25 Retro Sneakers We'd Like to See Make an NBA Appearance This Season

Image via Complex Original

Player: Amar'e Stoudemire

Year Released: 1991

Any other team rocking these just wouldn't be fair. They already come in the appropriate colorway of course and there's no better way to represent a Knicks legend. STAT would look pretty good in these, and at this point Nike probably wouldn't even mind...

Player: Jerry Stackhouse

Year Released: 1995

Yeah, sure, Jerry Stackhouse isn't on an NBA roster. YET. Look how long it took his former backcourt mate to officially retire.

Player: Tristan Thompson

Year Released: 1917

It's weird, we know. But hey, if Wilt Chamberlain could score 100 points in them, then why not. As for a player we'd like to see wear them: Tristan Thompson. The Cavs could really use someone who could score 100 points in a game.

Player: Carmelo Anthony

Year Released: 2003

The Melo 1.5 is set to release again in late 2013/early 2014, so what better to place to see them than on their namesake? These look great in the Knick colorway, and—well, sometimes you get what you wish for.

Player: Russell Westbrook

What better place to wear the Balenciaga Arena than an arena? (See what we did there?) We can't think of an NBA player who would go out of their way to wear something different, aside from Russell Westbrook. Why not? (Besides his Jordan deal, of course.)

Player: Kevin Love

Year Released: 1999

Kevin Love does a great job of repping for the Timberwolves, a team that was once Kevin Garnett's to run. So what better way to carry on his legacy than have one of the teams current players rock his kicks? The OGs come in the perfect colorway, so that doesn't require any more work on Nike's part. You're welcome.

Player: Anthony Davis

Year Released: 1997

The newest addition to the NBA is the New Orleans Pelicans, led by Anthony Davis. With a name like that, they should get whatever sneakers they want. One brow, 10 pods. It made sense at the time.

Player: Kevin Durant

Year Released: 1998

The Seattle Supersonics morphed into the OKC Thunder, and someone has to keep the essence of the OG team alive. What better way than to let one of the leaders of the new school bring these back? We're talking to you, Kevin Durant.

Player: J.R. Smith

Year Released: 1985

J.R. Smith is a known sneakerhead, one look at his Instagram and you'll understand how serious his sneaker game is. Seeing him in these would be a good look and we're pretty sure he's got a pair. (Go ahead Earl, rock the Knicks joints, too.)

Player: Nick Young

Year Released: 2004

What with Nick Young replacing Kobe in the Lakers lineup and all, maybe he should lace up Kobe's favorite non-signature shoe. Couldn't hurt.

Player: Michael Carter-Williams

Year Released: 2001

The Sixers are gonna have a rough season, but rookie guard Michael Carter-Williams brought it in their first game, an upset victory of the defending champion Miami Heat. Maybe don't give him No. 3, but let him fill The Answer's shoes.

Player: Lance Thomas

Year Released: 1996

There's a lot of history behind these sneakers and any NBA player should be happy to rock these. It may as well be a Dookie, and the Pelicans' Lance Thomas makes as much sense as anyone.

Player: Jeff Teague

Year Released: 1992

Air Raids are making a comeback in 2014. It' been a while since they dropped and last time the iconic colorful prints were left mostly to the GS sizes. Hopefully Nike makes up for hating on us grown kids and then laces our boy Jeff Teague with a pair.

Player: Gerald Green

Year Released: 1995

With the Sonics long gone, it's hard to decide who gets to rep the Reign Man. Then again, Gerald Green has already worn Shaq Attaqs, and his high-flying exploits are equally well known. OK, that wasn't that hard after all.

Player: Glen Davis

Year Released: 1995

I mean, he and Shaq have so much in common; they both went to LSU, played for the Celtics and the Magic. Not to mention they had a wrestling match. And as you least expected, Big Baby won. So to say the least, he deserves some PE Shaqnosis.

Player: Spencer Hawes

Year Released: 1993

Mutombo is one the greatest 76ers ever (and maybe even more important, one of the greatest Quickstrike guests ever), so its only right that the team play homage. Maybe some fresh adidas will encourage Spencer Hawes to have his own finger-waving moments

Player: Iman Shumpert

Year Released: 1996

Shump already has these, the "Bright Lights, Big City" edition of course. But we'd still like to see him wear these again this season. Preferably in the playoffs. Maybe even in the Finals.

Player: Mike Miller

Year Released: 2008

The Sharkleys are one of the cleaner Nike Basketball shoes, with the perfect amount of patent leather. Perhaps these would ease Mike Miller's pains. Probably not, but maybe.

Player: Pau Gasol

Year Released: 1986

These were originally created for a Laker (well, and a Celtic), so lets keep the theme going with Pau Gasol. And just maybe he'll have a magic season. Don't forget, choose your weapon.

Player: Shawne Williams

Year Released: 2005

You know who didn't start the in the first Lakers game of the season? Kobe Bryant. You know who did? Shawne Williams. Hook the man up with Kobe's old kicks, if not his locker.

Player: Metta World Peace

Year Released: 1997

Metta is back in NY for the first time since college. The last time he played ball in NY, he did well enough to be picked 16th in the draft. That's the World Peace we want to see on the Knicks, wearing these classics from Jordan Brand if possible. They worked for St. John's.

Player: Tim Duncan

Year Released: 1988

With a little hard work, you can find these in a slew of colors, one of which matches the Spurs Jersey. And seeing that Tim Duncan is still wearing clothes from '89, he may as well have the sneakers to match. (Sorry, adidas.)

Player: DeMarcus Cousins

Year Released: 1993

DeMarcus Cousins is the center, and the center of attention over in Sacramento. With all that the city has gone through and what Mayor Kevin Johnson has done to keep the Kings in Sactown, paying tribute with a pair of KJ's Converse only seems right.

Player: Maurice Harkless

Year Released: 1991

Maurice Harkless is the youth of the Orlando squad and probably the most athletic, which is something they need. The team is still in the early steps of creating what could be a great team, and it wouldn't hurt if these were the kicks they took those steps in.

Player: Steph Curry

Year Released: 2011

The Under Armour Protoype 2 is one of the cleanest UA shoes ever and Steph Curry should be laced with a PE version. We know how it performs on the court (thanks to Brandon Jennings' "Double Nickel" performance), and it would be a nice touch to see it on Curry in the upcoming season. Maybe Curry can even light up the Garden again while wearing them.