After a decade-long hiatus, New Balance's relaunch of its new well-received OMN1S model couldn't have gotten a better on-court co-sign. Leonard wore it for one of the more impressive Finals MVP runs in league history. The sporting globe loves a great underdog story, and the unexpected ascension of AND 1 and the Tai Chi is a sneaker yarn for the ages. The most memorable sneaker of Barkley's career played up his loud personality and willingness to say what's on his mind at all times. The harness design looked to support his explosive frame on the court, but it also spoke to his infamously brash antics of the era. Robinson might have been the NBA headliner for the high-top, bulky sneaker, but the Command Force was best known as Billy Hoyle's shoe of choice in the classic movie "White Men Can't Jump."

Scipio and creative director Kevin Garnett, a former basketball star, both joined the And1 team in 2018. While the brand is hoping to capitalize on the current trend of ’90s-inspired footwear, both Scipio and Garnett are thinking beyond the ’90s craze as the label is celebrating its 25th anniversary. We wanted to make something really unique to match the characteristics of Shawn Kemp's game," Morris said.We signed Stephon Marbury, who was a rookie, and it was his first shoe. It weighs a ton, it’s got this big Player logo stitched onto the side, and it’s all leather and super puffy. The logo was probably like a 500 stitch count, but we thought it was the greatest thing ever. They’re pretty hardy for a canvas slip on and we’d expect them to take a reasonable beating before they need replacing. The cotton lining is reasonably comfortable, and it absorbs any sweat you might have nicely but we’d recommend putting talc inside when they’re not in use to keep them smelling fresh and clean. For the money, they’re good value. Inspired by Jordan's Ferrari 550 Maranello, the XIV represented the way MJ could maneuver, accelerate and brake in an instant. Jordan also happened to be wearing it for his series-clinching jumper in the 1998 Finals. While certainly not official endorsers, Michigan's "Fab 5" helped put the Huarache on the map in 1992. An adapted hoops version of Tinker Hatfield's classic Air Huarache running shoe, the neoprene basketball model was actually Avar's first design with the company.

With ever-so-slight cues from the brand's iconic Superstar sneaker, Tracy McGrady's modern shell-toe look for a new millennium became one of Adidas' best-selling basketball shoes ever. The most expensive recommendation on our list, however, are the PEAK TAICHI King Women’s Adaptive Smart Cushioning Running Shoes and it’s fair to say that they’re the kind of shoes that you would probably buy if you were doing a lot of Tai Chi or a lot of other sport alongside Tai Chi rather than for a few minutes in the park each week. Featuring a laser-etched strap adorned with more than 200 graphic icons, Michael Jordan's life story was celebrated along the daringly modern sneaker.

21. Fila Grant Hill 2

And1’s roots lie in street culture, and the brand’s DNA lies in the street ball, music and graffiti movements of the ’90s.

What is great about these DOUBLESTAR shoes (excuse the all CAPS many of the Chinese Tai Chi show training brands really like branding that shouts) is that they’ve got a classic trainer look whilst still being thin soled enough to do some serious Tai Chi in. You’d happily wear these as a casual shoe all day long. Worn during the final season of his first stint in Cleveland, James' seventh model marked a new era for his line. Newly appointed designer Jason Petrie poured nearly every Nike technology into it. Boasting a new full-length Air Max unit and Flywire support, the patent leather panel rounded out what is considered James' best-looking shoe. Inspired by the "nose art" seen on fighter planes, the Air Jordan 5's graphic midsole design invoked Jordan's aerial acrobatics on the floor, while the 3M reflective tongue and clear rubber outsole made it a crossover hit off the floor.Not to forget that AND1 competed against Nike in the 90s. Tom Austin, former Co-Founder and Design-Lead of AND1 had high hopes for selling his design. With reward. Being up there with Nike and selling shoes like crazy was completely revolutionary – especially for a streetball brand. They are at a mid-tier price point and that was reflected in both the choice of materials used and in the quality of the workmanship involved on the shoe. The tread on the soles is clearly designed with martial arts use in mind too. However, you probably shouldn’t because those thin soles would wear away much faster than ordinary trainers. But if you’re looking for something fashionable to wear while you work through the forms and you don’t want to spend a fortune on Tai Chi shoes then these may be the best bet for you. They’re also good for Parkour if you want to try something more rigorous when you’re done. Worn during Curry's breakout 2014-15 MVP season, the Curry 1 helped take Under Armour to new heights in just his second season with the company. UA's basketball shoe sales rose 754% during the spring quarter, just as Curry's Warriors were headed toward their first championship. While Vinsanity’s performance at the dunk contest crashed the media, AND1 reached their height of popularity around the globe. Everyone knew what was going down when streetballers like “Skip to my Lou”, “Hot Sauce” or “The Professor” showed up on the court, releasing their famous mixtapes (watch here: AND 1 MIXTAPE VOL.3) and touring different cities within the AND1 MIXTAPE TOUR.

The AND1 performs very well. They are comfortable and well-made with an EVA mid-sole which cushions the feet from any impact damage. The Yin-Yang design is particularly appropriate for Tai Chi.

With an atom-graphic design on the bottom and a radiant, gradient-fading mesh upper, the Garnett 3 was all about highlighting the youthful power forward's expressive game on the court. Marty McFly's "power lacing" Nike MAG sneakers first floated the idea of a smart shoe in 1989, and exactly three decades later, the Adapt BB blended art and science to bring self-lacing tech to the NBA hardwood. The league has long fueled the footwear industry throughout its history, with iconic on-court moments giving life to off-court trends, all while providing fans with a tangible connection to their favorite stars. The Air Force 1 has long been celebrated for its never-ending colorways and designs. Whether a detailed artist collaboration, simple two-color edition or the perennial favorite all white, the Air Force 1 has been adopted by all genres and all eras since its 1982 introduction.