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The relationship between basketball and sneakers is unlike anything else that exists in sports. What it boils down to is this: we love basketball shoes for the same reasons NBA players do. We love that they’re comfortable and versatile while still making an unmistakable statement of personal taste and style. Here we take a look at the ten basketball sneakers that best matched form with function, and set the bar for the NBA look both on and off the court.
When you've had a look through the list, click back here for a chance to win a pair of one of the featured styles, courtesy of the new NBA 2K13.
Converse Pro Leather
Few shoes have ever been able to match the style and simplicity of Converse's early basketball shoes, and back in the day, the Pro Leather was a great option for competitive ballers. Now a street shoe, the classic design lives on, with a strong showing of new releases in 2012 alone.
adidas Crazy 8 (KB8)
The adidas KB8, now known as the Crazy 8, was a performance beast thanks to Feet You Wear technology. This design was originally employed in the KB8, the first shoe under Kobe’s adidas contract, but when it was reissued in 2005, three years after Kobe’s departure from the brand, the shoe needed a new name. Not only is this a popular NBA shoe, but it is a staple among adidas’ college programs.
Nike Zoom Kobe IV
Kobe Bryant's fourth signature sneaker is one of the most player-friendly sneakers ever created. It incorporates a variety of signature Nike technologies: Lunarlite foam in the forefoot, Zoom Air in the heel, and a full-length Phylon midsole. In addition, it marked a turning point in the low-cut design of his future sneakers.
Nike LeBron 9 Elite
LeBron James’ broad shoulders have carried their share of the future of both the NBA and Nike Basketball, and now that he is an Olympic (and NBA) champion hopefully he can take a little breather. The LeBron 9 Elite, released just this past NBA season, suits King James’ game perfectly, and has become an instant classic on the street.
Reebok Question
This was Allen Iverson's first signature shoe, which marked a major resurgence for the Reebok brand. Released in 1996, there is clearly a Jordan XI influence (more on them later), but that stands to reason, as A.I. was sporting the 11s at Georgetown just a year prior.
adidas Crazy Light
adidas has produced many important basketball shoes, but their recent contributions to lightweight technology could change the way players move in-game. At just 9.8 ounces, the Crazy Light is just that, and allows for more vicious cuts and lightning-quick fast breaks on the court.
Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4
An incredibly light shoe with an appropriately simple design, the Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 was an instant classic for both players and fans alike. This was Kobe Bryant’s first shoe with Nike, and Rajon Rondo had them in full effect during the 2012 Eastern Conference playoffs.
Nike Air Force 1
While Air Jordan (the player and the brand) will always dominate any discussion of NBA footwear, the Air Force 1 laid the foundation. This was Nike’s first basketball shoe to incorporate Air cushioning technology, and has become the template for some of the most original and innovative sneaker designs of the past 30 years.
Nike Air Jordan XI
And now we come to MJ (we are talking NBA history, after all). Nike’s Air Jordan XI “Concord” (the above in black and white) was the No. 2 sneaker of 2011, according to the experts at Complex. The 11s were originally worn by His Airness during the 1995 NBA Playoffs—so they’re not just for looks. And if you're waiting for the black/red pair, only a few months left to go.
Nike Air Jordan III
The Air Jordan III reissue in black/cement was Complex’s No. 1 sneaker of 2011, but it was the arrival of the original in 1988 that changed the NBA forever (of course, the guy who was wearing them had a lot to do with that, too). Designed by trailblazing Nike designer Tinker Hatfield, these kicks (seen above in white/cement) are ones for the ages.
