rebounds in a shoot-out vs. the Golden State Warriors in the 1994 NBA Playoffs.
Air Jordan XII
Player: Michael Jordan
Shoe: Air Jordan XII
Date: June 11, 1997
Performance: Despite suffering an extreme stomach flu — characterized by dehydration, nausea and a 103-degree temperature, Jordan rose to deliver one of his most impressive performances ever by putting up 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals to lead the Bulls to victory in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals.
Air Jordan XIV
Player: Michael Jordan
Shoe: Air Jordan XIV "Last Shot"
Date: June 14, 1998
Performance: In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, Jordan scored 45 points — including one of the most memorable game-clinching shots in NBA history.
Reebok Answer IV
Player: Allen Iverson
Shoe: Reebok Answer IV
Date: June 6, 2001
Performance: Though Philly was outmatched in the 2001 NBA Finals, Iverson led the Sixers to a Game 1 victory with 48 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Reebok Question Mid
Player: Kobe Bryant
Shoe: Reebok Question Mid
Date: January 7, 2003
Performance: Black Mamba dropped 45 points as a result of sinking a record 12 3-pointers vs. the Seattle Supersonics (NBA Record).
Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K5
Player: Kobe Bryant
Shoe: Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K5
Date: December 20, 2005
Performance: Though he only played the first three quarters of the game, Kobe outscored the Dallas Mavericks 62-61.
Nike Air Zoom Kobe I
Player: Kobe Bryant
Shoe: Nike Air Zoom Kobe I
Date: January 22, 2006
Performance: Kobe busted out a career-high 81 points (second-highest single game total in NBA history) vs. the Toronto Raptors.
Converse WADE I "Playoff Edition"
Player: Dwyane Wade
Shoe: Converse WADE I "Playoff Edition"
Date: June 13, 2006
Performance: Down 2 games to 0 vs. the Dallas Mavericks, Dwyane Wade's Game 3 performance of 42 points and 14 rebounds was enough for a victory and an overall shift in the momentum in the 2006 NBA Finals.
Adidas Gil Zero Low
Player: Gilbert Arenas
Shoe: Adidas Gil Zero Low
Date: December 17, 2006
Performance: Agent Zero dropped a career-high 60 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, with a record 16 of his points coming in overtime (NBA Record).
Air Jordan Melo M4
Player: Carmelo Anthony
Shoe: Air Jordan Melo M4
Date: December 10, 2008
Performance: In a 45 point, 11 rebound game, Melo scored a record 33 points in the 3rd quarter vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA Record).
Air Jordan XX3
Player: Chris Paul
Shoe: Air Jordan XX3
Date: January 14, 2009
Performance: In a near quadruple-double, Chris Paul dropped 33 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds and 7 steals vs. the Dallas Mavericks.
Nike LeBron Zoom Soldier III
Player: LeBron James
Shoe: Nike LeBron Zoom Soldier III
Date: May 28, 2009
Performance: LeBron had a compelling 37 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in Game 5 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Orlando Magic.
Nike Zoom Hyperfuse
Player: Rajon Rondo
Shoe: Nike Zoom Hyperfuse
Date: May 9, 2010
Performance: Rondo dialed up a triple-double of 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists (only the third 29-18-13 game in playoff history, behind Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain) vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2010 NBA Playoffs.
Nike Air Max LeBron VIII V2 "Cool Grey"
Player: Ty Lawson
Shoe: Nike Air Max LeBron VIII V2 "Cool Grey"
Date: April 9, 2011
Performance: Ty Lawson put up a career-high 37 points by way of a record 10 consecutive 3-point field goals to start the game vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA Record).
Reebok Zig Slash "Jet Shark"
Player: Jason Terry
Shoe: Reebok Zig Slash "Jet Shark"
Date: May 8, 2011
Performance: Terry readied the broom with a record nine 3-pointers vs. the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2011 NBA Playoffs (NBA Playoff Record).
