These are my pick of the Top 5 Greatest Basketball shoes to be created. My ratings are based on the revolution of shoes that the wearers of the shoes made towards street culture and kicks(sneakers) in general, rather then mass appealing generic basketball shoes.
Here are my Top 5:
5. Converse Weapons
One of the first mass production basketball shoe, to offer proper ankle protection. The weapons were most iconic worn by the two biggest players in NBA, in a time before Michael Jordan's era- Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Both rivals but also greatest of friends off-court.
The weapons were to become one of Converse's best selling shoes, with the ranks of Converse Chuck Taylors.
Also check out the ad from the good ol' days of basketball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJEa2c_939o&feature=related
4. Vince Cartier's Nike Shox
One of the most iconic and most memorable dunks of all of the Olympic Games of basketball, or perhaps, one of the top 5 greatest dunks in all of time in international competitions would be the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where Cartier dunked over 7'2 foot French Center 'Wiess' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieXETZVLJa4&feature=fvw
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hW5ysyH6Qd4/S9L-qRZeQZI/AAAAAAAAADg/qvDrrVwyAKE/s320/nike_shox_vc_iii.jpg)
The nike shox runners now seen are also quite similar to the soles(blue bit on the shoes) on Carter's Bball shoes
3. Air Max 1 Charles Barkley 180
Nicknamed "Sir Charles" for his aggressive and outspoken demeanor, and "The Round Mound of Rebound" for his unusual build and talent, Barkley established himself as one of the NBA's most dominating power forwards. Sir Charles was part of he1992-93 USA Dream Team, winning gold.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hW5ysyH6Qd4/S9QQParkbZI/AAAAAAAAAEI/EvPbbxrDIZY/s320/charles-barkley-pe-air-force-180-1.jpg)
2. Air Jordan 1
The first Air Jordan(Js) shoe to be released, the series, which would eventually turn out to be one of the most successfully series of shoes to be created. This shoe is still one of the most sorta after Js to be sorta after. Shoes such as Nike High dunks and nike SBs structure have been copied from AJ 1. The AJ 1 has now been customised to give similar but different sizes, namely the AJ retros.
1. Air Jordan XI(11)
One of the most sort after Js from the series, with it's great looks and technology at the time. AJ 11 despite varies remixes of the shoe, remains one of the most clean and well respected Js in the series of 23 J. This shoe was featured in the Looney Tunes movie "Space Jam", where Jordan was wearing the 11s.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hW5ysyH6Qd4/S9QUNkkWxMI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ssitVjuh7x0/s320/Air_Jordan_11.jpg)
Post by Tim
Here are my Top 5:
5. Converse Weapons
One of the first mass production basketball shoe, to offer proper ankle protection. The weapons were most iconic worn by the two biggest players in NBA, in a time before Michael Jordan's era- Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Both rivals but also greatest of friends off-court.
The weapons were to become one of Converse's best selling shoes, with the ranks of Converse Chuck Taylors.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hW5ysyH6Qd4/S9L56r2gU1I/AAAAAAAAADY/9IsEyHu8bKM/s320/converse-weapon-shoes.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJEa2c_939o&feature=related
4. Vince Cartier's Nike Shox
One of the most iconic and most memorable dunks of all of the Olympic Games of basketball, or perhaps, one of the top 5 greatest dunks in all of time in international competitions would be the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where Cartier dunked over 7'2 foot French Center 'Wiess' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieXETZVLJa4&feature=fvw
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hW5ysyH6Qd4/S9L-qRZeQZI/AAAAAAAAADg/qvDrrVwyAKE/s320/nike_shox_vc_iii.jpg)
The nike shox runners now seen are also quite similar to the soles(blue bit on the shoes) on Carter's Bball shoes
3. Air Max 1 Charles Barkley 180
Nicknamed "Sir Charles" for his aggressive and outspoken demeanor, and "The Round Mound of Rebound" for his unusual build and talent, Barkley established himself as one of the NBA's most dominating power forwards. Sir Charles was part of he1992-93 USA Dream Team, winning gold.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hW5ysyH6Qd4/S9QQParkbZI/AAAAAAAAAEI/EvPbbxrDIZY/s320/charles-barkley-pe-air-force-180-1.jpg)
2. Air Jordan 1
The first Air Jordan(Js) shoe to be released, the series, which would eventually turn out to be one of the most successfully series of shoes to be created. This shoe is still one of the most sorta after Js to be sorta after. Shoes such as Nike High dunks and nike SBs structure have been copied from AJ 1. The AJ 1 has now been customised to give similar but different sizes, namely the AJ retros.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hW5ysyH6Qd4/S9QR6b-vgLI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/M90adWf0Pjk/s320/air_jordan_1.jpg)
One of the most sort after Js from the series, with it's great looks and technology at the time. AJ 11 despite varies remixes of the shoe, remains one of the most clean and well respected Js in the series of 23 J. This shoe was featured in the Looney Tunes movie "Space Jam", where Jordan was wearing the 11s.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hW5ysyH6Qd4/S9QUNkkWxMI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ssitVjuh7x0/s320/Air_Jordan_11.jpg)
Post by Tim
April 25, 2010 at 7:07 AM
Where are the AJ IX's?!
September 3, 2018 at 8:26 PM
Hi. really appreciated post. please continue to share more posts. very informative. you can get more info about basketball shoes and more outdoor and indoor gadgets at howstrends.com