A Complete Sneaker Guide to 'Above The Rim'

Image via Complex Original

adidas Pro Model 

Year (of Sneaker): 1970 

The movie kicks off with Shep (Leon) on the rooftop back in the day with his boy seeing who had better hops. Before Shep takes off for flight, we get a look at the legendary Pro Model adidas straight from the '70s. Fast forward a decade later and we see he stays with the classics rocking the same sneakers while he is playing a little one-on-none and getting stuck in the face trying to prove he is done runnin' from the death of his friend Nutso and his brother played by Tupac. 

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star

Year (of Sneaker): 1917 

The flick had a Death Row/West Coast heavy influence and in the opening scene when Shep's friend falls off the rooftop trying to prove his skills it is kind of ironic to see him fall to his death in some Chucks. Bury him a G. 

Reebok Satellite Mid

Year (of Sneaker): 1990 

While he was housing Montrose and everyone else that stepped into his house (including himself) Kyle Lee Watson was shaking and alley-ooping to himself in some fresh Reeboks. His play was enough to get on Birdie's squad and earn him a few dollars, sneaker, clothes, and hoes—welcome to the good life, Kyle. 

Nike Air Force Max 

Year (of Sneaker): 1993 

The Fab Five wasn't the only crew thuggin' it out in the black colorway of Barkley's iconic sneaker. In the start of the movie we catch a shot of one of Birdie's dudes rocking a pair as they enter the gym to check out Kyle Lee Watson's game. 4-5's or Air Max, always strapped. 

Pony

Year (of Sneaker): 1990's 

Spud gave the brand major credibility  thanks to his hardware from the NBA Slam Dunk contest and in the late 80's and early 90's the low and high-top sneakers got love on the floor including a team model makeup rocked by Kyle's off guard and post man for the Monarchs. 

Reebok Pump Vertical 

Year (of Sneaker): 1992 

Boogs may have looked like a 14-carat Urkel on the playground but we have to dap him for a quick flip and breaking out one of Reebok's hottest new models just days after getting out of jail. Either you slangin' crack-rock or you got a wicked jump shot—Boogs jumper isn't that nice. 

Reebok Basketball

Year (of Sneaker): 1990s

Kyle switches it up on the blacktop and when he isn't donning his Monarch jersey, rocking a new pair of base model Reeboks (a little product placement) as Shep gives him a little advice on his jumper that came up short the night before when his team needed it most. The shark-teeth pattern was king during the early '90s, as evident on your favorite snapback during the same era as well as your Jordan Vs. 

Nike Air Diamond Turf 

Year (of Sneaker): 1993  

When Nike laced Deion with his Air Diamond Turfs they had to cater to the needs of one of the most diverse athletes of our generation, so it wasn't crazy to see these hit the courts. The strap was a look even Jordan and company had to put on their sneakers to keep up with the trends. 

Nike Air Ballistic Force 

Year (of Sneaker): 1992 

The Air Ballistic Forces have some history, getting some limelight in a hoops cinematic classic and they were also the shoes that helped Chuck beat Godzilla. Perfect for the playground, we get a shot of a white and orange colorway in the Reebok-sponsored shootout. We're guessing production forgot to take care of their connects.

ASICS GT Quick 

Year (of Sneaker): 1990s

ASICS wasn't just about pounding pavement with running shoes, in the early 90's they had a few kicks dope enough for the court, including the slim and ultra-fast cut GT Quicks. Isiah Thomas knew.

British Knights BK Dymacel Derrick Coleman

Year (of Sneaker): 1991 

Motaw was Birdman's wartime lieutenant, and just like DC he had no problem being the enforcer. The murdered-out black BK's took things to another level when Motaw (yup, that's Barksdale for you Wire fans) pulls the trigger trying to fade Kyle after he breaks his word to lose to Birdie in the championship game. 

Reebok Pump Omni Zone III

Year (of Sneaker): 1992 

The Pump's fame exploded wih Dee Brown in the '91 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and continued to build as Nike's biggest competition in the early '90s. The Omni Zone III was an all-around solid mid-cut basketball shoe featuring Hexalite cushioning (a step up from the Omni Zone's ERS) and the Pumps went hard in the streets, having everyone pumping it up in between buckets (or celebrating off the bench).