The 10 Best Performances in the Converse Weapon

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Complex Original

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1.

Kevin McHale Boston Celtics Converse Weapon

No. 10 - Kevin McHale, Boston Celtics

Stats: 36 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Game: 3/11/1987 vs. Phoenix Suns

The lanky McHale was known for his ability to contort his body in all kinds of crazy ways underneath the basket, and on this night the Celtics’ power forward used this skill set along with his Converse Weapons to have a career night. Utilizing the natural rubber outsole for traction down on the block, McHale deftly maneuvered around the basket as he scored at will against Suns’ star Larry Nance, draining 15 of his 19 shots on the night and spurring the Celtics to a comeback win in the fourth quarter.

2.

Mark Aguirre Dallas Mavericks Converse Weapon

No. 9 - Mark Aguirre, Dallas Mavericks

Stats: 41 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Game: 2/20/1987 vs. San Antonio Spurs

A prolific scorer in college who was the No. 1 overall pick of the 1981 NBA Draft, Aguirre showed just how dangerous he could be once he laced up his Converse Weapons. Hitting on 19 of his 30 attempts, the Mavericks’ swing man took advantage of his shoes’ Y-Bar construction and high ankle collar that gave him all the support he needed as he worked to get open around the perimeter. They were so effective in getting him open, in fact, that Aguirre was able to take all the jumpers he wanted and didn’t go to the foul line once during the entire game.

3.

Larry Bird Boston Celtics Converse Weapon

No. 8 - Larry Bird, Boston Celtics

Stats: 47 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals
Game: 4/12/1987 vs. New York Knicks

As one of the most famous players of the day and a face of the Converse Weapon, Larry Bird had a lot of expectations to live up to each game. In this clash with the Knicks, the oft-injured star took advantage of his Weapons’ Center of Pressure outsole and shock absorbing EVA midsole to pour in 47 points against the visiting Knicks. The cushioning of his shoes kept Bird comfortable and on the court for an historic year in which he became the first player since 1979-80's inception of the three point line to post 50-40-90 season shooting percentages from the field, on threes, and free throws.

4.

Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers Converse Weapon

No. 7 - Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

Stats: 38 points, 8 rebounds, 16 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Game: 12/21/1986 vs. Houston Rockets

In winning the MVP award for the 1986-87 season, Magic Johnson posted some of the year's best stat lines. A player whose versatility was unmatched until LeBron James came along, Magic was the ideal fit for the Weapons—the Y-Bar system gave the point guard the stability necessary to cut all over the court, while the rubber outsole gave him the traction he needed to run the Lakers’ patented “Showtime” offense. The result of this combination was a lot of games like this one, where Magic filled the stat sheet en route to a Lakers win.

5.

Isiah Thomas Detroit Pistons Converse Weapon

No. 6 - Isiah Thomas, Detroit Pistons

Stats: 35 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals
Game: 5/8/1987 vs. Atlanta Hawks

Before the Pistons could become the “Bad Boys” that went on to win back-to-back NBA titles, they needed to find their swagger in the playoffs. Sporting Converse Weapons, Isiah Thomas gave them some early experience in this game against the Hawks. Playing at home with their best-of-five series tied at one game apiece, Thomas took control. The diminutive point guard was a beast in all aspects of the game as he pushed his team to a win, and thanks to the stable construction his shoes were able to absorb all the punishment both Thomas and his opponents could dish out.

6.

Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers Converse Weapon

No. 5 - Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

Stats: 33 points, 12 rebounds, 19 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Game: 3/22/1987 vs. Sacramento Kings

The triple-double was a regular feature of the Magic Johnson experience, and this one came in a particularly stunning performance from the Lakers’ point guard. In a game that featured a ton of offense, Johnson was the star in his Weapons as he used the superior traction provided by his shoes’ rubber outsole to cut all over the floor and elude any defensive pressure the Kings tried to apply. He got all of his teammates in on the scoring act as well, as four of his teammates also scored in double figures as the Lakers earned a hard-fought win.

 Kevin McHale Boston Celtics Converse Weapon

No. 4 - Kevin McHale, Boston Celtics

Stats: 38 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks
Game: 3/1/1987 vs. Detroit Pistons

In a harbinger of things to come in the playoffs, the Celtics earned a late win over the Pistons on this night. Thanks to McHale’s tenacity around the hoop aided by his Converse Weapons, the Celtics were able to control the paint against the Pistons’ young front line of Bill Laimbeer, John Salley and Dennis Rodman all night long as McHale shot an exceedingly efficient 15 of 21 from the floor. The Y-Bar construction and high ankle collar of the Weapons were essential in keeping McHale on the court, as the physical Pistons often tried to take the opposing team’s best players out of the game by any means necessary.

7.

Larry Bird Boston Celtics Converse Weapon

No. 3 - Larry Bird, Boston Celtics

Stats: 36 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
Game: 5/26/1987 vs. Detroit Pistons

While Bird’s entire stat line looks incredibly impressive, NBA fans will most remember his one steal and one particular assist. That play, of course, was Bird’s famous last-second theft of Isiah Thomas’ inbound pass and subsequent dish to Dennis Johnson for the game-winning layup with one second left on the clock. This play only further cemented his legendary status, and allowed the Celtics go on to win the game and the series.

8.

Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers Converse Weapon

No. 2 - Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

Stats: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 19 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Game: 6/14/1987 vs. Boston Celtics

While Magic may not have scored as many points as he normally did, this outstanding performance fueled the Lakers to a six-game NBA Finals win over their hated rival Boston Celtics and secured Johnson the Finals MVP award. After struggling to just four points in the first half, Magic put the Celtics away in the second half. His incredible effort would prompt Larry Bird, his biggest rival, to call Magic “the best I’ve ever seen” after the game had ended.

9.

Larry Bird Boston Celtics Converse Weapon

No. 1 - Larry Bird, Boston Celtics

Stats: 29 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists, 3 steals
Game: 6/8/1986 vs. Houston Rockets

Like Magic’s game the next year, Bird unleashed an absolutely spectacular effort in securing an NBA championship for his team while wearing his Converse Weapons. Fueled by a disappointing Game 5 loss, the forward led the charge on both ends of the floor, annihilating the Rockets’ defense to the point that the Celtics led by as many as 30 points in the fourth quarter. This virtuoso, triple-double effort by Bird was rewarded with his second finals MVP trophy and third NBA title.