NBA All-Star Weekend kicks off today. Big weekend o’fun. So B/R asked for some analysis about the Top NBA All-Star Starting Line-ups of all time and I considered doing it. Then I realized the only All-Star game I ever cared about was in 1994 when B.J. Armstrong from the Chicago Bulls was selected and my love for him was finally validated!

Then, my Canadian Shoe Expert Etienne** stepped in and started talking bout the crazy shoes that come out for All-Star Weekend. He showed me some pics and I found out that this is Ultimate Sneaker Fashion Week with players modeling their hot new shoes that are about to launch! The games are like Runways! Perfect! I love fashion shows! And shoes! And I’d get to write about them!? It’ll be much easier and funner than looking up b’ball history.

Right. You have no idea how obnoxious it was to compile research about this. I never want to hear another man bitch or mock my shoe collection or hear a guy tell his wife “what do you need another pair of shoes for?” Because seriously, do you even know how many shoes Kobe Bryant puts out in a year? How many different colors the Air Force 1s come in? How many divisions of Air Jordans there are?

I will never be mocked again for my love of shoes.

These are not in any order, I do not believe in ranking shoes. It is mean to the other shoes. Don’t worry, this is very Sneaker-Hater friendly. Never been a fan myself till now. But these are so fab I want some! And shhh….there may even be a pair of heels in there too!

**Etienne is also the inspiration, the co-creator, and coiner of the term “new shoe dance”  in 2002. This dance is very special, involves a lot of shaking and is used to celebrate the purchase of a fabulous pair of heels or sneakers.

If you like this piece you will love the Slideshow I put together on The Bleacher Report! The pics are bigger better and it’s just plain fun!

Nike, The Air Force 1, 1983

The start of the madness. This little shoe propelled Nike to the top. It now comes in over 1,800 color combinations and limited editions. It is the number one selling shoe style of all time. And the basis of Nelly’s 2002 hit song “Air Force 1″

Air Force 1, All-Star 25th Anniversary

Detailing in the shoes includes faces of the “original six” and the “new six” that helped launch AF1s to their height of popularity

Michael Jordan, Air Jordan I, 1985, All-Star Game

The first “all-star sneaker.” Mike broke all the rules rocking these during the game. He was charged $5,000 a game every time he wore them because it went against the NBA dress code.  And he rocked these in his first all-star game. Talk about being fashion forward! Who knew the madness that this little moment would lead to.

Air Jordan XVII Lightening, 2002, MJ’s Final All-Star Game

Scottie Pippen, “It’s gotta be the Red Shoes,” 1994

Sure Scottie was always a good player, but no one really focused on him while Mike was flying through the air. Then came the 1994 All-Star Game where Pip pulled down 29 points, 11 boards and four steals and won the MVP. If that wasn’t enough, his shockingly red shoes definitely yanked him right out of Mike’s shadows and said “here I am, look at me!”

Tracy McGrady, T-Mac 3,

Don’t you hate when you have two pairs of shoes that go with your outfit and you really can’t decide which pair looks the best?

Don’t worry! Just go Punky Brewster style and mix things up!

Also I have to say I am transfixed by these shoes. Very shiny!

Kobe Bryant, The Strangest Shoes Ever, Multiple years

I had to pick these because these just don’t look like real shoes. They are beyond strange.

Nike Zoom III All-Star Edition, 2008

Almost like a jelly shoe…or a plastic Ken doll shoe. Very peculiar.

The Kobe I, 2001 &  The Kobe II

WTF. These terrify me. Are they sneakers? Moonmen shoes? Cars for feet? The original Kobe’s were actually made-up with the design team from Audi. I read somewhere that he did wear The Kobe I during an All-Star came but I can not 100% confirm because I forgot the site. As for the silver one…how bad do you just want to stick a Barbie and Ken doll in the shoe and add a steering wheel? Vroom!!

Chris Webber, DaDa Chrome CDubbz, 2002

I don’t feel like these need any other descript than “badass!” And shiny!

LeBron James, Nike Zoom

I couldn’t pick a fave here, I liked them all for different reasons.

Zoom IV, All-Star Skills Challenge, 2007

Zoom V, All-Star Game East, 2008

Zoom III All-Star Edition, Houston 2006

Zoom IV, Las Vegas All-Star 2007

Paul Pierce, Nike Air Max P2 IV,2008

Normally I think Celtics’ players should be rocking green sneaks all the time. However, this shoe is awesome! It manages to incorprate a monogram with fake croc design while staying sleek and stylish at the same time. I want to start a sneaker collection so I can touch these ones.

Allen Iverson, Reebok–The Question 1996, and The Answer VI 2008

What a difference almost 10 years of technology and fashion makes! Since ’96 Iverson really has become the Answer to Reebok’s failing b’bball shoe line! The 2008 All-Star show was as cool as you can be with a velcro-strap.

Dwayne Wade,  Converse All-Star BOGO, 2006

Who doesn’t love a BOGO?

(special Infomercial voiceover) In stores, these shoes would sell for over $100 a piece! But right now we are offering you the deal of the century! If you buy the red, white and blue All-Star shoe we’re going to give you another another pair of sneakers in D Wade’s college colors, for free! But wait, if you order in the next few minutes, I’ll throw in a special poster of Wade that says “Greatness is not a destination. It is a journey!” absolutely free! Don’t wait, order today ***

**Some restrictions apply. Limited time only. Not available in stores anymore. Not for sale. I cannot give you this deal. Too bad you can’t get them anymore. Etc.

My Personal Faves:

Air Force I Low LE, 2006 Houston All-Star Game

I looked at a lot of sneaker designs for all the recent All-Star Games and for some reason this one really stood out to me. It’s shiny, vibrant simplicity makes these shoes wow me more than the glam and glitz of some other models.

Nike Zoom BB II, 2008 All Star Game

(disregard the comments from the previous shoe) Fun and funky and look like animal print?!!?!? Shut up! LOVE them!

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Adidas, All-Star Gabe Urist x Adidas TS Pro Model Mid, 2008

They are pretty sneakers! Adidas got together with NYC jeweler Gabe Urist to develop this sweet pair that was sold exclusively in New Orleans during the 2008 All-Star weekend. They even have Japanese flowers on the heel and shiny gold stripes!

Mariah Carey, Air Jordan XI Heels, 2003

I thought these were an urban shoe myth like S&TC’s Manolo Mary Janes. Still not entirely convinced they are real because this is the only physical proof I could find of them! But apparently Mariah Carey totally rocked them!  If anyone has further information about this shoe myth I would greatly appreciate it!

For more great All-Star Shoes, check out Marc Ecko’s Complex

About the author: Jennifer Taglione is the owner of this fabulous website Stiletto Sports. Despite writing well over 500 posts, she still maintains that she is not a sports writer! She is however a huge fan of Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Mark Sanchez, the Celtics, and totally kicks butt on March Madness brackets! Connect with her by following her on Twitter @StilettoSportsJ and subscribing to her weekly newsletter. For more info check out the About the Editor page!

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