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Hard to believe it has been almost 20 years since the debut issue of SLAM—the magazine that changed the game and inspired the editorial style and writing of so many other sports and lifestyle publications. Besides writing up basketball in a manner that felt like you were talking to your boys, it always had some of the best images and covers year after year. Some of the greatest shoes of all time have graced the cover, from classic Jordans to '90s signature Reeboks. Hit the jump to check out The 25 Best Sneakers to Appear on SLAM Covers and let us know your favorite. Be sure to also check out the Slam Archives to see which kicks didn't make the cut.
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Allen Iverson - Reebok Answer IX
25. Reebok Answer IX — Allen Iverson
Issue: #96, April 2006
AI's sneakers peaked early on, but the IXs were kind of slept-on. The design was on point and the stable and lightweight kicks were good enough for the fastest PG in the league and even held C. Webb down when he made the move to Philly.
Dwyane Wade - Converse Wade I
24. Converse Wade I — Dwayne Wade
Issue: #101, September 2006
Converse hasn't really been known for its signature sneakers in the past decade but D. Wade's first shoe was legit. Hard to believe Wade's on his third brand now. At least he's got the rings to match.
John Starks - adidas Intruder
23. adidas Intruder — John Starks
Issue: #4, May 1995
This cover captures Starks' raw energy perfectly and his non-signature Three Stripe soldiers get just as much shine. Too bad about the '94 Finals.
Jerry Stackhouse - FILA Stackhouse
22. FILA Stackhouse — Jerry Stackhouse
Issue: #11, May 1996
Jerry Stackhouse was a major dude at college, so major FILA fitted him from the jump and before AI took over the City of Brotherly Love, it was his game and his sneaker deal that had Philly alive. You might know this shoe better as the Spaghetti.
Chris Paul - Jordan CP3.IV
21. Jordan CP3.IV — Chris Paul
Issue: #145, March 2011
Being the hottest point guard in the league and stunting your fourth signature shoe from Mike's brand isn't such a bad deal.
LeBron James - Nike Zoom LeBron IV
20. Nike Zoom LeBron IV — LeBron James
Issue: #106, April 2007
It was pretty evident at this point that LeBron was taking over the league and his signature line was hot in the streets. The Foamposite-armored IV was ahead of its time even if it borrowed design cues from a shoe a decade earlier, and it looks like they're doing it again in 2013.
LeBron James - Nike LeBron 9
19. Nike LeBron 9 — LeBron James
Issue: #158, June 2012
The LeBron 9 might not be King James' best sneaker design-wise, but the fact he earned his first ring and it graced damn near every magazine cover last summer will probably make it iconic a dozen years from now.
Kevin Durant - Nike Zoom KD IV
18. Nike Zoom KD IV — Kevin Durant
Issue: #158, June 2012
No doubt the KD IV has been the people's favorite (VI is looking good, too) and being in his arsenal when he took OKC to his first NBA Finals isn't a bad look either.
Ricky Rubio - Nike Hyperdunk
17. Nike Hyperdunk — Ricky Rubio
Issue: #128, June 2009
For a minute two of the best pro point guards weren't even playing in the NBA. SLAM appropriately gave them a cover and put everyone on notice (as if they weren't already) and young Rubio donned the Nike Hyperdunk that has shaped the future of Swoosh Basketball. We see you too, Brandon.
Derrick Rose - adidas adiZero Rose 2.5
16. adidas adiZero Rose 2.5 — Derrick Rose
Issue: #158, June 2012
One of the shoes that helped bring the hype back to the adidas Basketball line. After slaughtering opponents on his way to a MVP season, Rose saw adidas follow up with the the two point oh version of his signature kicks. Paying tribute to the Chi and his mom in the process was a no-brainer.
Vince Carter - AND1 Tai Chi
15. AND1 Tai Chi — Vince Carter
Issue: #41, April 2000
Vince was (legally) inked to Puma and out there doing the Lord's work in AND1. We're guessing that bonus check never made it to his account — hopefully AND1 made it up to him somehow. Of course even if they didn't, his Nike deal wasn't too shabby either.
Kobe Bryant - Nike Zoom Kobe VI
14. Nike Zoom Kobe VI — Kobe Bryant
Issue: #146, April 2011
The cover title might have been a little bit hyperbolic considering the Lakers got swept in the second round, but Kobe still was top five in the game and the subltly transformed Kobe signature series still moved major units.
