With a unique paw-like stability shank, plenty of Zoom Air cushioning, and a sleek shape, these would look right at home on a WNBA court in 2014.Ĭhris Webber’s most well-known signature models include his beefy Nike Air Max variations and, to a lesser extent, the Dada CDubbz. However, the Zoom Swoopes model is often overlooked and we can’t begin to figure out why. Named by Nike as one of their most iconic basketball shoes, the Air Swoopes was groundbreaking in more ways than one. Many fans probably remember Sheryl Swoopes’ first signature model, the stability strap equipped Air Swoopes from 1996. Yeah, some things are better left forgotten. The trend came and went within the blink of an eye, but not before Dada did what any sensible sneaker company would do and made a pair of shoes complete with “rims” that keep spinning when you stop running. From choking out his coach to a handful of off-court antics, Sprewell was also synonymous with the spinning rims of luxury vehicles. Latrell Sprewell was one of the most talked about players of the late ‘90s, but usually for all the wrong reasons. Unfortunately, competition from industry titans like Nike, Reebok, and adidas spelled the demise of LA Gear’s hoops line. Karl Malone’s Catapult model is the perfect example, with its supportive high cut and Power Feedback System, which was like an enhanced version of Nike Air. Don’t get it twisted though, because they were making some serious noise on the hardwood as well. LA Gear sneakers are most often associated with the light-up LED styles of our youth. Its one-piece upper is a design cue that has become commonplace in today’s sneakers, and we’d love to see these back on shelves. Released during the height of Nike’s ultra-innovative Alpha Project, the Zoom GP II is one of those sneakers that just looks quick. That model, along with the Zoom GP1, featured a lockdown sheath which covered the laces, but the GP II let them loose. Last year, Nike Sportswear fulfilled the wishes of many hoops fans when they brought back the Zoom Flight The Glove. The only thing that the Converse All-Star Rodman had in common with the original All-Star model was its logo badge, accented by a tattoo-inspired tribal sun on the Worm’s version. With a reputation that could amount to a nightmare for any PR team, Dennis Rodman left the Swoosh for Converse in the mid-‘90s, and the result was a sneaker as bold and stylish as the man himself. Although details are sketchy, this black/purple colorway was said to be a Euro-only release, but there’s no doubt that it’d be a hit in the States in 2014.īad as he wanna be. 1994’s Rogue 2 is a perfect example, with its Air Jordan VII-like lockdown straps and neoprene inner bootie. Believe it or not, there’s still plenty of unearthed greatness at their fingertips. Since their return, the brand has been dedicated to producing accurate re-releases of their most popular ‘90s styles, including the 33 Hi, Guard, and Focus. In 2012, Ewing Athletics was one of the first brands to really embrace the retro hoops comeback.
With an unshakable affinity for basketball and all things pop culture, he can be found on Twitter 10 NBA Players That Deserve a Signature Shoe RELATED: 25 NFL Players That Deserve a Signature Training Shoe Riley Jones is a freelance writer from Charlottesville, VA and a contributor to Sneaker Report. Take a trip down memory lane and see if any of these 10 Forgotten Signature Basketball Models look familiar. Whether they’ve yet to retro or were produced by a now-defunct company, many of these models giving new meaning to the phrase digging in the vault. Still, there’s a ton of great (and some not-so-great) designs out there that deserve to be acknowledged at the very least. As of late, we’ve seen brands like Ewing Athletics, Reebok, and Converse bring back some of their archived hoops sneakers, and it was recently announced that Etonic will be joining the fun with an upcoming re-launch of Hakeem Olajuwon’s 1984 model. The nostalgia and memories tied to these shoes won’t fade away anytime soon, but what about some of the lesser remembered models?ĭid you know Karl Malone had his own LA Gears? Remember Gary Payton’s post-Glove signature styles? From short-lived endorsements to downright wacky designs, there are a number of great signature basketball releases that have been neglected through the years.
These aren’t just shoes they’re iconic pieces of gear that were worn for triumphant wins, milestone accomplishments, and history-defining moments. When it comes to signature basketball kicks, the classics tend to stick with us.
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