words // Zack Schlemmer

In this edition of Eastbay Memory Lane we take a look at a page filled to the brim with classic Nike Basketball models from 1997.  Let’s start with the two beloved full length Air Max shoes, the Air Pippen and the Air Max Uptempo.  The Air Pippen was Scottie Pippen’s first official signature shoe and sported the aforementioned full length Air Max unit and unique gem piping across the shoe.  The Air Pippen has seen its share of retro releases and is a hit every time.  The Air Max Uptempo, now referred to as the Air Max Uptempo III or ’97, is another heavy hitter from 1997 worn by countless pros.  We see its original colorways here, including a nice white/navy blue women’s version. The Air Movin’ Uptempo is the Air Max Uptempo’s little brother with a take-down design and only visible Air in the heel.  How nice is that black and blue colorway?

The classics keep coming as we see two more signature shoes with Jason Kidd’s Zoom Flight Five and Charles Barkley’s Air CB 4 “97″.  Just like the Air Pippen, the Zoom Flight Five was Jason Kidd’s first official signature shoe.  The Flight Five has been available on Nike iD for years now, but we are still waiting for a return of its original colorways seen here.

To fill out the rest of the page are three more dope, although forgotten, models.  The Air Rattle from the NDESTRUKT line was a tough and durable shoe made to stand up to outdoor play.  Dennis Rodman’s Air Shake gets all of the glory from the NDESTRUKT models, but the Air Rattle is another solid release in Nike’s ultra-durable basketball  line.  Elsewhere we have the clean women’s Air Max Madness and the interesting Air Hops Flight.

There is a lot to choose from on this page, but which ’97 classic is your favorite?