Basketball footwear saw an explosion of variety in the 1970s. Whereas only a few years ago, one shoe controlled the NBA court, the 1970s offered new NBA stars and new basketball shoes. Michelin starred French chef Paul Bocuse invented the first high-quality ball for use with sneakers.
He called it the "basketball without strings," and it quickly became popular with players who wanted to keep their feet healthy while on the road so much. Before long, all of the major manufacturers were making shoes designed to fit around this new ball, which had no strings attached to it.
The early '70s saw the introduction of brands such as Converse, Nike, Adidas and Puma. Each company brought something new to the table, including color, design and technology. In 1977, the NBA banned its players from wearing stockings on the court because many of them were using the situation to hide tattoos. That's when everyone started wearing shorts instead.
Also in the late '70s, the NBA began requiring that all shoes used in games have a steel shank inserted into the heel. This is done to provide more support for players who need it. For example, players who play on hard courts often suffer from plantar fasciitis if they don't use shanks in their shoes.
Yes, it was the league's reality at the time. Each player was required by NBA rules to "wear shoes that not only match their outfits, but also match the shoes worn by their teammates."
The silhouette's design Basketball shoes are classified into three types: low-tops, mid-tops, and high-tops. Basketball players used to wear high tops that totally covered their ankles, but currently, more and more players are wearing low-tops that appear more like standard training shoes.
However, the history of basketball shoes in the 1960s is brief. There were two versions of the Converse All-Star: one in black and one in white. Other manufacturers began to introduce their own models in different colors, but none became as popular or iconic as the All-Star.
In addition to the black and white versions of the Converse All-Star, there was a red model that came out in early 1967. However, this shoe was not as successful as its black and white counterparts and was discontinued after only a few months on the market.
Also in early 1967, Converse introduced the Chuck Taylor All-Stars in brown. These shoes were an instant hit and quickly became one of the most popular models of all time. They are still sold today under several different names by various manufacturers worldwide.
The only other model released by Converse in the 1960s was the New York Flash, which was designed by former All-Star player Bill Bradley and came out in late 1968. It is considered a variation on the Chuck Taylor design and was never as popular.
Overall, the history of basketball shoes in the 1960s is full of failure.
1960s. The Converse All-Star, often known as the Chuck Taylor, is largely regarded as the first true basketball shoe. Much though it dates back to 1917, the significant on-court breakthrough occurred only in the 1950s, and even more so in the 1960s. However, the history of basketball shoes in the 1960s is a brief one...
1967. Nike introduces its first shoe, the POTUS, which is an acronym for "Product Of United States." It features red, white, and blue colors and is made from leather and nylon. It sells for $65.00 (equivalent to $220.50 today).
1968. The Adidas AdiZero is released; it is considered by many to be the first real basketball shoe. It sells for $45.00 ($150.00 in 2015 dollars).
1969. The Puma brand releases its PK model, which is designed by Børge Lundberg. It is sold under several names including Superstar and Cement.
1970. The Nike Air Force 1 is released; it is considered by many to be the best basketball shoe of all time. It sells for $65.00 ($225.00 in 2015 dollars).
1971. The adidas Superstar II is released. It is considered by many to be the second best basketball shoe after the Air Force 1. It sells for $60.00 ($180.00 in 2015 dollars).
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