Back in the all-autoclave-everything days, NBA players destroyed their shoes on a regular basis. Imagine a Charles Barkley type playing in Blazers. Not pretty. The Air Force 1, with its cupsole and more carefully constructed upper allowed everyone from NBA All-Stars to streetballers to drive to the hoop without fear of blowouts.
14. The Air Force 1 Was The First Sneaker NBA Players Had Trouble Destroying