25 Retired NBA Players Who Deserved Signature Sneakers

Years: 1979 - 1992

The French Lick, Indiana native carried his simple Midwest morals and basketball style to Boston where he dominated the '80s even with an ailing back. He had a nice run with Converse as one of the main faces of the Weapon, but we can't help but think one of the greatest players during the NBA's turning point couldn't have marketed a sneaker solo dolo.

Years: 1985 - 1995

One the league's most memorable and unique centers, Manute made players think twice before entering the lane thanks to his 10'5" reach. Is he the greatest to ever play the game? Nah, but he stood out even against the trees down low — and he shot threes, too. There's never been anyone like him.

Years: 1987 - 2005

Reggie is your least-favorite NBA color commentator, but unless you were a Knicks fan in '95 you respected the hell out of his game. During his better years the sharp-shooter and dramatic flopper stayed laced in Nike and Jordan Brand but if Indy had a little more marketability he might have had his own signature series.

Years: 1977 - 1993

Bernard really was the King of NY for a minute, and by scoring 50 points in back-to-back games only helped build the hype. Unfortunately Converse had most of the best players on lock back then, and didn't see signature product as necessary. Too bad.

Years: 1956 - 1969

"11 in a row, Bill Russell rings" — Jay-Z. Russell helped build one of the greatest pro sports dynasties of all time and even going to war against Wilt didn't stop him from collecting jewelry and hardware. Kind of hard to believe Chuck Taylors didn't become Bill Russells in the late '50s. Then again, it was the '50s. Too bad. #RollWithTheWinners

Years: 1960 - 1974

Before sneaker contracts were a part of the game, Jerry West owned the NBA with 14 All-Star nods and 12 All-NBA honors. Eventually he became "The Logo" — yes, the NBA's official logo, solidifying his legacy forever in a game he helped build.

Years: 1974 - 1987

As annoying as he can be when you're trying to watch a game, Big Red actually had a lot of game and his Grateful Dead ties went deep. Some one couldn't hook him up with a tie-dye shoe? #FearTheBeard

Years: 1967 - 1980

Earl was that dude that brought the ESPN-type plays to the game but even decades later no one could jock the style to a T. Jesus Shuttlesworth, he got his name from Earl "Jesus" Monroe. The real chosen one. Clyde Frazier, his backcourt partner in New York, had signature kicks — Pearl should have, too.

Years: 1972 - 1990

Mr. Smooth himself had teenagers practicing their finger roll every night in the driveway, emulating one of the best signature moves that easily could have been complemented with a signature sneak. At least the Iceman got his name screened on the heel of his Blazers — more than most guys got back then.

Years: 1982 - 1995

Don't let the nickname fool you, no one was sleeping on Floyd. Even though he was 6-3 he weighed less than a buck 70 and still torched opponents with his natural offensive arsenal. His 29 points in a quarter is still a playoff record that new Warriors Curry and Thompson are gunning at each night.

Years: 1992 - 2008

Big Shot Rob never made an All-Star team, but he was instrumental to all seven of his championship teams thanks to numerous clutch shots and daggers when the game was on the line. Too many rings to just ball in general releases.

Years: 1991 - 2006

Before there was Stephon Marbury there was Kenny Anderson, a NYC native who also attended Georgia Tech. His play in the NBA helped him get an All-Star nod in '94 along with teammate Derrick Coleman. Another player whose career stats don't jump off the page but had the right blend of talent and street cred to help push units if given the chance.

Years: 1987 - 2001

At 5'3" Muggsy was the people's champ to most of us who had dreams of playing in the NBA at 13 (when we were likely 5'3" as well). His stats might not be "hall" worthy but we're talking kicks, and this guy was a hero to every kid who was told they weren't big enough to ball.

Years: 1988 - 2002

You may be too young to remember Majerle's career and maybe weren't even born when he was drafted in '88. When the commissioner called his name, boos rang out in NYC — months later "Thunder Dan" was one of the most popular players in Phoenix history. The same notoriety followed him in South Beach and with a strong Nike game and multiple All-Star appearances, it was the '90s, The Swoosh could have made it happen.

