25 NBA Players Wearing Sneakers No One Plays In Anymore
Will they ever be back on court?
Image via Complex Original
The last few years with the retro craze we have seen a handful of classics and less memorable sneakers make their way back on the hardwood. Even with all kinds of players vying to be king of the sneaker game in the NBA (we see you, Nick Young) there are still some dope kicks that haven't made their way back into action. To pay homage to some of the best shoes we haven't seen in a minute, we put together a list of 25 NBA Players Wearing Sneakers No One Plays In Anymore. Hit us in the comments section to let us know which joints need to hit the floor again soon.
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Converse Aero Jam
Converse Aero Jam
Year: 1993
Player: Larry Johnson
In the '90s there seemed to be a little more comptetiton throughout the brands for basketball sneakers. Yeah, Nike was king, but Reebok, adidas, Fila, and Converse all had their top-tier kicks that pushed units. In 1992 Converse inked Runnin' Rebel Larry Johnson fresh out of college and hooked him up with a signature kick. The Converse Aero Jam featured REACT Juice in the heel and rear ankle for maximum support so Grandmama could get it in on the court down in the paint. The design was true to the times — the airbrush fade look on the midsole and of course that velcro strap was a must. If Converse didn't sell you on the sneaker alone, the bizarre Grandmama campaign was enough to intrigue consumers and the cameo on "Family Matters" by Larry Johnson didn't hurt.
Reebok Shaqnosis
Reebok Shaqnosis
Year: 1993
Player: Shaquille O'Neal
It's not easy designing a sneaker for a big man that provides the kind of support to go hard in the paint and still appeal to people visually. Reebok killed it with the Shaqnosis, featuring a hypnotic use of black and white circles throughout the shoe and remaining bulky and supportive yet cushioned perfectly for Shaq to dominate his foes under the boards. Even with the lineup of Reebok retros, including Shaqs, we don't see anyone brave enough to fill Diesel's size 22s.
Converse Voltage
Converse Voltage
Year: 1995
Player: Latrell Sprewell
Not the most well-known Converse silhouette, the React Juice fueled Voltage was worn by college teams (including Steve Nash's Santa Clara squad) and pros (then-Warrior Latrell Sprewell) alike. With its lightning-themed upper, the Voltage was the epitome of high-voltage kicks before the new colorway craze in 2012.
Nike Air Unlimited
Nike Air Unlimited
Year: 1994
Player: Chris Webber
Worn by bigs like Chris Webber and David Robinson as well as wings like Grant Hill, the strap-happy Air Unlimited was a high-tech indoor b-ball shoe with the look of a streetball bully. Straps and neoprene were big in the early '90s, and no basketball shoe had more of it than the Unlimited.
Fila The Hill
Fila The Hill
Year: 1995
Player: Grant Hill
The '96 Fila Hills are approaching a retro release soon but the original sneakers 33 laced up in are just as awesome, they just didn't get a Tupac co-sign. Thug Life makes all the difference.
And 1 Marbury
And 1 Stephon Marbury
Year: 1996
Player: Stephon Marbury
This dude was the the original Jesus Shuttlesworth out of Coney Island and after one year at GT, And 1 was ready to make him the face of a faceless (logo) brand. The And 1 Marbury was a hypebeast's wet dream in the '90s — it was fresh, it was affordable, and attainable. We know Stephon lost a little credibility after his webcam meltdown but damn these are too cold to not make a comeback. Can we get the OG shorts too?
Nike Air Shake Ndestrukt
Nike Air Shake Ndestrukt
Year: 1996
Player: Dennis Rodman
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, 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 multi-colored hair with the Shake Ndestrukts, known for their side lacing system, large branding across the front of the shoe and outdoor-ready ruggedness.
Nike Air Maestro
Nike Air Maestro
Year: 1993
Player: Scottie Pippen
All-Star kicks been flashy for a minute and none maybe as iconic as Pip's all-red Maestros. Besides being one of the most-wanted throwback sneakers of all-time the Maestro tested out pretty well performance wise and was worn by numerous college players including Cal's Jason Kidd.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars
Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars
Year: 1960
Player: Bill Russell
Without these shoes, who knows where the sneaker game would be? In the '50s and '60s, the game's most successful big man took the court rocking Chuck Taylors. Russell helped birth a dynasty and Chuck helped start a revolution.
Nike Air Flight Lite High
Nike Air Flight Lite High
Year: 1992
Player: Scottie Pippen
Although Pippen later received his own signature series through Nike, some of his most memorable sneaker moments came in general releases. During the ’92 season Pip took to the Flight Lite Highs as his sneaker of choice to help lead the Bulls to another championship season. The durable and secure high-top was decades ahead of sneakers like the KD Vs in terms of a shoe lightweight enough to play the wing but tough enough to handle the post when needed.
adidas Superstar
adidas Superstar
Year: 1970
Player: Jerry West
Jerry West has done a lot for the game — he was a 12-time All-Star, Finals MVP, scoring champ, and oh yeah, he's the NBA logo. During the 1970 season West rocked the brand-new kicks on the floor leading the Lakers to the NBA Finals. All those accolades, and players still aren't emulating the style?
Nike Air Revolution
Nike Air Revolution
Year: 1989
Player: Dennis Rodman
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. Even though these are making their way back soon, we just can't see these making their way back on the floor unless Gilbert Arenas signs a 10-day contract.
