Best Sneaker Moments from Every NBA All-Star Game Since 1988
Over the years, the NBA All-Star Game has been the stage for some of the most talked-about sneakers in basketball. New releases, unexpected colorways, and rare retros all get a moment in the spotlight. This is a rundown of the standout shoes worn in each All-Star Game since 1988.
1988 – Air Jordan III “Black/Cement”
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Jordan’s 40-piece in Chicago was unforgettable, but the black-and-cement IIIs arguably left a deeper cultural dent. It had a visible Air unit and the debut of the Jumpman logo, so this was a warning shot to the entire footwear industry.
1989 – Air Jordan IV “Black/Cement”
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MJ lost the game, but his sneakers stayed winning. The Air Jordan IV matched the aggression of his game, especially the black and red pair that seamlessly aligned with the East’s uniforms. While Malone grabbed the MVP, Jordan’s footwear aged far better in sneaker culture.
1990 – Air Jordan V “Black/Metallic”
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The silver-tongued Jordan V was a highlight in Miami with its reflective style and nubuck uppers. Jordan’s modest 17-point night wasn’t headline-worthy, but his choice of sneakers instantly resonated with fans, and it still stokes demand for retros that replicate the original “Nike Air” branding.
1991 – Air Jordan VI “Black/Infrared”
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Ten turnovers didn’t dull the impact of this one. Jordan’s VIs in “Infrared” were as bold as the name suggests and hinted at the postseason greatness just around the corner. The slick lines and lacelock design gave them futuristic vibes.
1992 – Air Jordan VII “Bordeaux”
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You could miss MJ’s stat line and still remember his feet. The “Bordeaux” VIIs ditched clear Air bubbles for a bootie-style interior and leaned into a Huarache-meets-African-pattern aesthetic. It was an art-school take on performance design, and nearly a decade before retros became cool.
1993 – Air Jordan VIII “Aqua”
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In a game flooded with highlights, the “Aqua” VIII stood apart. Unlike the clean-cut “Bugs Bunny” or “Playoff” versions, this pair brought bright purple and aqua accents that were unmistakably loud. It was one of Jordan’s last true All-Star showcases before his first retirement.
1994 – Nike Air Maestro Flight
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Scottie Pippen finally had the spotlight to himself, and he used it well. In all-red Nike Maestros, he dropped 29 points and claimed MVP. Their minimal branding and smooth build gave them staying power, even overshadowing James Robinson’s Dunk Contest use of the same silhouette.
1995 – Reebok Kamikaze 1
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Shawn Kemp debuted the Reebok Kamikaze 1 in the 1995 All-Star Game. It was a black and white high-top colorway made just for him. That exact version was never released in stores, so it added mystique among sneaker fans. Kemp’s aggressive play and exclusive kicks helped cement the Kamikaze 1’s reputation as a 1990s classic—even if most people only ever saw it on TV.
1996 – Air Jordan XI “Columbia”
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The pristine white “Columbias” looked sleek but were built tough. Jordan’s return season culminated in a 20-point MVP performance, but fans remember the icy soles and patent leather. That icy outsole may have yellowed over time, but their reputation never faded.
1997 – Air Jordan XII “Playoff”
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Though associated with his playoff dominance, the XII’s All-Star debut came earlier than many remember. Jordan posted the first triple-double in All-Star history, wearing the sleek black-and-white “Playoff” colorway. Glen Rice won MVP, but nobody remembers what was on his feet.
1998 – adidas KB8
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A 19-year-old Kobe Bryant faced off with Michael Jordan on the world’s biggest basketball stage. The KB8 leaned on Feet You Wear tech, but what really stood out was the attitude. Taking on MJ in your own design is how legends start—or at least how their sneaker lines do.
1999 – All-Star Game Not Held
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The lockout stole the game, and with it, the stage for any All-Star sneaker magic. In hindsight, this missing year only made the return in 2000 feel bigger. The sneaker world held its breath.
2000 – AND 1 Tai Chi Mid
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Although more remembered for the dunk contest, Vince Carter wore a variation of the white and red Tai Chi Mids in the actual game, too. The shoe became synonymous with his amazing athleticism and breathed life into AND 1’s fleeting moment of mainstream sneaker relevance.
2001 – Nike Air Force 1 High “Rasheed Wallace”
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Sheed’s All-Star stat line was forgettable, but his patent leather Forces weren’t. They were red, shiny, and unbothered by trends. The custom embroidery and dangling straps were more lifestyle than performance.
2002 – Dada CDubbz
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Webber’s silver-shiny CDubbz looked like they came from a moon base, not a locker room. Love them or hate them, they demanded attention. Dada pushed things way left of center, and for one All-Star night, everyone had to look at them.
2003 – Air Jordan III “True Blue”
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Kobe paid homage to MJ’s final All-Star Game by wearing a retro Jordan III instead of pushing his own brand. The gesture was thoughtful, and the “True Blue” colorway fit the moment.
2004 – adidas T-Mac III
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Tracy McGrady’s sneaker flex came from two pairs. He rocked mismatched colorways of his T-Mac IIIs in anticipation of a trend that would later take over social media. The move matched his tendency for the dramatic and gave sneakerheads something new to argue about.
2005 – Nike Zoom LeBron II
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LeBron’s All-Star debut came with a powerful silhouette: The Zoom LeBron II. These shoes had a strappy, armored build that felt ready for war. Paired with silver-and-blue colors, it mirrored the serious energy he brought.
2006 – Nike Air Force 1 High “Rasheed Wallace”
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Sheed returned with another AF1, but this time with textures worthy of the Texas setting. The ostrich paneling and red-white-blue palette were a tribute to Houston while proving that a 1982 sneaker still had legs.
