The 30 Best Sneakers of the NBA Season

Image via Complex Original

The shortened NBA season wrapped up last night, and even though we got 16 fewer games, the amount of heat on the court arguably was one of the best to date. Sneaker companies are going hard supporting their star players with plentiful colorways of their signature models, while other players reached back to rock classics night after night. How did the season shape up in footwear? Check the gallery and see The Top 30 Sneakers of the NBA Season and let us know which pair stood out the most to you.

RELATED: Sneaker Report - The 16 Best Performance Shoes of 2013 NCAA Tournament

30. Under Armour Bloodline "Compton" 

Who: Brandon Jennings 

Under Armour is making big strides with its signature series basketball sneakers. This past season they pushed a dope "Where I'm From" campaign and to help pay tribute to Jennings old stomping grounds in Cali they laced him with this blood-red pair of his signature Bloodlines — red nation.

29. Converse Pro Leather 2011 

Who: Chris Andersen  

Converse remixed a classic and didn't do too much to compromise the original design and features of a nostalgic sneaker worn by some of the greatest almost 30 years ago. They lightened it up with synthetics, and provided a bit more cushioning than Dr. J and MJ were used to. Good to see Birdman (no, the other Birdman — the one with the crazier tattoos) still doing what he does best.  

28. Jordan Melo M8 "Knicks Away" 

Who: Carmelo Anthony 

We all knew that once the Knicks traded for Melo that the sneaker game was about to step up. With the previous models a lot of fans were on the fence about the design, but the 8s seemed to be unanimously his greatest basketball shoes to date. The special edition colorways and designs typically get the most love, but we'll stick with the traditional Knicks navy and orange any day. 

27. Air Jordan Retro X "Chicago" 

Who: Courtney Lee 

Lee has earned a bit of a rep rocking some of the best OG colorways that Mike himself took to the air in with the Bulls a few decades ago. Around the time of the release of retro "Chicago" Xs, Houston's Lee strapped up and went to work.

26. Nike Air Max2 Uptempo "Duke" 

Who: Delonte West 

Nice to see Delonte take a break from freestyling in KFC drive-throughs and take his NBA serious. From the looks of his kicks, his sneaker arsenal got real serious during the off-season too, as he broke out some "Duke" influenced Uptempos from '95. Swag.

25. Nike Air Max Penny I  

Who: Earl Clark 

Good move by Nike giving the original Pennys a retro look in 2011 — easily one of the most celebrated non-Jordans the company has ever dropped. Earl Clark and Kahwi Leonard hooped in the Pennys on a nightly basis proving that even though they were designed over 15 years ago they still hold up just as well with the latest and greatest from The Swoosh. 

24. Air Jordan Retro VII "Bordeaux" 

Who: Jordan Crawford 

After a decade-plus hiatus from shelves, the "Bordeaux" VIIs got a long-overdue release last fall and Crawford took full advantage, hooping in the classics the majority of the season. Hey, his name IS Jordan.

23. Air Jordan Retro IV "Cements"

Who: Jared Jeffries 

The Knicks were one of the most interesting squads of the season, you had no clue what team was going to show up on any given night — they also surprised with the kicks they laced up. The same night J.R. Smith broke out the Concord XIs, Jeffries rocked the Cement IVs — sneakerheads had Twitter timelines running fast that night on the amount of heat that was on the court (and the debate if Jeffries was the worst player to ever rock a pair of Js). 

22. Nike N7 Zoom KD IV 

Who: Kevin Durant  

One of the best releases of the season, the colorway and concept was tough to beat. No one had any questions about Durant's play, but his sneaker line still had a little bit to be desired. Numerous colorways and a serious upgrade with the tech at such an affordable price — they get it. 

21. Nike Zoom Uptempo V 

Who: Jason Kidd 

Kidd ditched the PEAKs, went back to the Swoosh, and rocked a retro version of his first signature sneaker this year. Good idea — at the age of 55, sometimes its better to go with what you trust. 

20. Nike Zoom Kobe VII "Cheetah" 

Who: Kobe Bryant 

The IV - VIs were almost identical and although the VII shares a lot of the same features and ideas it truly moved things forward for Kobe's brand with interchangeable cushioning and ankle heights a la Jordan 2012. The cheetah print VIIs helped open up the NBA season when the Lakers hosted the Bulls — fans didn't get a pair courtside like they did with the "Grinch" VIs, but still trill nonetheless.

19. Air Jordan Retro XI "Bred" 

Who: Monta Ellis 

Sneaker champ of 2012? Maybe. After trading in his And1 sneakers (and getting traded to Milwaukee), Monta started breaking out retro Jordans like it was nothing including the playoff XIs that helped lead Mike and company to the Bulls's fourth title. Monta unfortunately will be spending the postseason stacking kicks for next season. 

18. Nike Air Max2 CB 94 

Who: Nate Robinson 

Even during the lockout Nate Dogg took to Twitter to show that a lack of season wasn't going to slow him down with the hoop shoes. Once the NBA got back into action Robinson blessed us with some ill retro spotteds including the murdered-out Barkleys. 

17. Nike LeBron 9 "Galaxy" 

Who: LeBron James 

With brands going all out to keep their biggest stars fresh on the brightest stage of the season, Nike took things literally with the space-themed line for the 2012 All-Star Game. The orange 9s might have been bright enough to see millions of miles in the sky — if not, the glow-in-the-dark soles got them on the radar. 

