25 Of The Best Sneakers Worn During The NBA's Greatest Performances

Image via Complex Original

Player: Wilt Chamberlain

Shoe: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star

Date: March 2, 1962

Performance: Known for putting up big numbers, The Stilt dropped 100 points in a game vs. the New York Knickerbockers (NBA Record).

Player: Bill Russell

Shoe: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star

Date: April 18, 1962

Performance: Russell put up 30 points and 40 rebounds (!) vs. the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the 1962 NBA Finals.

Player: Magic Johnson

Shoe: Converse Pro Leather

Date: May 16, 1980

Performance: As a 20-year-old rookie point guard, Magic started at center in place of an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, leading the Lakers to a Game 6 NBA Finals victory with 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists vs. the Philadelphia 76ers. With this victory, Magic became the youngest player and only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award.

Player: Michael Jordan

Shoe: Air Jordan I

Date: April 20, 1986

Performance: In just his second year in the league, coming back from a 64-game layoff due to a broken foot, Jordan put up 63 points vs. the Boston Celtics (NBA Playoff Record).

Player: Dominique Wilkins

Shoe: Brooks Unique

Date: May 22, 1988

Performance: The Human Highlight Film scored a total of 47 points (19-23 FGs) in an all-out duel vs. Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics during Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Finals.

Player: James Worthy

Shoe: New Balance P790 "Worthy"

Date: June 21, 1988

Performance: "Big Game James" legitimized his nickname by going for 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists (his only career triple-double) vs. the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals.

Player: Scott Skiles

Shoe: Nike Air Ultra Force

Date: December 30, 1990

Performance: The current head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks put up 22 points and a record 30 assists vs. the Denver Nuggets (NBA Record).

Player: Michael Jordan

Shoe: Air Jordan V

Date: March 28, 1990

Performance: MJ scored a career-high 69 points (and grabbed career-high 18 rebounds) vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Player: Hakeem Olajuwon

Shoe: L.A. Gear Unstoppable

Date: March 29, 1990

Performance: In one of the NBA's four quadruple-doubles ever, The Dream recorded 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and 11 blocks vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.

Player: David Robinson

Shoe: Nike Air Unlimited

Date: April 24, 1994

Performance: The Admiral scored an admirable career-high 71 points vs. the Los Angeles Clippers in the last game of the '94 season to lock up the scoring title.

Player: Charles Barkley

Shoe: Nike Air Max 2 CB '94

Date: May 4, 1994

Performance: After being called a punk in Game 2, Sir Charles went off for 56 points and 14 rebounds in a shoot-out vs. the Golden State Warriors in the 1994 NBA Playoffs.

Player: Michael Jordan

Shoe: Air Jordan XII

Date: June 11, 1997

Performance: Despite suffering an extreme stomach flu — characterized by dehydration, nausea and a 103-degree temperature, Jordan rose to deliver one of his most impressive performances ever by putting up 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals to lead the Bulls to victory in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals.

Player: Michael Jordan

Shoe: Air Jordan XIV "Last Shot"

Date: June 14, 1998

Performance: In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, Jordan scored 45 points — including one of the most memorable game-clinching shots in NBA history.

Player: Allen Iverson

Shoe: Reebok Answer IV

Date: June 6, 2001

Performance: Though Philly was outmatched in the 2001 NBA Finals, Iverson led the Sixers to a Game 1 victory with 48 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Player: Kobe Bryant

Shoe: Reebok Question Mid

Date: January 7, 2003

Performance: Black Mamba dropped 45 points as a result of sinking a record 12 3-pointers vs. the Seattle Supersonics (NBA Record).

Player: Kobe Bryant

Shoe: Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K5

Date: December 20, 2005

Performance: Though he only played the first three quarters of the game, Kobe outscored the Dallas Mavericks 62-61.

Player: Kobe Bryant

Shoe: Nike Air Zoom Kobe I

Date: January 22, 2006

Performance: Kobe busted out a career-high 81 points (second-highest single game total in NBA history) vs. the Toronto Raptors.

Player: Dwyane Wade

Shoe: Converse WADE I "Playoff Edition"

Date: June 13, 2006

Performance: Down 2 games to 0 vs. the Dallas Mavericks, Dwyane Wade's Game 3 performance of 42 points and 14 rebounds was enough for a victory and an overall shift in the momentum in the 2006 NBA Finals.

Player: Gilbert Arenas

Shoe: Adidas Gil Zero Low

Date: December 17, 2006

Performance: Agent Zero dropped a career-high 60 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, with a record 16 of his points coming in overtime (NBA Record).

Player: Carmelo Anthony

Shoe: Air Jordan Melo M4

Date: December 10, 2008

Performance: In a 45 point, 11 rebound game, Melo scored a record 33 points in the 3rd quarter vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA Record).

Player: Chris Paul

Shoe: Air Jordan XX3

Date: January 14, 2009

Performance: In a near quadruple-double, Chris Paul dropped 33 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds and 7 steals vs. the Dallas Mavericks.

Player: LeBron James

Shoe: Nike LeBron Zoom Soldier III

Date: May 28, 2009

Performance: LeBron had a compelling 37 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in Game 5 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Orlando Magic.

Player: Rajon Rondo

Shoe: Nike Zoom Hyperfuse

Date: May 9, 2010

Performance: Rondo dialed up a triple-double of 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists (only the third 29-18-13 game in playoff history, behind Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain) vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2010 NBA Playoffs.

Player: Ty Lawson

Shoe: Nike Air Max LeBron VIII V2 "Cool Grey"

Date: April 9, 2011

Performance: Ty Lawson put up a career-high 37 points by way of a record 10 consecutive 3-point field goals to start the game vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA Record).

Player: Jason Terry

Shoe: Reebok Zig Slash "Jet Shark"

Date: May 8, 2011

Performance: Terry readied the broom with a record nine 3-pointers vs. the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2011 NBA Playoffs (NBA Playoff Record).