The 25 Best Sneakers In NBA Finals History

As the NBA Finals kicked off last night, we were reminded of some of the greatest basketball players who took the big stage in hopes of earning the coveted Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. Throughout the years we also witnessed some heat on the floor, whether it was during the three-peat runs by the Bulls or during the timeless Celtic and Laker battles. Complex takes a look at the 25 Best Sneakers in NBA Finals History. Click here to view the gallery.

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Player: Larry Bird & Magic Johnson

Year: 1984

Complex Says: Five years after their faceoff in the ’79 NCAA national title game, Bird and Magic re-upped the rivalry leading their teams to the NBA Finals. Both All-Stars were balling hard in the Converse Weapons. Bird got the hardware this time, beating Magic and his Lakers in seven games.

Player: Lebron James

Year: 2007

Complex Says: Before taking his talents to South Beach, LeBron led the Cavaliers to the Finals in 2007. The Cavaliers didn’t stand much of a chance versus the more experienced Spurs — in fact they got swept — but Nike got to bust out LeBron’s first post-season kicks.

Player: Moses Malone

Year: 1983

Complex Says: Back in ’83 the Sixers were home to future Hall of Famers Dr. J and Moses Malone, who led Philly to the NBA Finals. Before Nelly had you grabbing two pairs, Moses was beasting on the Lakers, sweeping them rocking his Air Force Ones and averaging 26 points and 18 boards a game.

Player: Ron Harper

Year: 2001

Complex Says: What’s one of the perks playing alongside Jordan with the Bulls and rocking his kicks? His Airness laced Harper up with some player exclusives to go with his Lakers uniform during the 2001 Finals.

Player: Scottie Pippen

Year: 1997

Complex Says: After reppin’ the Swoosh well throughout the '90s, Nike gave Robin his own kicks in 1997. The shoe featured the must-have black colorway synonymous with the second threepeat and a full Max Air sole.

Player: Nate Robinson

Year: 2010

Complex Says: Nate Robinson has been known for his dope footwear since his days as a Washington Husky. During the 2010 NBA Finals, Nate paid homage to Sir Charles, busting out the all-white CBs for a home game against the Lakers. Just like Barkley, though, Nate is ringless. Maybe next shot he’ll mess with some J’s.

Player: Kobe Bryant

Year: 2001

Complex Says: During 2001, Kobe helped lead the Lakers to back-to-back titles wearing the Three Stripes in the Audi-inspired kicks. Kobe topped 30 points twice in the series and kept his promise after Game Two to cut Philadelphia's hearts out, winning the last three games in the City of Brotherly Love.

Player: Dennis Rodman

Year: 1989

Complex Says: The Detriot Bad Boys were nothin’ to mess with in the late '80s — just ask Mike. During their ’89 sweep of the Lakers, Dennis Rodman proved himself to be one of the NBA premier defenders and rebounders including a 19 rebound effort in Game Three despite back spasms. Rodman was laced up in the Nike Air Revolutions. Nike, can we get another retro drop?

Player: Jerry West

Year: 1970

Complex Says: Jerry West has done a lot for the game — he was a 12-time All-Star, Finals MVP, scoring champ, and oh yeah, he is the Logo for the League. During the 1970 Finals, West rocked the brand-new adidas Superstars in a seven-game heavyweight bout with the Knicks, but came up short in Game Seven at Madison Square Garden where Willis Reed got the crowd hype just by walking onto the floor.

Player: Scottie Pippen

Year: 1992

Complex Says: Although Pippen later received his own signature series through Nike (see No. 21), some of his most memorable sneaker moments came in general releases. In the ’92 Finals against the Blazers, Scottie balled hard in the Air Flight Lite IIs which were the epitome of sneaker styling in the early '90s.

Player: Bill Russell

Year: 1957

Complex Says: Without these shoes, who knows where the sneaker game would be? In the 1957 Finals, the game's most successful big man took the court rocking Chuck Taylors. The Celtics took the series for their first championship with Russell in the middle and a birth of a dynasty.

Player: Allen Iverson

Year: 2001

Complex Says: The 2001 League MVP led the 76ers to the NBA Finals basically single-handedly on the offensive end. It was simple — give Allen the ball and get out of the way. AI terrorized the Lake Show with crossovers, flinging his 165-pound body at defenders twice his size, shooting step-back jumpers, and casting step-over taunts (sorry Tyronn Lue) in the Answer IVs. In a series most felt would be a sweep, the Sixers took Game One in LA behind Iverson’s brilliant 48-point game but lost the next four.

Player: Scottie Pippen

Year: 1993

Complex Says: During the Bulls's first Threepeat triumph, Pippen did it all in the Nike Maestros. Probably better known for his red colorway worn during the '94 All-Star game, his black joints helped him lead the team in assists, finish second in scoring, and clinch Game Two by blocking Danny Ainge’s shot in the final seconds.

