How shoes popularized Basketball

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world because you only need three things to play a hoop, a ball, and a pair of sturdy basketball shoes. Some may argue that you may not need the shoes to play, but in the case of the nba, shoes may have been the one thing that made it what it is today. Of course it was not only the shoes that made basketball popular, it was also the players that endorsed and created the shoes. The players are what made the shoes the coolest things you could wear on the basketball court. Which shoes and players are responsible for creating the frenzy that we now see today in the NBA? To answer this question We are going to take a step back into time to examine some of the most iconic basketball shoes ever created as well as the players that made them popular.
One man dominated basketball and gave shoes the kind of popularity we see today. Without Michael Jordan's influence on the game, we wouldn't be here today. The Icon is the sole reason why all of this is even possible. He is the one athlete no one has a problem calling the Greatest of All Time. This symbol is probably the most recognizable symbol in basketball and possibly across all sports. Years and years of marketing and so far unsurpassed greatness have amounted to the most dominate brand in basketball. Since its introduction into the sports shoe market, the Air Jordan's global popularity has grown immensely, providing Nike with its all-time top-selling signature basketball shoe. Part of the great success is due to the many styles and color schemes that continue to be offered by the Air Jordan. Today Jordan Brand releases many different models of shoes such as Modern Basketball shoes, Training Shoes, Casual Shoes and throw backs. Even though he is retired I think it is safe to say that jordans legacy will live on through his shoes. Clyde frazier was renowned for his style both on and off the court. This type of attention inspired Puma to give Clyde his own signature shoe with the inception of the Puma Clyde in 1973. Just like Clyde himself, the Puma Clyde is equally at ease on and off the court. The Puma Clyde has become one of the most recognizable and restyled shoes in history. This original signature Shoe inspired other companies to create signature shoes for players to gain attention and popularity. Following in similar fashion as the chucks the clydes can still be seen on the street today in a variety of colors and materials and almost exclusively represent the style of artists, DJs, b-boys, musicians and graffiti artists.

Iverson's original Questions put Reebok back into basketball contention. Arguably the best Reebok basketball shoes ever made. Allen Iverson, with his tattoos and corn rows Iverson appealed to a new generation of NBA fans. When Iverson played Georgetown University he was nicknamed the Answer. So, When he turned pro with the 76ers, Reebok released his signature shoe and appropriately called it the Question. Iverson wore the shoes his rookie year and went down in history when he put crossover move on Jordan that froze him in his tracks. These shoes and that move really symbolized that Iverson was the answer to a new younger era of basketball and style.

The Original Chuck Taylor dominated the basketball scene for over 40 years. The canvas sneaker with rubber soles is the all-time best selling sneaker at over 500 million pairs sold and counting. It wasn't until leather debuted on basketball sneakers in the 60's did the canvas Chucks began its decline. Chucks are still worn to this day, but not by basketball players. The original shoes have been passed down from generation to generation to define there look. It is somewhat strange that a shoe that is so rich in basketball history is now worn by hipsters in every imaginable style and color walking down the street.

Magic and Bird loaded up with the Converse Weapons to develop the rivalry that 'saved' the NBA. Many argue that without the massive media attention that was placed on the rivalry, the NBA might not have made it through the 1980s. Instead of just one signature shoe converse shook things up a bit by giving a signature shoe to multiple players with the colors of the show defining the team. People could now get shows that represented there favorite players colors.

Proclaimed as the greatest rebounder in the history of the NBA, Charles Barkley is also a pop culture icon no one can forget. Along with his game, Charles Barkley also had an iconic shoe line produced by Nike. Barkley's signature shoes became the flagship of Nike's lineup at nearly $150, surpassing Air Jordan's in terms of price, technology, design, functionality and popularity. He could never keep up with michael, but his shoes definitely helped promote him and the sport.

Adidas returned to the basketball segment with the signing of Kobe Bryant. Success of early Kobe "Feet You Wear" models led to the eventual creation of the Audi TT inspired shoe that proved the 3-Stripes had what it takes to compete with the big big names. Since then Kobe has made the switch over to Nike and is still considered one of the most dominant players in the nba. Kobe really marks the end of the older era and the beginning of the new era.

The war for basketball market share between Reebok and

Air Force 1 debuts as the first Nike basketball shoe with an air sole. The Air technology differentiated Nike from rest of the competition and propelled the company to become the industry's leader, a position that Nike still holds to this day. This shoe marks the beginning of a new era of shoes and players. This shoe also inspired the first signature of the greatest player of all time. Nike in the late 80's and early 90's was heating up. Reebok struck back against Air by releasing The Pump. The innovative technology allowed air to be pumped into the shoe by pressing repeatedly on an orange basketball. Reeboks Advancements in shoe technology kept them afloat in the basketball market and eventually influenced the design of Allen Iversons signature kicks.

These are the players that really sparked the shoe revolution, and concreted basketball as one of the best sports of all time. I would hate to think what would have happend to Professional basketball if these players did not step up? What I do know is that shoes and basketball have and will continue to develop. All of the players that follow these players owe them a debt of gratitude for paving the way for basketball and the signature shoes that it seems like almost every player in the nba now has.

1921 - 1960s
Converse All star

Early to mid1970s
Puma

Mid to late 1970s

Converse - weapon

1983
nike - Air Force 1

1984-1993
Air jordans

1989
reebok - pumps

1994
nike - Air Max Barkley

1996
reebok- Iverson

1998
adidas - kobe