25 Historic Sneaker Moments in GIFs

Sneakers have become almost as mainstream as Starbucks in the last few years but what makes them significant, is the moments that happen in them. We recently broke down 50 Moments that Changed Sneakers Forever but we decided to step it up today with some action. Because really, what's fun about siblings fighting over sneakers? Nothing, but there is something pretty freakin' awesome about people lacing up an unreleased pair of sneakers to dunk on someone, or to perform at one of the biggest awards shows in the world. With that said, check out 25 Historic Sneaker Moments in GIFs.

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Sneaker: Nike Air Maestro

The Fab Five changed more than just college basketball with their black socks and baggy shorts in the early '90s as Michigan Wolverines. The look that Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King, Ray Jackson and Juwan Howard created with the Air Maestro, Air Force Max and Air Flight Huarache, would serve as a style that was the roots of today's sock movement. Would there even be Elite socks if it weren't for the Fab Five?

Sneaker: And1 Tai Chi

And 1 may have already found some shine with other players but when Vince Carter wore the Tai Chi to win the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, the shoe became immortal. Apparently an off-the-bounce, between-the-legs dunk on national television can do that kind of thing.

Sneaker: Nike Zoom Flight 95

With Dr. J on the sideline as a judge, Brent Barry proved that at least one white man can jump by dunking from the free throw line, instantly making the Zoom Flight 95 a cult favorite in upper-middle class suburban households.

Sneaker: Nike Shox BB4

Vince Carter literally jumped over Fredrick Weiss in the 2000 Olympics to dunk on him. Weiss is 7'2" and Carter is 6'6" on a good day. It must have been those Shox BB4s, right?

Sneaker: Nike Air Force 1

Hate it or love it, Nelly killed it with his track paying homage to the Nike Air Force 1. The song had 'heads trying to buy two pair of damn near every colorway of the AF1 that hit stores. Except those Lime Green Kiwis, you still couldn't get those if you had a personal genie.

Sneaker: Air Jordan IV

Sorry again, Craig.

Sneaker: Air Jordan I

Arguably the greatest sneaker ever created, the original Air Jordan became legendary just like MJ thanks to incredible dunks like this from the 1985 Slam Dunk Contest. Sneakers banned by the NBA, gold chains, and unbelievable slam dunks is what made MJ the best to ever do it. Kids, this is where your favorite rapper got his "swag" from.

Sneaker: Air Jordan IV "White Cement"

Do The Right Thing. 1989. Brooklyn. We don't even really need to explain. We've all experienced it.

Sneaker: Nike Zoom Generation

2004 marked one of the most unforgettable sneaker moments of the last decade. LeBron James' wheat colored Zoom Generation already stood out amongst any other sneaker but when King James decided to throw down a between the legs dunk during the Rookie-Sophomore game, it was instant icon status for the Wheats.

Sneaker: adidas Ultrastar, adidas Brougham, adidas Fleetwood

Run DMC repped the Three Stripes through and through, whether it was Ultrastars and Superstars with no laces or Cadillac-named Fleetwoods and Broughams. When they dropped My adidas back in 1986, it became a partnership that would forever be ingrained in the memories of sneaker-loving hip-hop fans (and so did the desire for gold dookie rope chains).

Sneaker: Nike SB Dunk "Pigeon"

Jeff Staple's Reed Space on the Lower East Side only had 20 pairs to sell but you wouldn't think that was the case by the hundreds of people pushing and shoving out front to get a pair of the Pigeon Dunks in 2005. The chaos caught national attention from news media.

Sneaker: Reebok Pump Omni Lite II

Depsite the rumors, Dee Brown was not paid by Reebok to "Pump Up" before showcasing his slam dunk skills. He was however, a Reebok endorser, so the residual benefits ended up paying off in the long run. So did that extra snug fit, apparently, because he won the contest in 1991.

Sneaker: Converse Pro Leather

MJ had a knack for hitting game-winners. The earliest that we all remember came when he was a UNC Tarheel in the 1982 National Championship game. Knocking down the jumper was so significant that it led to Nike and Converse collaborating on a special pack to commemorate the shot years later.

Sneaker: Air Jordan II

The Air Jordan II gets overlooked by a lot of 'heads but back in 1986, these joints were made in Italy and easily one of the best sneakers in the NBA. MJ helped take them to new heights in the Slam Dunk Contest and really, who could ever forget them?

Sneaker: Nike Air Yeezy

Kanye West showed up at the Grammy Awards wearing a retro-like sneaker from Nike that nobody had seen before in 2009. Hypebeasts have been feenin' ever since.

Sneaker: Air Jordan XIV

We all knew it was coming, but when MJ hit the jumper over Bryon Russell - who obviously just happened to slip - the picturesque pose was one that couldn't be more perfect for a end to Hall-of-Fame career. (At least until he decided to comeback as an old man, and then an even older and shittier GM, but that's beside the point.) We still got love for you, Mike.

Sneaker: Reebok Answer IV

Iverson was no stranger to making defenders look like a fool with his quickness but damn, Tyrone Lue got GOT! The step over and stare down on the way back down the court just elevated AI's level of G. Anyone see Tyrone since 2001?

Sneaker: Air Jordan I

MJ lit up the Celtics for 63 points in the '86 Playoffs and it had Larry Legend calling him "God in basketball shoes." For sneakerheads, this was just the beginning of a long lasting love affair with Chicago colored Air Jordans.

Sneaker: Converse Weapon

Magic versus Bird is about as classic as it gets when it comes to battles. In 1986, the Converse Choose Your Weapon campaign was as unforgettable as the on-court matchups.

Sneaker: Air Jordan XIII

In 2011, after warming up in a mix-matched pair of gold Air Jordan XIs and Bin 23 Jordan IXs, Ray Allen switched it up to the Air Jordan XIII PE. The white and green version of the XIII would release a short time later in extremely limited quantities and the commemorative colorway that Ray wore to take the NBA All-Time 3 Point lead, can still fetch top dollar.

Sneaker: Air Jordan VI "Infrared"

By 1991, we all knew that Mike could fly but we hadn't seen him get a ring until he flew through the air, avoiding Laker defenders and switching hands for a left-handed layup. The moment signified the Bulls finally becoming the best in the league, the Lakers slow fade from glory, and created the expectation for the black and red Air Jordans to be a staple in the NBA Playoffs.

Sneaker: Reebok Question

When Allen Iverson first crossed up MJ wearing the Reebok Question, Reebok gained instant cred. AI would get the best of Jordan a number of times in his career, but none was more symbolic than this memory from 1996.

Sneaker: Nike Foamposite Lite

In 2009, Nate Robinson put on an unfrogettable show at the NBA Dunk Contest. It finished with him jumping over "Superman" wearing a bright green "Kryptonate" Foamposite Lite. Dwight Howard's career has never fully recovered. Word to Soulja Boy.

Sneaker: Air Jordan VII "Olympics"

Fat Joe's sneaker lick on MTV Cribs in 2009 was a gangster move back then. The problem is that inspired wankstas and lame sneakerheads to do the same even to this day. And it's been how long?

Sneaker: Nike Air Mag

Well, he didn't exactly lace them himself. We all know in 2015 there's no need for that because we'll have auto-lacing systems. The same can't be said for the 1989 version of Marty McFly's sneakers.