words & images // Zack Schlemmer
It's another Friday which means it's time for another look to sneaker past with sightings on your old trading cards. Kicks on Cards brings us some real hitters this week, starting out with Nick Anderson's Air Jordan X PE. Nick's Player Exclusive is basically just the "Orlando" AJ10 colorway, but with his #25 embroidered on the sides. It's one of the rarest versions of the X, as it never hit retail. Anybody out there have a pair?
B.J. Armstrong is seen next wearing the Nike Air Max 2 Strong High. This shoe was the second version of the classic but often overlooked Air Max Strong, updated with an "Anti-Inversion" ankle collar, velcro straps for adjustment at the heel, and Air Max 2 cushioning. A mid version was also available without the ankle collar and straps. The 2 Strong High was worn most notably by David Robinson and other big men (Gheorghe Muresan!), but lil' point guard B.J. Armstrong laced up the high tops also.
Our third card brings us one of the best NBA names ever, Olden Polynice, in the Reebok Pump Vertical. The Vertical seems to be the early stages of the bold design we'd see from Reebok basketball footwear in later years with shoes like the Kamikaze and Shaqnosis. It starts the trend of "thick" design and unique color blocking. The Vertical was worn by the likes of Shawn Kemp and Dennis Rodman, along with good ol' Olden seen here.
Next is a shoe that needs no introduction and is no stranger to the Kicks on Cards library: the Nike Air Flight Huarache, worn here by Stacey Augmon. "Plasticman" sports one of the lesser seen colorways that has never made a retro return. Obscure NBA player nerds will rejoice with our last card this week featuring T.R. Dunn in another Kicks on Cards standard, the Nike Air Force STS, complete with cool striped socks.
Nick Anderson -- Air Jordan X PE
B.J. Armstrong -- Nike Air Max 2 Strong
Olden Polynice -- Reebok Pump Vertical
Stacey Augmon -- Nike Air Flight Huarache
T.R. Dunn -- Nike Air Force STS
