" Before we get this started....lemme explain it..."Dilla- This list is compiled from straight flyness, style and design. The sneaker's i've chosen i've loved throughout the years!!! so, without further adue,
" Let's Get Serious"-Jermaine Jackson....
7. Converse Weapon
Released in '86, This sneaker was iconic and made famous by one of the THE GREATEST basketball player's ever to shoot a 3-point shot, Larry Bird. The design of kicks was extremely simple, but effective and most of all " Fly". I never had the chance of owning a pair, but these were always on my list as one of the greatest basketball sneakers ever made.
6. Scottie Pippen Uptempo
"Keep my feet blessed, fresh wit the Scottie Pippen's"Pete Rock- All the way from '96 comes the ultimate shotgun wingman sneaker ever to be created. As a youngin' i didn't care how bulky this shoe was (Most basketball sneakers were in the 90's) it was still fresh in a major way! All of the baller's in my hometown( Detroit) back then either roc'ed these...or Air Force 1's THAT WAS IT! Also, the comfort was a cool perk. They made you feel like you could jump high....just not as high as Jordan's...but that's another story.
5. Reebok Shaq Attaq
Original release in '92, These kicks changed lives. I had these when they first dropped, but the one's i had...the color's were reversed on the shoe (OG) STILL, they were flawless in both design and freshness. Reebok was also ingenius in putting "The Pump" on the shoe. I remember copping these in the dead winter, and i wore them. Needless to say, they didn't last long ( Suede and Detroit winter's don't mix AT ALL!!). Also, back in the day the joke was " If you pumped up your shoes on an airplane you wouldn't survive"...or some jive. Either way, these definitely made my list. Thanks Shaq!
4. Nike Air Max CB 34 ( The Barkley's)
Another '96 release, (96 was a good year) the CB 34's got overlooked hard! but i'm here to show them some love. I see now young cat's wearing the Barkley-Posite's, but this sneaker will always be my most favorite Barkley shoe.
3. Nike Flightposite
Released in 1999, The flightposite's are one of THE MOST scientific basketball shoes created. The lightweight feel matched with a kick-ass design ( inspired by the knife, the car and an onion) this shoe had to make the list. And i'm lazy, so the fact there isn't any shoe strings is a plus 5 in my book!!!
2. Nike Jordan III
Let's face it, Jordan's are iconic ESPECIALLY the 3's. No matter what color pattern, and no matter where you roc them...these will always stand out in a crowd. Hatfield ( The Designer) did the damn thing with this one, proving his design, creativity and functionality could stand the test of time. For almost 2 decades ( released in '88) this shoe has outlasted and surpassed many basketball sneakers including other Jordan design's. This is why it's number 2 in my list! Now, for NUMBER 1!!
1. Nike Jordan V
My ALL TIME FAVORITES!!!
" You are my Number 1!-Change" Released in 1990, I call these " The Ouu-Ahh's". Another Hatfield creation inspired by the WW2 Mustang Fighter Plane, these dropped the bomb on all basketball sneakers ever created. These in fact, make you feel like you can jump higher AND score 69 points in a game like the legend did himself against Cleveland. Now, i don't knock the Foamposites, the Lebrons, or the Penny's. These just take the cake for me. I went so far as to almost getting married wearing these kicks...but the wife WAS NOT having it ( A lil too hood for her taste). Nevertheless, these are my " end-all-be-all's". Love these!!!
So, there you have it, my personal list about my personal fav's of Basketball Sneakers. Shout out to the
Nike Air Force One Hi being an "Honorable Mention". They need credit, and Rasheed Wallace knew they were pretty fly as well. That's the only Professional Athlete i've seen roc them joints in a REAL GAME ( Hood...) Anyway, hope you like my list...stay tuned...and stay FLY!!!
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