The 10 Best Performances in the Nike Air Unlimited

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RELATED: Today in Performance Sneaker History: David Robinson Scores 71 Points in the Nike Air Unlimited

Doug Sibor contributes to Sneaker Report, Complex Media, and Bleacher Report, and can often be found shuttling between Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium and TD Garden. If you wish to discuss sports, sneakers, reality TV or acceptable meats to use as pizza toppings, follow him here.

1.

David Robinson San Antonio Spurs Nike Air Unlimited

No. 10 - David Robinson, Western Conference All-Stars

Stats: 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks
Game: 2/13/1994 vs. Eastern Conference All-Stars

With all the talent on the floor, the All-Star game isn’t usually an ideal place for stars to stand out. Robinson managed to do it anyway, posting strong numbers in the Nike Air Unlimited. Relying on the strong support provided by the four different straps along the upper, Robinson was able to control the paint against the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Patrick Ewing as he showed why he was an MVP favorite heading into this yearly showcase. His 19 points were tied for the most on the West, and he led his team in free throw attempts with 10.

2.

Grant Hill Duke Blue Devils Nike Air Unlimited

No. 9 - Grant Hill, Duke University Blue Devils

Stats: 25 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists
Game: 3/20/1994 vs. Michigan State Spartans

On their run to the NCAA championship game, the Blue Devils leaned heavily upon their senior star Hill to lead them against the nation’s toughest teams. Fortunately for them, the swingman was up to the task thanks to his Nike Air Unlimited. The durable leather upper allowed the skinny, slashing Hill to get to the basket in this game against the bigger Michigan State defenders as he willingly sacrificed his body to get a hard-earned win. Hill paid for his effort, as he was fouled all night long en route to attempting nine free throws.

3.

Jason Kidd Cal Bears Nike Air Unlimited

No. 8 - Jason Kidd, California Golden Bears

Stats: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 18 assists
Game: 1/20/1994 vs. Stanford Cardinal

Before he was racking up the triple-doubles in the NBA, Jason Kidd was dominating the Pac-10 in the Nike Air Unlimited. Utilizing the snug fit of the inner booty as he zigzagged all across the court, splitting defenders and freeing his teammates for easy buckets, Kidd was able to register his third triple-double of the season on this night against Stanford. His 18 assists set a conference and school record, further adding to his eventual season total of 272 (which would also set a school record).

4.

Chris Webber Golden State Warriors Nike Air Unlimited

No. 7 - Chris Webber, Golden State Warriors

Stats: 26 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks
Game: 3/1/1994 vs. Los Angeles Clippers

While he only lasted one season as a Warrior, Webber certainly made quite an impression as a rookie. The snug fit of the Nike Air Unlimited’s neoprene ankle booty allowed Webber to comfortably range all over the court as he showed the versatility that made him a star at Michigan and the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Feasting on a weak Clippers team, Webber dominated inside the paint as he collected a staggering 11 offensive rebounds to lead his team to a five point win.

5.

David Robinson San Antonio Spurs Nike Air Unlimited

No. 6 - David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs

Stats: 50 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 6 blocks
Game: 2/21/1994 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

En route to winning his first and only scoring title, David Robinson displayed an incredible knack for creating points in the paint against even high defensive pressure. This talent could partly be attributed to his Nike Air Unlimited, whose Nike Air unit in the heel allowed the center to land softly even as he was being brutalized in the air on his way up for another contested shot. He was clearly feeling good on this night as he tallied his second-highest point total of the season, not only hitting 18 shots from the floor but also burying 13 of his 15 free throws.

6.

Grant Hill Duke Blue Devils Nike Air Unlimited

No. 5 - Grant Hill, Duke University Blue Devils

Stats: 33 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals
Game: 2/5/1994 vs. Clemson Tigers

Whenever you’re a No. 1 ranked team playing a familiar conference foe on the road, it can be incredibly easy to slip up. Grant Hill simply would not allow that to happen to his Duke squad, as he used the floor grip of his Nike Air Unlimited’s rubber outsole to attack the rim and keep Clemson at bay all night long. Hill attacked the basket with abandon, getting fouled numerous times but staying composed at the line as he hit 11 of 12 free throws and led his team to a four point victory.

7.

David Robinson San Antonio Spurs Nike Air Unlimited

No. 4 - David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs

Stats: 40 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks
Game: 3/12/1994 vs. Houston Rockets

David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon are two of the greatest centers ever to play the game, and their rivalry was one of the great all-time matchups at their position. Thanks to the snug fit of the neoprene ankle booty of his Nike Air Unlimited, Robinson remained comfortable in the face of his Hakeem’s relentless pressure and led his team to a win on this night in Houston. Robinson’s defense was particularly good this game, as he forced Olajuwon into an off shooting night and controlled the paint against the talented Rocket guard combination of Sam Cassell Kenny Smith and Vernon Maxwell.

8.

Chris Webber Golden State Warriors Nike Air Unlimited

No. 3 - Chris Webber, Golden State Warriors

Stats: 36 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 6 blocks
Game: 1/4/1994 vs. Sacramento Kings

In a sign of the stardom that was to come, Webber utilized the lockdown ankle and heel support provided by the Nike Air Unlimited’s straps to absolutely torch the Kings. He was unstoppable in all facets of the game, shooting an efficient 15-of-23 on offense while dominating the paint on defense as he corralled countless rebounds and swatted away the shots of Kings star Mitch Richmond. Webber’s 36 points were not just a career high; they also helped his team rally from a 107-99 deficit with under three minutes to go and steal a win from the hapless Kings.

9.

David Robinson San Antonio Spurs Nike Air Unlimited

No. 2 - David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs

Stats: 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 blocks
Game: 2/17/1994 vs. Detroit Pistons

Robinson was the central focus of the Spurs’ offense for the entire 1993-94 season, and at no time was that more apparent than when he recorded the fourth quadruple-double since the NBA starting keeping track of blocks in 1973-74. The Nike Air Unlimited was an essential component of this accomplishment, as the shoe’s unprecedented combo of a snug-fitting inner booty and four reinforced straps kept his ankles fresh and healthy all night long as he battled through 43 minutes on the court. Some 20 years later, Robinson’s quadruple-double has yet to be duplicated on an NBA court.

10.

David Robinson San Antonio Spurs Nike Air Unlimited

No. 1 - David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs

Stats: 71 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks
Game: 4/24/1994 vs. Los Angeles Clippers

The race for the 1993-94 NBA scoring title came down to the final day of the regular season, and Robinson took the crown sporting the locked-in fit and durable leather upper of the Nike Air Unlimited. Feasting on a feeble Clippers front line with shoes that kept his feet stable and protected, the Spurs’ stalwart center scored his team’s first 18 points of the game and punctuated his Herculean effort by tallying 28 points in the fourth quarter alone. His amazing effort was more than enough to take home the scoring title, and vaulted the Spurs into the playoffs with a huge burst of momentum.

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