2007 – Nike Zoom LeBron IV
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Some sneakers are rare. And this one never hit retail. LeBron’s Foamposite Zoom IVs featured graffiti-style graphics and navy hues, which made them instant collector bait. The shoe’s futuristic build clashed wonderfully with the West’s throwback jerseys.
2008 – Air Jordan XX3 “West” PE
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With rumors swirling that the XX3 might end the Jordan line, the sneaker came fully loaded with symbolism: MJ’s fingerprint on the outsole, his DNA stitched along the side. Carmelo Anthony’s white-and-burgundy PE stood out most, even without a win.
2009 – Nike Zoom Kobe IV
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Low-tops for basketball can be risky unless you’re Kobe. The lightweight Zoom Kobe IV was inspired by soccer cleats, and its success changed basketball footwear trends. He scored big, won MVP, and proved that height wasn’t everything.
2010 – Nike Air Max LeBron VII
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There were over 108,000 fans watching in Dallas when LeBron went full theater. His “Chlorine Blue” VII wasn’t shy either, thanks to glossy Max Air units and oversized logos. Even though he didn’t steal the show, his sneakers kept up.
2011 – Nike Zoom KD III
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At under $90, the KD III was priced for the people but didn’t skimp on performance. Durant’s red Flywire-laced pair helped him net 23 points and proved that budget sneakers could still headline on the NBA’s biggest stage.
2012 – Nike KD IV “Galaxy”
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Durant’s 36-point MVP performance was nearly overshadowed by his sneakers. The “Galaxy” KD IV, part of Nike’s space-themed pack, glowed in the dark and featured metallic uppers that looked otherworldly. It remains one of the most collectible All-Star shoes ever released.
2013 – Air Jordan XX8
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Zip-up shrouds made the XX8 feel like a science experiment. Westbrook leaned all the way in with mismatched pairs—one red, one blue—like a cartoon villain deciding which plan to execute. The shoe was loud, bizarre, and unapologetically him. People still debate whether it was genius or just weird.
2014 – Nike LeBron 11 “Gumbo League”
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New Orleans got its sneaker tribute in Foamposite. The “Gumbo League” LeBron 11 fused glow-in-the-dark panels, wild patterns, and a name that sounded like a local rec league. It was fun and chaotic.
2015 – Nike Kyrie 1
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Kyrie’s debut signature sneaker kept it simple but not boring. The crisp gray upper and icy outsole announced its presence without yelling. The silhouette laid the groundwork for what would become one of Nike’s strongest basketball lines.
2016 – Air Jordan XXX “Cosmos”
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Russell Westbrook’s pair looked like they’d been dipped in nebula dust. The space-printed Jordan XXX wasn’t shy about its cosmic ambitions, and neither was Russ, who snagged his second straight MVP.
2017 – Trophy Room x Air Jordan XVI
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Due to a venue change, most players lacked time for elaborate designs. Instead, they leaned on Black History Month colorways. But John Wall’s custom Trophy Room x Jordan XVI stood apart. The tribute to Marcus Jordan’s store was distinctive.
2018 – Kith x Nike LeBron 15
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Kith brought the embroidery gun to a basketball game. LeBron’s blacked-out pair looked more suited for a high-fashion runway than the hardwood. Floral stitching and luxe detailing blurred the lines between court shoes and an art project. Somehow, it all held together and nearly earned him a triple-double.
2019 – Nike LeBron 16 “Watch the Throne”
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Finally released after years of whispers, this pair paid tribute to the mythical LeBron 9 PE linked to Kanye and Jay-Z’s album. The shoe had gold-accented laces, a regal feel, and more presence than LeBron’s actual stat line.
2020 – Nike LeBron 17 “Mr. Swackhammer”
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Considering the world was still blissfully unaware of what was to come, LeBron’s Space Jam nod was fitting. The Swackhammer theme brought Looney Tunes energy to a game focused on honoring Kobe.
2021 – Nike Zoom Kobe 6 Protro “All-Star”
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Julius Randle’s low-profile appearance included a meaningful footwear choice: a red-and-black pair of Kobe 6 Protros. It was a reissue of Kobe’s original All-Star MVP sneaker and paid tribute to a legend in a game still shaped by his shadow.
2022 – Nike LeBron 9 Low “Reverse LeBronald Palmer”
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Back in Cleveland, LeBron brought tropical style to snowy Ohio. This unreleased remix of a Miami-era favorite came decked out. The Reverse LeBronald Palmer featured a bold blue upper and citrus tones, which stood out even amid Stephen Curry’s record-breaking barrage.
2023 – Jordan Tatum 1 “Pink Lemonade”
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Jayson Tatum lit up the scoreboard and his signature line with a 55-point performance while debuting the “Pink Lemonade” Jordan Tatum 1. Inspired by his favorite drink, the pastel sneaker marked a strong start for the Jordan Brand’s newest headliner.
2024 – Nike LeBron 21 “DT Max ’96”
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LeBron’s homage to Deion Sanders came via a surprise twist on the LeBron 21. Dressed in DT Max ’96 styling, the sneaker bridged two athletic legends and revived Nike’s “LeBron Watch” approach with a deep archive pull. It also reminded people how much sneaker history LeBron now carries with him.
2025 – Nike Zoom Kobe 5 “Year of the Mamba”
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Jalen Brunson wore them for only eight minutes, but the all-black Kobe 5 “Year of the Mamba” left an impression. Its understated design and timing close to Vanessa Bryant’s reveal helped it become a rare highlight in a disjointed game.