Zack Schlemmer 
Throughout NBA history, we’ve seen a countless number of players with signature sneakers come and go. Even though there have been more signature basketball shoes than anybody can even keep track of, the signature model has still usually been a carefully and strategically selected honor and is typically appointed to players deemed “elite”. That said, not just anybody can get a signature sneaker, and those that do usually reach some considerable success in the NBA.
Considering the number of players in the NBA, the amount of players rewarded with a signature model is relatively sparse. For the most part, it’s one or zero players per team, but it’s interesting to gauge just how successful signature athletes have been when paired with someone on a similar level. We know Jordan/Pippen and Shaq/Kobe have had their fair share of success, but how did other tag-team signature athletes do? Continue reading for a look at the most notable duos (and trios) of signature sneaker athletes on the same team.
2014-15 Cleveland Cavaliers
With the addition of Kyrie Irving to the roster of Nike Basketball signature athletes this year, the Cavs have become one of the rare teams with three signature athletes. Kyrie and LeBron, obviously have their shoes, but don’t forget Kevin Love’s signature shoes with the Chinese brand 361º. This “Big Three” is poised for success and in light of recent roster moves and injuries, the LeBron-led Cavs look destined for another NBA Finals trip.
1995-96 Orlando Magic
The beloved mid-90s Magic teams with the dynamic duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway became a team with two signature players when Penny received the Nike Air Penny 1 to join Shaq with his fifth signature model by the time, the Reebok Shaqnosis. Both players would continue to have signature shoes for the Magic until Shaq left for LA, but when they were together, the Magic were the top competition for the Chicago Bulls. In fact, Shaq and Penny were the only team to hand the Jordan-led Bulls a playoff series loss since 1990.
1998-2002 Los Angeles Lakers
Young Kobe Bryant hooked up with adidas after entering the league in 1996, and by 1998 he had his own signature shoe, the adidas KB8. He joined Shaq, who was wearing the Reebok Shaq Reflection by that time. Both would continue to have signatures until Kobe and adidas parted ways. By the time he signed on with Nike, Shaq was in Miami, and when it was all said and done, the duo won three straight NBA Titles.
1995-96 Seattle Sonics
Of course you’re probably familiar with Shawn Kemp’s Reebok Kamikaze line, but did you know sharp-shooting teammate Hersey Hawkins had a signature model called the Double Clutch with FILA?
1996-1998 Houston Rockets
The aging Rockets teammates Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon were still rocking signature kicks by the late ‘90s. Chuck had his later Nike signatures like the Air CB 4 and Super CB while The Dream was wearing Spalding signature shoes. This earlier “Big Three” would never reach much success in the Playoffs, leaving Barkley ring-less by career’s end.
1997-98 Miami Heat
Two of the more obscure Nike signature basketball shoes just happened to be for players on the same team: the Air Alonzo for Alonzo Mourning and the Zoom T-Bug for Tim Hardaway. Their biggest success together might be the franchise’s worst moment – losing to the #8 seed Knicks in the First Round of the ’99 Playoffs.
1999 Seattle Sonics
In 1999 Gary Payton wore his first signature model with his name/initials actually attached to the shoe, the Nike Zoom GP, while Vin Baker rocked one of the first Jordan Brand signatures ever, the Jordan Jumpman VINdicate. We’ll point out that Kemp and Payton never had their signature shoes overlap in Seattle.
2004 Houston Rockets
Tracy McGrady was flying high in the adidas T-Mac line while Yao Ming was posted down low in the Reebok High Post. This high-powered inside-outside duo never got far in the Playoffs, unfortunately.
2004 Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Garnett parted with Nike, then AND1, and had just begun his adidas signature line with the adidas at the same time Latrell Sprewell was rocking his infamous Dada Spinners.
2007-13 Boston Celtics and 2013-14 Brooklyn Nets
KG helped create another duo of signature athletes on the same team when he signed with the Boston Celtics in 2007 to join Paul Pierce. Garnett began his career with Boston wearing adidas, and eventually signed on with Chinese brand Anta for a signature line. Paul Pierce wore his Nike Air Max Legacy line, ending with the Air Max Legacy 3 which it seems like he’s been wearing for five years now. The duo moved to Brooklyn and continued the same signature shoe story with the Nets until Pierce left for the Wizards this season. The final result? An NBA title in 2008.
2011-2014 Miami Heat
After LeBron James “took his talents to South Beach”, he created another team with two signature athletes after joining Dwyane Wade. LeBron wore his Nike line from the LeBron 8 to 11 with the Heat, while Wade switched from his forgettable Jordan signature series to Li-Ning. Together, LeBron and Wade took four straight trips to the NBA Finals and took home two trophies.
2014-2015 Washington Wizards
Paul Pierce, still in the Nike Air Max Legacy 3, joins up with John Wall in his debut adidas J Wall 1 for one of the latest signature sneaker duos. Pierce is playing incredible ball at his age (without getting in the way of the team’s true stars), while John Wall just earned his first-ever start at an All-Star Game. The future is bright, but Pierce’s clock is ticking.
1997-98 Chicago Bulls
They were one of the greatest teams in NBA history ever, so it’s not too surprising that three of the members managed to get signature sneakers. Michael Jordan had his signature Air Jordan line since 1985, but it wasn’t until 1997 that his partner in crime Scottie Pippen was awarded his first official signature shoe, the Nike Air Pippen. That season Dennis Rodman also got his first signature shoe with Converse, the All Star 91. Matching the caliber of skills of that Bulls team and the three players, this may just be the best assembly of multiple signature shoes on one team ever.
