words // Zack Schlemmer
We're back with another edition of the Kicks on Cards Collection, where we take a look at a five-set of classic basketball cards with sightings of our favorite sneakers of years past. This week we begin with Charles Barkley in a rarely seen colorway of the Nike Air Much Uptempo.
Varying from the popular Air More Uptempo by only having a heel Air bag instead of full-length visible Air, the Much Uptempo was most notably worn at the pro level by Gary Payton in the 1996 Olympics with Team USA. Chuck's pair seen here in a rare colorway featured a unique tonal white upper, which obviously downplayed the bold "AIR" design, along with a solid black sole, tongue and laces.
Next up is Danny Ferry in a shoe that makes its first Kicks on Cards appearance, the Converse Run N' Slam II. The Run N' Slam II was Kevin Johnson's second signature model with Converse, and also a popular team shoe at both the college and professional levels of play. It featured a midfoot strap for lockdown support and visible REACT Juice in the heel. Who wouldn't mind seeing Converse bring back some of their classic 90's models like the Run N' Slam series?
Sharpshooter Hersey Hawkins is then seen in the Nike Air Flight Huarache, followed by Travis Best in the Nike Air Maestro '96 (look closely and you'll also see Derek Strong in the Air Jordan X). A young Brendan Haywood closes out this set sporting the Air Signature Player, one of the forgotten Foamposite models. What's your favorite sneaker sighting of the bunch?
Charles Barkley -- Nike Air Much Uptempo
Danny Ferry -- Converse Run N' Slam II
Hersey Hawkins -- Nike Air Flight Huarache
Travis Best -- Nike Air Maestro '96
Brendan Haywood -- Nike Air Signature Player
