nike air force 1
Basketball’s All Time Greats!
When you think about All Time Greats in basketball you might think about Julius Erving, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and of course the G.O.A.T himself Michael Jordan. For many of these players having a shoe endorsement with a major sports brand came part of the job and helped elevate their fame on and off the court. Along with the legacy some of these players left behind, their signature shoes have lasted the test of time and have become iconic in today’s sneaker culture.
No other brand has dominated the Basketball court in the last 3 decades like Nike. Signing MJ to a sponsorship deal in ‘84 helped Nike become the multi billion-dollar company it is today. So, for the sake of argument our all time greats are from the world’s 1 basketball brand.
Now i’m sure this is one of the most debated subjects by every sneaker head around the world, so continue reading and start commenting. Here are some of SoleHeaven’s greatest Basketball shoes of all time.
Nike Air Force 1 – In ‘82 Nike launched the most functional Basketball shoe of its time, the Air Force 1. This was the first ever Basketball shoe to feature the full length zoom air unit and one which included an ankle strap to prevent ankle injuries. This shoe has now become an iconic silhouette in the shoe game and has a massive following in the hip-hop scene. You can even say that this shoe has certainly been a major player in the resurgence of the hi-top sneaker today.
Nike Dunk – Back in ‘85 Being True to Your School was a movement Nike started with the Nike Dunk. Releasing the Dunk in a multitude of colours for teams such as the Georgetown Hoyas and the University of Michigan you could co-ordinate the shoe with any team Basketball kit. This really helped to break away from the white Basketball shoes of its day. Today, if you check out the feet of most high school kids you’ll notice that the Dunk is still as popular as is was back then, although now it’s warn with baggy sweats instead of 4” Basketball shorts.
Air Jordan 3 – The Air Jordan 3, the first Jordan to embody the Jumpman logo and one that propelled MJ to the next level in the NBA. In 88, MJ won nearly every individual award including league MVP and the Slam Dunk title; it definitely had to be the shoes as quoted by Mars Blackman himself. These are arguably one of the most desirable Air Jordan’s ever and with the iconic elephant print design they will go down in sneaker history as an all time classic. Need I say more?
Air Jordan 11 – Any sneaker head around the world has toyed with the idea of wearing this shoe at a formal party or even a wedding. Man, I’m even thinking of wearing them for my wedding one day (If the missus allows me to that is) The Air Jordan 11 bought style and elegance to the Basketball court with its Patent Leather upper. With it’s initial design inspiration being a sock, MJ bought further insight into the design process by requesting the Patent Leather upper so he could wear the shoe with his tux. The Air Jordan 11 has to be the coolest Jordan shoe ever. Period.
Nike Foamposite 1 – Now if heaven had a shoe I’m sure it would be this. In ’97 Nike launched its most expensive and most innovative shoe to date. The idea having the outsole, midsole and upper all made from the same mold was one of the biggest challenges in the history of Nike, but one of which they achieved with the Foamposite 1. With one of these shoes molds costing a cool $750k you can understand the neck snapping price tag and hype that comes with a shoe like this. This shoe has now been re-released many times since the original when Lil’ Penny was rocking them in those Penny Hardaway ads. Perhaps it’s most coveted release was when Nate Robinson rocked them in the ‘09 Slam Dunk competition while jumping over big man Dwight Howard. Even Superman would die for a pair.
So there you have it, some are a given, some may be a surprise to you all. But based on the pure impact and influence that these shoes have had on the Basketball court and sneaker game there is no question that these shoes will be sought after by sneaker heads in years to come.
Until next time.
KB – Veteran Baller/Sneaker lover
Nike Innovation or Automation?
We’ve been having a very interesting debate here at SoleHeaven HQ with colleagues, friends and customers about the future of sneaker design and manufactuering advancement.
In our last two buying appointment’s we’ve had with Nike, they have introduced two advancements in how they design and manufactuer their new range of Nike Air Max 1, Air Max 90 & Air Force 1. Those innovations are called Nike Hyperfuse and Nike Vac-Tech.
Over the coming weeks Nike’s Hyperfuse technology will be released via the next generation of Nike Air Max 1, Nike Air Max 90 & Nike Air Force 1. Hyperfuse uses heat and pressure to weld the panels together, hence no stitching.
And this is the issue, if there is no stitching they can reduce their labour costs, because only a machine can heat weld. Does this design innovation actually disguise the fact that they are automating to reduce labour costs, or is this genuine innovation?
What do you think?