LeBron James - Nike LeBron X Elite
13. Nike LeBron X Elite — LeBron James
Issue: #168, June 2013
Having your own playoff shoe isn't enough; getting a player edition for nearly every damn game is what Kings do.
Shawn Kemp - Nike Air Flight Lite II Mid
12. Nike Air Flight Lite II Mid — Shawn Kemp
Issue: #2, October 1994
That's right, the Reignman was in Nikes before making the switch to Reebok. Recognize.
Russell Westbrook - Air Jordan XX8
11. Air Jordan XX8 — Russell Westbrook
Issue: #166, April 2013
Damn shame what happened to Russell's knee in the playoffs—dude was having a monster year fresh off penning a deal with JB and debuting one of its best performance kicks of all time. Er, it sucked for the Thunder too.
Larry Johnson - Converse Aero Jam
10. Converse Aero Jam — Larry Johnson
Issue: #1, May 1994
The debut issue and LJ may not have gotten that Nike deal but his rookie campaign on the court and sneakerwise is still one for the books. Remember when he was in the Dunk Contest? Yeah, he probably doesn't either. SLAMBOYANT SNEAKS tho.
Kobe Bryant - Nike Zoom Kobe IV
9. Nike Zoom Kobe IV — Kobe Bryant
Issue: #126, April 2009
Who could guard Kobe in '09? Just Kobe. The new low-top Kobe IVs made it tough to keep up with one of the quickest and most versatile players in the league.
Shawn Kemp - Reebok Kamikaze II
8. Reebok Kamikaze II — Shawn Kemp
Issue: #14, December 1996
For a minute in the mid-'90s Reebok was dropping a lot of serious basketball shoes — and Shawn Kemp helped push 'Bok to the next level. The simplistic use of white and black EKG-esque lines were the foundation of the aesthetically pleasing kicks. Throw in the comfortable Hexalite cushioning and stable ankle support and you were ready to average a double-double and throw down dunks on the best of 'em...vertical pending.
Michael Jordan - Air Jordan II
7. Air Jordan II "White/Black-Red" — Michael Jordan
Issue: #33, April 1999
A throwback flick on the cover following Mike's second retirement featured a shot from the 1987 Slam Dunk Contest where Jordan debuted his Italian-made second signature model. Still ahead of their time.
Michael Jordan - Air Jordan XIII
6. Air Jordan XIII "Playoff" — Michael Jordan
Issue: #27, August 1998
Yup, it sure was. The shot was from All-Star Weekend, though (check the star on the jersey) — good thing Mike's All-Star shoe was also his playoff shoe. Caught us all off-guard with the XIVs, though. Especially Bryon Russell.
Gary Payton - Nike Zoom Flight 98
5. Nike Zoom Flight '98 — Gary Payton
Issue: #26, June 1998
For Gary Payton's 1998 shoe, designer Eric Avar built up a high-tech, lightweight shoe, complete with Zoom Air cushioning and a "monkey paw" anti-inversion device, then covered it all up with either a black nylon or white synthetic leather shroud. A glove for the Glove—perfect.
Penny Hardaway - Nike Air Up
4. Nike Air Up — Penny Hardaway
Issue: #8, November 1995
We see Mike in the Xs, but Penny's black and Orlando blue Nike Air Ups are one the best basketball shoes to ever release. While not an official Penny shoe per se, it was the first to feature his number 1 — a beta version of the Penny logo. Nike made Pippen a pair too, but they didn't come close to touching these. We see the Air Up returning next year, make sure this colorway surfaces again, please.
Stephon Marbury - New Balance 801
3. New Balance 801 — Stephon Marbury
Issue: #31, January 1999
New Balance trail runners? Probably the last shoe you would expect Starbury to rock on the cover of a basketball magazine, but when did Stephon ever do what we expected?
Damon Stoudamire - Nike Zoom Flight 95
2. Nike Zoom Flight '95 — Damon Stoudamire
Issue: #11, May 1996
Before VC and T-Mac, Mighty Mouse was suppose to be the person who put basketball on the map in Canada. He didn't exactly pan out as expected but at least the bug-eyed sneakers looked futuristic fly on the cover.
Michael Jordan - Air Jordan III
1. Air Jordan III "Cement" — Michael Jordan
Issue: #50, April 2001
Really, what else needs to be said? The greatest taking flight in his greatest model of all-time—the reason the youth are still going crazy over retro Jordans 25 years later.