LIST 'EM: The Best Signature Shoes of #1 Draft Picks

words // Zack Schlemmer

Each June a promising new group of talent enters the NBA with countless possibilities for future sneaker deals and designs. Some #1 Draft Picks have went on to wear a few of the most memorable signature basketball sneakers of all time.

Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson, LeBron James...these are names that have become very important to sneaker history. At the other end of the spectrum, there are the Pervis Ellisons and Michael Olowokandis of #1 Picks that didn't even go down in NBA history, let alone sneaker history. 

You'll have to research what they wore on your own, because today we're taking a look at the best of the best!

1979 #1 Pick Magic Johnson -- Converse Weapon

Although the Weapon does not officially bear his name, the Lakers colorway was officially his signature color.  The Weapon, just like Magic, were both essential to 1980's NBA basketball.

1985 #1 Pick Patrick Ewing -- Ewing Brand FOCUS

There are a slew of great EWING Brand shoes that Patrick wore throughout his career, but the FOCUS is my personal favorite.  They seem to be one of the best designs, both performance-wise and aesthetically, of the brand's offerings.  In Patrick's Knicks home and away colorways, they were also some of the brightest and boldest shoes on the court at their time.

(Black & Purple colorway pics via Flattop Hitop)

1987 #1 Pick David Robinson -- Nike Air Command Force

David Robinson was drafted in 1987 but didn't join the NBA until 1989 when his commitment to the Navy had ended.  It took no time at all for "The Admiral" to start wearing classic Nike FORCE models like the Air Force STS and Air Force III.  David had a few great unofficial signature shoes in his days like the Air Force 180 High and the Air Unlimited, but his best shoe was the Air Command Force. 

With a ridiculously high cut, air pump chamber in the heel, and neon and/or speckled accent colors at the heel Air unit, the Command Force is frequently in the list of collectors' most sought after sneakers.  Adding to their lore is the fact that Billy Hoyle wore them in White Men Can't Jump.

1991 #1 Pick Larry Johnson -- Converse Aero Jam

Grandmama!  The beast from UNLV entered the NBA as a Charlotte Hornet, which luckily gave us awesome 90's teal and purple colorways of all his signature shoes.  First came the Aero Jet, then the Aero Jam, and later the Back Jam.  Did REACT Juice really do anything in the ankle of the shoe?  Who cares, it looked cool!

(Another pic from Flattop Hitop's collection)

1992 #1 Pick Shaquille O'Neal -- Reebok Shaqnosis

It's a close call between the Reebok Shaq Attaq I and the Shaqnosis, but most of us would agree the Shaqnosis is the most memorable Shaq shoe overall.  Reebok was producing bold and iconic designs in the mid 90's, and the Shaqnosis was the boldest of them all.  We're all still crossing our fingers for a comeback.

1993 #1 Pick Chris Webber -- Nike Air Max CW

For the third year in a row the #1 Pick was kind to the sneaker world.  Webber broke into the NBA as the leader of Michigan's Fab Five and soon had a signature shoe with Nike.  The Air Max CW featured heel and forefoot Air Max units and an awesome "CW" basketball and hoop logo, which unfortunately did not return on the retro versions renamed the Air Max Sensation. (Not to mention no original colorways when it returned.  What's up with that?)  Runner-up for the best Webber signature shoe obviously goes to the DaDa CDubbz.

1996 #1 Pick Allen Iverson -- Reebok Question

Perhaps the most obvious choice when considering the best shoe of a #1 draft pick is Allen Iverson's Reebok Question.  The Question is by far AI's most iconic shoe and one of the greatest Reebok shoes of all time. 

1997 #1 Pick Tim Duncan -- Nike Total Air Foamposite Max

Like his Spurs teammate, Duncan's greatest shoe is not a shoe that officially bears his name, but is considered his signature model.  If you're a sneaker head and hear somebody refer to "The Duncans," you know they're talking about the Total Air Foamposite Max.  Ironically for Timmy, the Foamposite Max is his flashiest shoe, the opposite of his "Big Fundamental" style of play.

2003 #1 Pick LeBron James -- Nike Air Zoom Generation

Almost everybody has a different favorite LeBron signature shoe, so we just went with the safe pick of his first.  LeBron started out his $90 million deal with Nike wearing the Zoom Generation in 2003 and it's still one of his most celebrated shoes. Soon we'll have his tenth signature shoe, and we all know it's only a matter of time before the Zoom Generation will return with a retro release.

("First Game" colorway pic via nikelebron.net)