Sneaker News The NBA’s Dunk Contest was once the preeminent platform for sneaker brands to steal the spotlight and truly shine. Michael Jordan put his Air Jordans on the map through his performances in the mid-late 1980s, while Dee Brown pumped up Reebok’s sales with his infamous pre-dunk routine in 1991. Special notice goes to Vince Carter who put on arguably the best performance ever 2000 wearing one of the biggest cult-smash basketball shoes in history.
The AND1 Tai Chi‘s time in the limelight was entirely by chance; just months prior, Vince negged his deal with PUMA before eventually signing with Nike to become the face of the Shox franchise. During that period of shoe purgatory, Vince rocked the Tai Chi from the upstart AND1 brand, a label that grew from indie movement to perhaps the most popular basketball imprint at the time. You can read the full story about Vince’s movements in the shoe industry here.
The Tai Chi’s Vince Carter era may have been short-lived, but it’s unquestionably one of the most significant basketball shoes in history. Remembered for its bold two-toned color-blocking, the Tai Chi was worn by the likes of Stephon Marbury, Kevin Garnett, Jason Williams, and more compelling hoopers of the late 1990s/early 2000s.
Pairs are available right now directly from AND1 for $130.