16. Air Jordan Retro XIII "Playoffs"

Who: Nate Robinson 

The Jordans were dope but maybe a bit premature with the Warriors a step back from a post-season run. Nate abandoned Sir Charles for MJ, maybe hoping for a little of that Bulls magic to rub off. Oh well, there's always next year.

15. Air Jordan Retro III "True Blues"

Who: Paul George 

Well, if Reggie Miller wore Jordans — and he did — there's no reason other Pacers can't do the same. Paul George didn't win the Slam Dunk Contest this year, but he sure did wear some Air Jordan IIIs. One step at a time. 

14. Air Jordan Retro XI "Concords"

Who: JR Smith 

Fresh off a plane, konichiwa bitches — in just his second game back in the states, J.R. Smith rocked the classic Jordans. His icy kicks and hard play won over The Garden quick. #koldgame.

13. Air Jordan Retro III "Black/Cement" 

Who: Courtney Lee 

We already named these the greatest Jordans of all-time earlier this week, the fact that over 20 years later they're still so functionally dope on the court — 'nuff said. And actually, Courtney has played in these for years. Tinker knows.

12. adidas Top Ten 2000 "High Energy" 

Who: Iman Shumpert

If there was one trend we noticed this past season, it's that the bright colorways were king. Nike took the edge with its All-Star series, but The Three Stripes wasn't too far away with a few colorways like the 'High Energy" Top Tens rocked by Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert. 

11. Nike Air Trainer Classic 

Who: Gilbert Arenas 

It took a minute before someone got Gilbert Arenas back in an arena but as soon as he was back in the building he picked right back up where he left off. If you go back to his days at 'Zona Gilbert has been picking trainers over traditional basketball shoes on occasion and we have seen Amar'e go the same route. And Gil's always been one to rock the lows.

10. Air Jordan Retro V "Toro Bravo - Raging Bull"

Who: Jordan Crawford 

This might be one of the brief highlights of the Wizards season — the red suede uppers looked so dope with the the uniform and Crawford paid respect to a great and the city that he used to play in. You do remember that Mike was a Wizard, right?

9. Air Jordan Retro XIII PE 

Who: Ray Allen 

Mr. Jesus Shuttlesworth has been getting hooked up with player editions from MJ’s crew for a minute now. Allen rocked his sick pair of XIIIs that matched perfectly with his Celtics green. When you hit 2,700+ trifectas, good things are bound to happen. Practice that jumper, son. 

8. Air Jordan Retro III "Black Flip" 

Who: Richard Hamilton  

It's risky to mess with a classic silhouette like the IIIs, but when we first got a look at the "Black Flips" it had the people talking giving JB approval for the move. With a December release it was only a matter of time before they hit the courts and long-time Jordan member and newly appointed D. Rose sidekick Richard Hamilton donned the kicks on court. 

7. adidas adiZero Rose 2 "Windy City"

Who: Derrick Rose 

When was the last time there was so much hype for an adidas basketball sneaker? After slaughtering opponents on his way to a MVP season, Rose saw adidas follow up with the the two point oh version of his signature kicks, dropping the top down a little bit for a lower and sleeker cut. Paying tribute to the Chi in the process was a no-brainer.

6. Air Jordan Retro XIII "Flints" 

Who: Tyrus Thomas 

We know many people were disappointed with the lack of 3M on the 2010 release of the "Flints," but you can't deny the excitement every time these make an appearance on an NBA floor. Wish we could say the same for the Bobcats. Ouch.

5. Air Jordan I Alpha "Royal Blue/Black"

Who: Jared Jeffries 

Jared Jeffries might have Knicks fans heated with his play at times but you have to admit his sneaker game is proper. The Black/Royal 1s are one of the best non-traditional Jordans to date, and in Alpha form they were perfectly updated to um, draw charges.

4. Air Jordan Retro XIV "Last Shot" 

Who: Dwyane Wade

Taking a break from the Fly Wade 2s for a few games, Dwyane chose the XIVs over his own sneakers doing his best Jordan "Last Shot" impression — well done Agent D3. Now, do it again to win the Finals and we can talk.

3. Nike LeBron 9 PE "Miami Floridian" 

Who: LeBron James

The Swoosh continued to keep breaking out new colorways for its biggest star (sorry Kobe) on what felt like a nightly basis but none were as cold as the "Miami Floridian" player exclusives that The King himself donned on the court. Not quite "Pre-Heat" 8 status but can we still get a GR, Nike? Please.

2. Air Jordan Retro XI "Space Jam" 

Who: Monta Ellis 

The XIs are still breaking necks on the court even 15 years later. After leaving And1, Monta Ellis had sneakerheads on Nike Talk going crazy with his kicks on the court including the "Space Jam" XIs — easily one of the best looks of the season. 

1. Nike Air Foamposite One "Galaxy" 

Who: Rajon Rondo 

Rondo had another outstanding season, putting up some disgusting stat lines and rocking the biggest hypebeast kicks of 2012 — we doubt he had to hit anyone with the fade for a pair of these, but the assault on his foes this year has been serious. (To be fair, Delonte West wore these too — in a regular-season game, no less. Be nice, Rajon, and share the crown.)