All-Star Style: The Greatest ASW Sneakers of All Time

1985: Air Jordan 1 High 'Chicago'

Michael Jordan’s first All-Star Game, aka the “Freezeout Game,” (coined after Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson and George Gervin plotted to humiliate and haze the rookie star) did not go as planned. While MJ finished with just seven points shooting a rare 2-for-9 from the field, his 'Chicago' AJ1s were the best on-court kicks at the Indianapolis’ Hoosier Dome.

1988: Air Jordan 3 OG 'Black Cement'

MJ returned as a four-time All-Star in the Tinker Hatfield-designed Jordan 3s en route to a 40-point performance in the East’s 138-133 victory. He also received MVP honors in the feat. 

1996: Air Jordan 11 OG 'Columbia'

The ’96 All-Star Game unis are the epitome of the kind of ’90s sports aesthetics that make sneaker OGs nostalgic. In his first All-Star appearance since returning from his 13-month baseball stint, MJ wore these all-white 11s with hints of Carolina Blue that complemented the East’s teal threads. It would be the only time Jordan hooped in the 'Columbia' colorway.

1998: Crazy 8 '1998 All-Star Game'

The following year, the stage was set. Madison Square Garden hosted the NBA’s 48th Annual All-Star Game and every basketball fan recognized the stakes of the mentee vs. mentor pairing of Kobe Bryant vs. Michael Jordan. Despite the East prevailing 135-114, “that little Laker boy”—as Tim Hardaway Sr. dubbed Bryant in The Last Dance—scored a team-high 18 points for the West in one of adidas’ most popular basketball silhouettes of all time.

2001: Reebok Question

Allen Iverson scored 15 of his 25 points in the final nine minutes of the 2001 contest, leading the East to victory in the nation’s capitol. Iverson also earned MVP honors and paired his performance with black and white Reebok Questions.

2003: Air Jordan 3 Retro 'True Blue'

Kobe’s sneaker free agency year saw a myriad of on-court models during the 2003 season. In what would be Michael Jordan’s final All-Star Game, the Black Mamba paid homage to the GOAT by wearing the 2001 'True Blue' AJ3s.

2003: Air Jordan 18 OG 'White Sport Royal'

Jordan, suited up for his 14th and final All-Star Game as a member of the Washington Wizards, wore his white and royal blue AJ18s for his last run with the East. He missed a go-ahead bucket late in the fourth quarter to give his team the lead, but redeemed himself in overtime, hitting a baseline fadeaway jumper over Shawn Marion with 4.8 seconds to go. MJ would finish the contest with 20 points. 

2004: Air Zoom Generation Retro QS 'All-Star - Wheat'

LeBron James made his official All-Star Weekend debut 17 years ago. With a newly inked Nike deal, the kid from Akron laced up these wheat-colored AZGs in his 33-point performance in LA.

2012: Zoom KD 4 'All-Star - Galaxy'

Nike outfitted its trio of signature athletes in Galaxy-themed footwear in 2012. First up was Kevin Durant, a second-straight all-star on his fourth signature shoe, who rocked KD4s featuring a metallic silver synthetic upper with orange accents, a NASA-like tongue patch and a speckled black midsole that sat on top of a glow-in-the-dark sole. Durant also added another accolade to his resume: All-Star MVP.

2012: LeBron 9 'All-Star - Big Bang'

King James’ signature LeBron 9, a fan favorite in the sneaker community, featured an all-orange upper with red accents, a 3M Swoosh and a translucent glow-in-the-dark midsole. Galaxy themes were placed on the shoe lining as well as the heel collar.

2013: Barkley Posite Max 'Area 72'

The Barkley Posite Max ‘Area 72’ was released as part of the 2013 All-Star collection. A hybrid sneaker that celebrates the achievements of the legendary Charles Barkley by incorporating numerous eccentric design elements, the outer space-themed upper is complemented with glow-in-the-dark outsoles and reflective paneling.  

2015: LeBron 12 Low 'LeBronold Palmer' 

LeBron James debuted the LeBron 12 Low 'LeBronold Palmer' at the 2015 All-Star Weekend. Inspired by one of LeBron’s favorite drinks, the Arnold Palmer, the shoe features a pastel lemon upper decorated with palm-tree prints. Teal hits and a bright mango lining complete the tropical theme.

2017: Air Zoom Generation QS 'All Star - Vachetta Tan'

The Air Zoom Generation QS was LeBron James’ first-ever signature shoe. Realized by a design dream team of Tinker Hatfield, Eric Avar and Aaron Cooper, the silhouette was partly inspired by LeBron’s Hummer H2 SUV. Released in 2003, the shoe returned for the 2017 All-Star Weekend in a premium ‘Vachetta Tan’ make-up.

2018: Air Jordan 9 Retro 'City of Flight'

Jordan Brand debuted a 25th-anniversary retro of the Air Jordan 9 named the ‘City of Flight’ to celebrate the 2018 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. Executed in a monochrome color palette, contrasting gold accents adorn the tongue and heel. The LA skyline is featured on the insole as a finishing homage.

2018: A Bathing Ape x Dame 4 'Green Camo'

adidas cranked up the All-Star Weekend 2018 festivities by announcing a collaboration with BAPE. Using Damian Lillard’s Dame 4 as a canvas to experiment, familiar motifs from the Japanese brand such as the 1ST CAMO Ape Head print and shark-tooth details adorn the upper and midsole. A “WGM” (World Gone Mad) collegiate-style stamp decorates the heel, adding an element of streetwear familiarity to the performance shoe. The tie-up also saw a red ‘Friends & Family’ shoe release separately. 

2020: Air Jordan 3 Retro SE 'Unite'

Jordan Brand marked the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago with the Air Jordan 3 Retro SE ‘Unite.’ In 1988, Michael Jordan wore the AJ3 when he won that year’s Slam Dunk Contest in the host city, with the Chicago Bulls-aligned colorway checking out accordingly. The tumbled leather upper is dressed in fiery red, contrasted by cement-print overlays and a white midsole. 

2020: LeBron 17 Low 'Tune Squad'

The LeBron 17 Low ‘Tune Squad’ was released in 2020 as one half of an exclusive ‘Space Jam’ pack alongside the Nike LeBron 17 ‘Monstars.’ The irreverent design includes numerous easter eggs pertaining to the movie, the most eye-catching being chenille grey Swooshes and “What’s Up Doc?” embroidery on the inner tongue as a nod to Bugs Bunny. Aesthetic details aside, this is a shoe built to perform, incorporating flagship technologies such as Air Max, React foam and Flywire cables.  

2022: PUMA MB.01 ‘Rick and Morty’

Adult Swim cartoon Rick and Morty has been a source of inspiration for various sneaker customizations since its inception. At All-Star Weekend 2022, PUMA went a step further for LaMelo Ball, providing the point guard with a dedicated sneaker as an homage to his favorite show. The mismatched design pairs a neon green silhouette inspired by Rick’s gun with a bright pink counterpart, with each boasting Rick and Morty graphics near the eyelets. LaMelo donned the shoes in the tournament’s Rising Stars match, before switching them for a purple iteration at All-Star practice.

All Star Weekend Sneaker FAQs

Related articles: Guide to Air Jordans, Guide to Nikes, Best Basketball Shoes in 2023, History of Kobe Shoes