Tim Hardaway
photo via Eastbay BlogWhen: 1998
Shoes: Nike Air Zoom T-Bug Flight
Much like The Glove, Tim Hardaway would see a signature shoe far after he burst on the scene. While the Miami PG is often associated with the Air Bakin and Afterburner, the Nike Air Zoom T-Bug Flight was his first and only signature shoe. Ironically, the model was seldom worn on court by Timmy, but still a sick shoe thanks to its zip-up closure and exposed Monkey Paw.
Dawn Staley
image via Gallery HipWhen: 1999
Shoes: Nike Air Zoom S5, Nike Air S5 II
Buzz for the WNBA was high back in 1999 and the Charlotte Sting had a star on their hands with point guard Dawn Staley. Nike laced the Philly product with the still sleek Nike Air Zoom S5 along with the shoe’s lesser sequel in ’99. This era was a boom for women’s basketball on the sneaker front, as fellow Swoosh stars Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper and Lisa Leslie would also see sigs around that time.
Steve Francis
photo via ESPNWhen: 2000-2002
Shoes: Reebok Wink DMX, Reebok X-Beam
The Reebok Wink DMX was the first signature shoe for Steve Francis. While some young fans only remember Stevie Franchise from his twilight years in the league, he was amazing during his early days with the Rockets. The 2000 NBA Rookie of the Year and a back-to-back-to-back All-Star, the explosive point guard had streetball handles and trampoline hops. While the Wink still registers as a cult classic amongst Franchise fans, the X-Beam was his most notable shoe.
Rafer Alston
photo via Qayyum ZainolWhen: 2002
Shoes: AND1 Skip 2 My Lou
Streetball was red-hot during the early 2000s and as far as NBA fans were concerned, Rafer Alston was the people’s champ. After becoming an NYC legend on the asphalt as a teenager, Rafer played for Tark out on the other coast at Fresno State and even scored himself a SLAM cover. After Y2K, he was starting to gain traction in the L and AND1 mixtapes were selling out of barbershops and Foot Locker stores alike. The AND1 Skip 2 My Lou served as his signature shoe, taking cues from the Tai Chi. Rafer wore the shoe with the Golden State Warriors and on the AND1 Mixtape Tour.
Gilbert Arenas
photo by John W. McDonough via SportigeWhen: 2006-2008
Shoes: adidas Gil Zero, adidas Gil II Zero
Hibachi, Hibachi, Hibachi, Gilbert Arenas was cooking the competition during the mid-2000s. Known for hitting game-winning shots and playing Halo until the wee hours of the morning, The Three Stripes gifted Gilbert Arenas with two signature shoes, the adidas Gil Zero and adidas Gil II Zero. Each model saw collab colorways and catered to his fast game. Gil and adidas parted ways, with Agent O eventually becoming a pioneer of the modern Kicks On Court retro-laden landscape we see today.