Years: 1981 - 1994

Zeke was a beast, a tough little dude like AI in his prime. No matter how big his opponent was he never backed down and even if his image wasn't the greatest outside of Detroit, there is no doubt that he was worthy of having his own sneakers on the court.

Years: 1959 - 1973

This dude scored 100 points in a game and (allegedly) bagged 20,000 chicks. Seriously, what more can we say? The guy averaged 50 and 25 for an entire season and once led the league in assists just because he felt like it. Legend.

Years: 1988 - 2005

Rod Strickland's name might not carry as much weight as some of the other players on this list, but his style of play and ruthless mentality on and off the floor made him a fan favorite for almost every city he played in. How many players would refuse to play in an All Star Game if picked because they were pissed they got snubbed before? Like Chuck, he wasn't a role model but he could have pushed kicks.

Years: 1988 - 2002

First he was part of Run-TMC (the basketball trio with Mullins and Hardaway) and then the face of Sacremento's franchise. Mitch was a lethal scorer with the ability to slash to the hoop or drop bombs from 25 feet. Sure he got laced with a few PE Jordans but holding all of Northern Cali down deserved more. At least he got a ring before he gracefully bowed out from the game.

Years: 1985 - 1999

Dumars' game wasn't the flashiest, but he was the backbone of The Bad Boys of Auburn Hills and with his lock-down d and consistent jumper he always was on the most feared opponents — ask Jordan. If a co-sign from no. 23 himself isn't enough, we don't know what is.

Years: 1988 - 2002

New York natives know all about Starks. Patrick Ewing was the face of the team in the '90s but no. 3 was the energy and another enforcer that helped the Knicks fuck with everyone including Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan on multiple occasions. You see players like Shumpert lined up with The Three Stripes now, it could have been even bigger with John Starks.

Years: 1985 - 2001

Maybe white dudes with flattops weren't the most marketable basketball players in the '90s, but there was no denying Mullin's talent. He wasn't a freak athlete but when you take into consideration he was ambidextrous and couldn't miss from the perimeter it made him nearly impossible to stop. Feels like any member of The Dream Team should have had his own line of sneakers, goggles — anything they rocked.

Years: 1989 - 1993

Would the same Euro influence exist in the NBA without Drazen? It wouldn't be what it is today. Petrovic was Michael Jordan x10 in Yugoslavia and when he came to America to play in the league it took him a minute but once he teamed up with DC and Kenny Anderson in New Jersey he quickly became a threat in the NBA. Sadly his life ended tragically early due to a traffic accident and DP3 never had a chance to show his true potential in the greatest league. His Mitchell & Ness New Jersey Nets jersey still rings out in the streets today, no doubt this legend was deserving of his own sneaker for his people back home.

Years: 1986 - 2002

You been watching Stephen Curry cook in the playoffs for a few weeks but his pops' jumper was just as deadly in Charlotte — holding down just about every shooting record that matters. Maybe if he didn't have LJ and Zo on the same squad he could have had his own sneaker campaign.

Years: 1960 - 1974

Everyone goes crazy over LeBron's stats but at 6'5", 220 lbs. Oscar Robertson averaged 25.7 points, 9.5 assists, and 7.5 boards — for his career. Considered by some people as the greatest basketball player of all-time, he's credited for bringing the fadeaway jumper to basketball. Myth? Maybe, but there's is no doubt if this dude was around today he would be getting 50 colorways of his own shoe each season.

Years: 1984 - 2003

John Stockton is a G. Not only is he arguably the greatest true point guard but his sneaker game was always on point, thought we told you. Considering he hooped in a tennis shoe, how crazy would it have been if Nike bridged the gap and gave him the best of both worlds and dropped his own line for kids to match with their short-ass shorts? Ok, maybe not the shorts.