Kicks of NBA Finals Past
June 19th - Posted By Teddy 'Roo
The 2012 NBA Finals have presented a dream NBA match-up between the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder, and we’re not just talking about the kicks. No matter what happens in this year’s finals though, historic NBA moments will be made and you can be sure Foot Locker and sneaker connoisseurs around the world will take note of the sneakers that those moments are made in. As a matter of fact, we’ve been tracking this kind of thing for years. Take a look below for the kicks that some NBA legends sported while they were on biggest stage in basketball.
Magic Johnson
Game 6, 1980 NBA Finals vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Converse Pro Leather 1976
Starting at center in place of the injured Kareem Abdul Jabar, Magic Johnson put on what some consider to be the greatest performance in NBA Finals history. Johnson, in his rookie season at 20 years old, put up 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists to clinch his first NBA Championship on the road in Philadelphia. Magic, a 6’9″ point guard, played all five positions in the final game of the series and he did it all in the Converse Pro Leather 1976.
Michael Jordan
Game 5, 1997 NBA Finals vs. Utah Jazz
Air Jordan XII
In what would become one of the most famous games of Michael Jordan’s career, MJ dropped 38 points with seven rebounds and five assists in Game 5 on the road in Utah to put the Bulls up 3-2 in the series – all while battling flu-like symptoms. Though he was visibly ill during the game, Jordan had monster second and fourth quarters to keep the Bulls in the game and eventually secure the win. He famously collapsed into Scottie Pippens arms with seconds left in the fourth and the game wrapped up in the Bulls favor. The black and red Air Jordan XIIs that Jordan wore during that game are now known as the Retro XII “Flu Game.”
Walt Frazier
Game 7, 1970 NBA Finals vs. LA Lakers
Puma Clyde
Though the most famous moment of the game was Willis Reed emerging from the Madison Square Garden tunnel after suffering a leg injury in Game 6, the story of the game was the Knicks dominance led by Walt Frazier’s 36 points, 19 assists, and seven rebounds. Clyde scored 22 first half points en route to a 113-99 route of the Lakers to secure New York’s first and only NBA Championship in franchise history and the Lakers third consecutive Finals loss. The Puma Clyde was sported on court by Frazier during his career and recently made a comeback in a partnership between Puma and UNDFTD.
Jerry West
Game 7, 1969 NBA Finals vs. Boston Celtics
Converse Chuck Taylor Low
Still suffering the effects of a hamstring pull in Game 5, Jerry West put up a triple double of 42 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists at home in a losing effort to the Boston Celtics. Jerry West was awarded the Finals MVP trophy in the first year of the award’s existence. He is still the only player from a losing team to win the Finals MVP award. Nonetheless, his average of 38 points over the seven games was worthy of the honor. West played in low top Chuck Taylors.
Michael Jordan
Game 1, 1992 NBA Finals vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Air Jordan VII
The 1992 NBA Finals were a much anticipated showdown between Clyde Drexler and Michael Jordan for control of the NBA in the early 90s. Jordan began the finals in the best way possible scoring 35 points, a record for first half points in the playoffs, including six three pointers in the first half. After his sixth three, MJ faced the broadcast table and shrugged, an image of him that will forever be among the greatest taken of him. Jordan finished with 39 points en route to his first of six NBA Championships and firm control of decade. Jordan played in the Air Jordan VII which are now known at the Retro VII Raptors.
Allen Iverson
Game 1, 2001 NBA Finals vs. LA Lakers
Reebok Answer 4
The Lakers entered the Finals undefeated in the Playoffs having swept through the first three rounds. The went up big on Iverson and the Sixers in the first quarter but Iverson got hot and ended the first half with 30 points. After the Sixers blew a large third quarter lead, the game went to overtime where the Lakers got off to a quick lead. Iverson, however, scored seven overtime points, including a three over Tyronn Lue that would put Philadelphia up for good and give them the Game 1 win. Unfortunately for Iverson, this was Philly’s only win of the 2001 Finals as the Lakers took the next four and won the title with only one Playoff loss. Iverson’s performance was done in his signature Reebok Answer 4.
James Worthy
Game 7, 1988 NBA Finals vs. Detroit Pistons
New Balance P790 Worthy
James Worthy picked a good time to post the only triple double of his career. Cementing his knickname, “Big Game James,” Worthy put up 36 points, 16 rebounds, and ten assists in the Lakers Game 7 win against the Pistons. Worthy would also take the Finals MVP award in his New Balance P790 Worthy.