Player: Michael Jordan

Year: 1993

Complex Says: 1993 was a good year for Nike. Mike went H.A.M. on the Suns after losing out on the league MVP to Charles Barkley just days before. Dropping 41 points a game including a 55-point showing in Game Four, Jordan proved it’s probably a little bit more than the shoes.

Player: Shaquille O’Neal

Year: 1995

Complex Says: Michael had just got back in the game, but at the time Shaq was larger than life and helped bounce the Bulls in the conference semis. Shaq’s pop icon status was on a crazy level and his Shaq Attaqs were one of the best-selling sneakers. Unfortunately Shaq lost the battle for best big man to Hakeem Olajuwon as the Magic were swept even behind Shaq’s 28 point and 12.5 rebounds a game effort.

Player: Penny Hardaway

Year: 1995

Complex Says: During the '94-95 season Penny was coming into his own as a superstar, even being paired with Shaq (sound familiar?). Throughout the season and playoffs Penny wore the Nike Air Flight One, which featured the number one tag on the back. The shoe wasn’t exactly a signature shoe for Anfernee but we all remember what number he wore.

Player: Charles Barkley

Year: 1993

Complex Says: Charles Barkley left Philadelphia in 1992 and the very next season he was named MVP and helped lead the Suns to the NBA Finals. The Round Mound of Rebound played was bodying people in the paint and the perimeter in his Air Force Max shoes. Unfortunately, Chuck lost out to a former — and future — MVP by the name of Michael Jordan in six games and Barkley never made it back to get his ring. We know, it’s turrible.

Player: Kobe Bryant

Year: 2009

Complex Says: The media and some puppets had us hype for The King vs. The Black Mamba, but the Orlando Magic took out LeBron and the Cavs. Nike cooked up a special edition of Kobe's innovative low-cut Kobe IVs for the Finals — LeBron’s just sat on a shelf in Oregon. Kobe helped lead the Lakers past the inexperienced Orlando Magic in five games, picking up his fourth ring and his first Finals MVP award.

Player: Michael Jordan

Year: 1997

Complex Says: Of course at the time they weren’t known as the “Flu Games,” but after Michael’s heroic Game Five performance scoring 38 points with a stomach virus, the shoes will always hold a place in NBA Finals lore.

Player: Dennis Rodman

Year: 1996

Complex Says: The Bulls re-upped their arsenal in the summer of 1995 for the '95-96 season which included acquiring the outstanding rebounder, defender, and straight-up annoying guy to play against in Dennis Rodman. It worked — the Bulls won a League record 72 games and cruised through the playoffs. Being down with the Bulls usually meant you had an in with Nike as well. The Swoosh hooked The Worm up with some shoes as unique as his mulit-colored hair with the Shake Ndestrukts, known for their side lacing system, large branding across the front of the shoe and outdoor-ready ruggedness.

Player: Michael Jordan

Year: 1998

Complex Says: When he went into the Hall, it was the highlight that we all remembered clearly: Jordan came at Bryon Russell, stopped on a dime in his Jordan XIVs, crossed over, and pulled back. MJ elevated and drained a jumper, securing his sixth ring and another immortal highlight.

Player: Scottie Pippen

Year: 1996

Complex Says: In ’96 Nike released a lot of gems, maybe none as major as the Air More Uptempos (which were just recently re-released). Scottie again needed Mike to help him win a ring but at least he can stand on his own two with his sneaker game.

Player: Kobe Bryant

Year: 2004

Complex Says: The Lakers were bounced early in the ’03 playoffs by the Spurs and Kobe got into a little trouble during his early vacation in Colorado which caused adidas to have to release the kid from their endorsement. Throughout the season, Nike catered to Kobe with some great player editions including the Jordan “True Blue” IIIs he rocked in the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons. The Lakers lost in five games but we can’t be mad at Kobe’s effort with a top five release here.

Player: Michael Jordan

Year: 1996

Complex Says: In his first full season back from retirement, Michael Jordan won MVP as he led his Bulls to 72 wins and their fourth NBA title taking down the Shawn Kemp led Sonics (where were the Kamikazes?) in six games. The black sneakers and black socks were a part of the Bulls new kill-mode playoff look and there are fewer better iconic moments then seeing MJ truly murdered out (black and red) in the XIs.

Player: Michael Jordan

Year: 1991

Complex Says: MJ was wearing the Jordan VIs as he led the Bulls to their first NBA title — a five game takedown of Magic Johnson's Lakers. No better excuse to keep the VIs in-stock than “Michael won his first championship in them.” What girlfriend worth keeping would argue that logic?