Reebok Blast
Reebok Blast
Year: 1996
Player: Nick Van Exel
Part of the Reebok era where the simple use of black and white designs had basketball sneakers looking like Rorschach tests. The Reebok Blast was typically seen on the feet of Nick Van Exel while running the point for the Lakers and even on Allen Iverson during his rookie training camp with the Sixers. The shoe featured the go-to Hexalite cushioning Reebok implemented in most of their basketball kicks during the '90s.
Reebok Shaq Attaq
Reebok Shaq Attaq
Year: 1992
Player: Shaquille O'Neal
A Pump shoe that featured a tremendous midsole cutaway, shiny blue highlights, and a silhouette that stood out in the Diesel's size 20. You might remember them being on his feet as Shaq brought down the house en route to Rookie-of-the-Year honors. Even though these are making their way back soon, is there a big man down with Reebok that would rock these? Someone prove us wrong.
Reebok BB 5600
Reebok BB 5600
Year: 1986
Player: Danny Ainge
When Massachusetts-based Reebok decided to get into basketball, who better to rep than a couple of Celtics? Reebok signed up guards Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge and put them in the then state-of-the-art BB5600. That big looping side panel kept them locked in, and gave billboard-size space for the new kid on the block to represent. Reebok is apparently done dropping new basketball joints but these would be a good-look for an All-Star event. Oh yea — nice mullet, Daniel.
Reebok Answer V
Reebok Answer V
Year: 2002
Player: Allen Iverson
Fresh off his insane title run (and his new lifetime extension with Reebok), Iverson was hampered by injuries but limped his way off the bench to remain a starter in the All-Star Game in front his beloved home crowd. The IVs get all the notoriety from the infamous Lue step-over but the Vs were just as comfortable and looked almost as dope. With the Answer Is set to return soon, these jawns would hit the playground nice for the summertime too.
adidas EQT Elevation
adidas EQT Elevation
Year: 1997
Player: Kobe Bryant
Since KB has switched brands, unless these make a comeback, we might not ever see one of The Three Stripes' best sneakers on the floor again. This is the shoe we remember Kobe in most as a rookie, pre-'fro and pre-titles, winning the Slam Dunk Contest in Cleveland and generally being a kid (as much of a kid as Kobe ever let himself be, anyway). The purple Dunk Contest PEs are in desperate need or a re-release. You listening, adidas?
Nike Air Up
Nike Air Up
Year: 1994
Player: Penny Hardaway
Nike, listen, we really need these back and they would definitely make it back on the court. While not an official Penny shoe per se, it was the first to feature his number 1 — a beta version of the Penny logo. Nike made Pippen a pair too, but they didn't come close to touching the blue and black nubuck and suede upper of the Pennys.
Nike Air Lambaste
Nike Air Lambaste
Year: 1995
Player: Penny Hardaway
One of the few sneakers Anfernee donned that has yet to hit the shelves again, the sleek Air Lambastes were his go-to shoe in the 1995 All-Star Game. The lowtop joints had almost a race car look to them — appropriate for Penny's slashing game. These would still hold up in today's game with guards quick to drive and dish take it to the hoop.
Nike Air Adjust Force
Nike Air Adjust Force
When: 1996
Who: Rasheed Wallace
In 1996 Nike killed it with its Fitwrap Technology, allowing you to remove the straps if needed (which 'Sheed did) and also grab them in nearly any color to match up with your teams colors (which 'Sheed did not). You probably remember these more on college players like Vince Carter — maybe it was a UNC thing.
Reebok Commitment
Reebok Commitment
When: 1990
Who: Danny Manning
Unfortunately for Danny Manning his career never panned out the way a No. 1 pick's should, due to lingering injuries (or that Clippers curse), but when he jumped to the NBA he at least did it in style. The Reebok Commitment was essentially Manning's signature shoe — with the midfoot strap and the huge REEBOK lettering on the heel, everybody knew what time it was.
Nike Air Flight High
Nike Air Flight High
When: 1990
Who: Ron Harper
One of the original faces of Flight, Ron Harper had crazy ups before a devastating knee injury robbed him of much of his explosiveness. He spent a good portion of the '89-90 season in the classic Air Flight High. The Flight 89 Lows made a strong comeback and have even been seen on the feet of Deron Williams a couple decades later. Harp got a second act, why can't the Air Flight Highs?
Nike Air Bakin
Nike Air Bakin
Year: 1997
Player: Tim Hardaway
Complex says: The Air Bakins were almost as cold as Timmy's crossover. Worn by Hardaway and former Run-TMC running mate Mitch Richmond throughout the season, they caught a little heat for having the "Air" script on the heel resemble the Arabic form of "Allah". Praises due either way.
Nike Air Force III
Nike Air Force III
Year: 1989
Player: Glen Rice
Complex says: One of the greatest shooters in the NBA and an alleged victim recipient of a Sarah Palin one-night stand, Glen Rice wasn't always known for his sneaker selection (he wore Warner Bros., Champion, and Nauticas). In '89 he broke out the Nike Air Force IIIs, a shoe more catered towards big men but kept Rice from ever rolling that ankle (as did those massive ankle braces).
Nike Air Movin' Uptempo
Nike Air Movin' Uptempo
Year: 1997
Player: Dan Majerle
Complex says: The distant cousin of a few other Air Uptempos including the ones that saw a comeback duing the 2012 Olympics — these shoes aren't as classic as their pricier relatives, but still worthy of a mention. The sneaker shares a similar cut to the Air Max Uptempo '97 but utilized a smaller Air bag to hold down wings like Thunder Dan.