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NBA All-Star Weekend brings out the best basketball has to offer. As the league’s top talent converges on Charlotte, North Carolina this year, new stars will emerge and current heroes will further cement their legacies once the final horn goes off on Sunday night. The players and action on the court are supposed to capture most of the attention, but fans focus on what’s on the players’ feet as much. Sneaker companies use the three-day extravaganza as a time break out new designs, elaborate color schemes, and revive interest in select retros.
With this year’s events officially underway, we compiled a market search for sneakers released during All-Star Weekends from years past that available online right now. The prices fluctuate since everything included comes from the secondary market. There are a few steals and solid deals along with pairs that won’t come cheap, since the available supply goes down each passing day. Check out the list below:
Reebok Omni Pump Lite
Price: $95
Where: Goat
There's no way we’re going to talk about All-Star sneakers and not mention Dee Brown—the man responsible for one of the most iconic moments in Dunk Contest history. His pump up before takeoff put Reebok on the basketball map. The current prices aren’t inflated, so they’re affordable nostalgia.
Adidas Crazy 8
Price: $125
Where: Goat
Kobe Bryant’s tenure with Adidas is filled with models best forgotten. The only design that put up a good fight against the test of time is the Crazy 8. The Feet You Wear tech was a good concept then and still is now.
Reebok Question Mid "All-Star"
Price: $180
Where: Goat
Most All-Star Weekend shoes come with on-court stories attached. This yellow and blue Question Mid matters more for what happened behind the scenes in the locker room. Sixers-great Allen Iverson refused to wear the Warriors-themed shoes, meant as a homage to 2000’s host city of Oakland, in his first All-Star appearance after his peers roasted him over the bright the color combo. Decades later, he admitted he “probably cost Reebok a lot of money that day.” Thankfully, the shoes released to more color-friendly times in 2016 and still go for close to retail.
Air Jodan VIII "Aqua"
Price: $210
Where: StockX
Many Jordan enthusiasts will be chasing the latest retro of the Air Jordan VI “Infrared” this weekend. However, the Jordan VIII “Aqua” makes a good consolation prize for anyone who strikes out and finds themselves left with two bills burning a hole in their pockets. MJ dropped 30 points while wearing these on the court for the first and only time during the ‘93 All-Star game. His East squad lost the battle that day to a West team led by Utah Jazz John Stockton and Karl Malone. But everyone knows who eventually won the war.
Air Jordan III "True Blue"
Price: $250
Where: Goat
As an 18-time All-Star, Kobe Bryant owns a long list of shoes from which to choose. Oddly enough, one of the best pairs he wore during the game isn’t one of his own signature models but that of Michael Jordan. The longtime Laker wore the Air Jordan III “True Blue” as a tribute to the man himself for Jordan’s final All-Star appearance in ’03.
Undefeated x Nike Zoom Kobe 1
Price: $325
Where: Goat
Kobe Bryant’s presence loomed large over 2018’s festivities even though he retired two years prior. That’s because Nike teamed with streetwear kings Undefeated to roll out multiple colorways for the Mamba’s updated signature model. The player exclusive versions—seen in orange, red, and mixed shades of green camo prints—turn the most heads. But, the standard woodland pair does the job best for all non-All-Star weekends.
Nike Zoom Kobe 6 "Orange County"
Price: $335
Where: Goat
There’s no bad choice between the four Kobe 6 colorways Nike released for All-Star pack in 2011. The most aesthetically pleasing of the quartet would be “Orange County” pair. Also referred to as the “Sunsets,” the orange and blue hues capture the beauty of the Southern California sky. This ZK6 colorway hasn’t been replicated and that uniqueness makes them that much greater.
Nike Zoom KD IV "Galaxy"
Price: $385
Where: Goat
Nike’s “Galaxy” collection of 2012 ranks as the best group of All-Star releases period. The whole NASA-themed nod to host city Orlando stretches the imagination but it doesn’t take away from the fact the color executions on the different signature models and retros is fire. The hype went to the Foamposites but the sleek look of the KD 4 model in metallic silver paired with the glow in the dark outsoles earns the trophy for best in show.
Adidas Yeezy Boost 750 "Light Bone"
Price: $1,275
Where: Goat
While we’re still waiting for the first official Yeezy for hoops, people forget Kanye West’s inaugural Adidas offering released during All-Star Weekend in 2015. No player wanted to risk rolling an ankle in them but Shabazz Muhammad tops the list for best shoes worn by a passer in the Dunk Contest.
Nike Air Foamposite Lite "KyrptoNate"
Price: $1,475
Where: StockX
Showmanship dominates All-Star Saturday night and Nate Robinson delivered that in the “KryptoNates.” The tiny guard with big hops bounced over Dwight Howard wearing these customized electric green Foams, which released in super limited numbers. Though not the cheapest on this list, they’ll stand out to anyone who remembers Nate Rob’s Lex Luthor-inspired takedown of Howard’s Superman.