Founded in 1993 and still relevant to this day, AND1 Streetball shaped street culture around the globe. Whether through killer streetball mixtapes or the release of their own basketball apparel. You can't write a better ending," Air Jordan vice president Gentry Humphrey said. "It just doesn't get any better than that." Avar described it as an "alternative product," so it was only right that Rodman, the league's most eccentric and colorful player, became the face of the funky side-lacing sneaker. Adidas tapped automaker Audi to co-create his signature series at the turn of the millennium. Inspired by the sleek lines and molding of the TT Roadster, The Kobe was worn for Bryant's first three NBA championships. After a decade-long hiatus, New Balance's relaunch of its new well-received OMN1S model couldn't have gotten a better on-court co-sign. Leonard wore it for one of the more impressive Finals MVP runs in league history.

Had it not been for the Jordan 3, Michael Jordan very well might have fled to Adidas in 1989, once his Nike contract was set to expire. Knowing Jordan wanted a more broken-in shoe after missing most of the prior season with a foot injury, Hatfield selected soft leathers and designed a mid-cut height. Robinson might have been the NBA headliner for the high-top, bulky sneaker, but the Command Force was best known as Billy Hoyle's shoe of choice in the classic movie "White Men Can't Jump." Designer Wilson Smith III created Nike's most brash execution of an "Air Max" shoe yet, literally lettering out A-I-R along the sneaker to highlight the brand's decade-defining technology. There’s a real vision that’s going into this — this isn’t just an ex-basketball player coming around and using somebody else’s money,” the former Boston Celtic said. “ I actually am a creative guy; I’m super-visual.“Inspired by the "nose art" seen on fighter planes, the Air Jordan 5's graphic midsole design invoked Jordan's aerial acrobatics on the floor, while the 3M reflective tongue and clear rubber outsole made it a crossover hit off the floor.

Frazier was a foundational figure who helped to define the league's on- and off-court style. Puma not only made him the face of the brand, the company also awarded him the NBA's first signature sneaker. Ever since, the Clyde has been an ongoing staple model for the company, and it now sets the foundation and inspiration for its current basketball relaunch. Certainly, the pair is solidly made, and the rubber soles grip firmly onto the surface. The material is also very breathable. But you’ll have to judge if that’s enough to justify the price. Designed in tandem with Bryant just after he signed with Nike in 2003, the 2K4 grounded the industry with a much-needed modern and simple design at a time when every brand was releasing space-age products.Inspired by Jordan's Ferrari 550 Maranello, the XIV represented the way MJ could maneuver, accelerate and brake in an instant. Jordan also happened to be wearing it for his series-clinching jumper in the 1998 Finals.