5. ADIDAS SUPERSTAR

Before Bryant, Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, or LeBron James designed their own shoes, Adidas ruled the hardcourt. No basketball shoe signified the dominance of the Three Stripes more than the Superstar. Released in 1969, this was the first low top basketball shoe to feature an all-leather top. But the major hook for the Superstars has always been that shell toe. Within the first few years of its introduction, the Superstar was being worn by most NBA players. So popular was the design that it has crossed over into popular culture, particularly when Run-D.M.C. rapped the song "My Adidas" while wearing Superstars with no laces. So popular have the Superstars been that on the 35th anniversary of the shoe's release, Adidas collaborated with icons in music, fashion, and the arts to create a special Adidas Superstar 35th Anniversary Collection.

6. NIKE AIR FORCE MAX

Charles Barkley had long lived in Jordan's shadow. Not as dynamic as Jordan or as media-friendly, Barkley relished being the anti-thesis of the saintly MJ. When Barkley got traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1992, Nike saw fit to finally equip him with some serious kicks. The Air Force Max, particularly the black variant, were "bad" to the core. It was only fitting that Barkley won his only MVP award during his only NBA Finals appearance wearing these bad boys.