Best 2000s Basketball Shoes Buying Guide
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Introduction
The 2000s don’t get the same hype as the ‘90s for basketball shoes but there were some awesome releases. It was a transition period from the legends of the 80s and 90s to a new era of NBA superstars. Michael Jordan retired for the final time in 2003, LeBron James was drafted right afterward, and Kobe Bryant hit his peak from 2006 thru 2009. The 2000s basketball shoes are not as rich in history as other decades but there are five memorable releases you can buy today.
Top 5 2000s Basketball Shoes
Vince Carter Shoe - AND 1 Basketball Shoe 2000s - Tai Chi 2000s
This is an iconic basketball shoe that has stood the test of time. AND1 is one of the most famous old school basketball brands and has recently had a resurgence. They launched the brand in 1993 with marketing campaigns and slogans based on street-ball moves and trash talk. Their first NBA endorser was Stephon Marbury but they soon added Kevin Garnett, Jamal Crawford, and other young NBA stars. The most famous current NBA player wearing AND1 is Fred VanVleet from the Raptors.
By the far the most famous moment for AND1 occurred when Vince Carter wore these exact AND1 Tai Chi shoes in the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. It was arguably the best Slam Dunk performance in NBA history. It was recently re-released by AND1 and is available in multiple colors.
What We Love About It:
- AND1 is a legendary old school 2000s basketball shoe
- Vince Carter and other famous NBA players endorsed it
Vince Carter Shoe - Nike Basketball Shoes 2000s - Shox BB4
This is another shoe that became legendary due to a Vince Carter dunk. This time it’s the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, when he literally jumped over his 7-foot defender. It’s one of the most famous dunks ever and was an incredible way to kick off Carter signing with Nike.
The Nike Shox BB4 was re-released in 2018 and Vince wore them during the 2018/19 season. There’s still good inventory available but it won’t last much longer. If you want to get your hands on this famous Nike shoe don’t wait. It likely won’t be released again any time soon.
>>> Huge VC fan? Check out our Ultimate Vince Carter Guide - Shoes, Jerseys, Memorabilia & More. >>>
What We Love About It:
- Nike Shox is a famous shoe line
- Worn during the best dunk of all-time
Allen Iverson Shoe - Reebok Basketball Shoes 2000s - Answer V
The Allen Iverson Reebok line of basketball shoes became popular during the 90s and early 2000s. The Answer V is of the most popular and stylish editions from Iverson’s signature line. It was first released in 2001 after Iverson’s MVP season with the 76ers. It’s a lightweight shoe made for players like Iverson with lightning fast moves on the court.
Iverson wore the Answer V during the 2002 NBA All star game in front of his hometown fans in Philadelphia. His red and white colorway honored the 76ers as he performed in front of Philly legend Dr. J. Recently Reebok brought the Answer V back in Fall of 2019 and you can still find a very good selection, inventory, colors, and prices.
>>> For more reviews check out our buyer's guide for Allen Iverson Basketball Shoes.
What We Love About It:
- A classic Iverson shoe from Reebok
- The design is timeless and still looks awesome
Tracey McGrady Shoe - Adidas Basketball Shoes 2000s - TMAC Millenium
Tracey McGrady was an incredible talent that played for the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets during the 2000s. He was drafted straight out of high school by the Raptors in the 1997 draft and was teammates with Vince Carter. His line of Adidas basketball shoes were a major part of Adidas’ rise in the basketball shoe market. The TMAC Millennium was one of the best from his signature line and was brought back by Adidas in 2019. A list of 2000s basketball shoes is not complete without McGrady. Tons of sizes and colors available.
What We Love About It:
- McGrady was one of the biggest stars during the 2000s
- Very cool shoe and one of the best released by Adidas
Kobe Bryant Shoe - Nike Basketball Shoes 2000s - Hyperdunk 08
In 2008 Kobe Bryant made the Hyperdunk famous in the Nike commercial you can watch below. It was one of the rare times Kobe promoted a Nike basketball shoe outside his signature line. He wore them during the 2008 Olympics on the “Redeem Team” where he led Team USA to the gold medal. Nike brought these shoes back recently and hopefully there will be more Kobe retro releases in the coming years.
What We Love About It:
- Kobe won a gold media playing in them
- The Hyperdunk is still a great looking basketball shoe
After buying your favorite 2000s basketball shoe, check out the famous Nike Hyperdunk commercial with Kobe Bryant. It’s been viewed millions of times on YouTube and everyone remembers it. Did he actually jump over a speeding Aston Martin? Decide for yourself…
Remember, all of the 2000s basketball shoes we’ve listed have been recently released and are affordable for everyone. While the collector’s market for these shoes is very active, the prices are out of reach for the average buyer and are often over $400.
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