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18. Magic Johnson/Larry Bird
photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images/NBA via 47 BrandNobody’s lining up for a Converse Magic retro, and you can rest assure no one’s camping out for Larry Bird’s star stamped signature shoe. Still, Earvin from East Lansing and the Hick from French Lick carried Converse for an entire era on the strength of the Pro Leather and the Weapon.
Over the course of the ’80s, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird would battle for NBA championships and in turn split individual accolades while leading the two most famous franchises of their generation. Polar opposites in the personality department, their juxtaposition of Hollywood charm and country grit made for the decade’s greatest rivalry and a historic sneaker campaign. Their team color Converse sneakers appropriately tied more to team greatness than spotlight stardom, which ultimately was what the two competitors were all about anyway.
While the two talents would serve as the gatekeepers for Michael Jordan’s greatness, Air Jordan would eventually breakthrough the old guard in every way imaginable. MJ would usher in a new wave of athleticism to the game along with the concept of the star-driven signature shoe that would make most other models obsolete in the ’90s. Though their Chevron branded sneakers don’t translate so well to the name-noted, candy colored kicks that rule today’s game, they were the gold standard for quality in the ’80s. Larry and Magic took Converse from canvas to the leather, bridging the gap between Chuck Taylor and REACT Juice in the decade that saved basketball.
-Ian Stonebrook
