Tai Chi
Yeah, you already know. Vince Carter’s coming-out party at the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest had AND1 blowin’ up like WCW Monday Nitro, and began a super successful era for the brand as it transitioned into the Mixtapes. It’s hard to say whether or not the Tai Chi would have been as celebrated in sneaker lore without Vince going Picasso in mid-air, but it’s safe to assume that the shoe’s sleek, split color design and Eastern-influenced name would have garnered support for the brand regardless. Worn by nearly every AND1 athlete, the Tai Chi is arguably a Top 10 basketball shoe ever, and remains synonymous with Vince Carter. Even though VC later had his own line of nicely boinged-out Nike’s, the Tai Chi remains his, and AND1′s, flagship sneaker moment. Dubbed the “Chosen Shoe” by Foot Locker, they are still available if you do a little sleuthing. A piece of sneaker history for only a Ulysses S. Grant and an Andrew Jackson? Better get moving, kids.
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Loved these kicks but it is the KGIIs that I seriously regret not buying. They had that hot metallic purple color way on the toes! Man i wish I owned them….
And1 had a good run for quite a while…i still remembered Marbury wore the Quest for like 2 straight seasons…
Yup, And1 was def the “it” brand for awhile…Wish they had built on that period, rather than rolled over and faded into relative obscurity. Not being able to keep Monta Ellis is a big deal; Steve Blake is not exactly the perfect endorser for the brand in these ultra-competitive times
Streetball took And1 to a whole another level but the Marbury 1 put And1 on the map. The player logo, the slash, the solid leather, the mid top, that shoe represented Marbury and his game. Crossover, dimes, street game, tough, New York City. I still remember back in highschool when these came out and the whole And1 craze began. And1 shoes, And1 shorts, and And1 attitude t-shirts every where. Those were good times.
They should bring these back. They would out sell any and model out there today.
i personally really missed the quest…i bought the Marbury PE back in the days despite it was like two size too big for me…the KG II and a bunch of others came out around that few years were solid performers too…
i dunno what it’s called but i had a tochilin w/o the strap in the middle way way way back in high school hehe
Awesome work, Joe!
Great to reminisce. AND1 really did make an impact.
The Marbury 1 needs to come back.
Ben Wallace with the pre-crocs
No love for Silky Smooth?
And1 needs to retro the Desire..the ones kobe wore
I had the sprewellls with the zipper down the middle, hot son!
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