No. 10 - Giving the Jazz the Blues
Sneaker: Nike Hyperdunk
Game: Phoenix vs. Utah, December 6, 2008
Key numbers: 22 points, 20 rebounds
Amar’e spent much of the ’08-09 NBA season laced in the Nike Hyperdunk, which offered groundbreaking support via its Flywire overlays. He wore them for this monster double-double over Utah in late 2008.
No. 9 - S.T.A.T. Kills the Stat Line
Sneaker: Nike Air Force S.T.A.T.
Game: Phoenix vs. San Antonio, February 1, 2007
Key numbers: 24 points, 23 rebounds
Tim Duncan’s a force in the paint, but on this night in February 2007, he couldn’t stop Amar’e. Phoenix won 103-87, and Duncan’s 20 points and 18 rebounds seemed measly next to S.T.A.T.’s 24 and 23.
No. 8 - Double OT Warfare
Sneaker: Nike Zoom Huarache TR Mid “S.T.A.T.” PE
Game: New York vs. Detroit, November 28, 2010
Key numbers: 37 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists
Weeks after celebrating his birthday in 2010, it was back to business as New York faced Detroit on the road. Amar’e wore a PE version of the Zoom Huarache TR Mid, a shoe that was technically a trainer but held up well on the courts, as he led the Knicks to a double overtime W.
No. 7 - Dethroning the Kings
Sneaker: Nike Air Force S.T.A.T.
Game: Phoenix vs. Sacramento, March 22, 2007
Key numbers: 33 points, 21 rebounds, 3 blocks
Since 1995, only two Phoenix Suns players have eclipsed 30 points and 20 rebounds in a single game: Shawn Marion in 2006, and Amar’e Stoudemire in a March 2007 win over Sacramento. S.T.A.T. let loose with 33 points, 21 rebounds, and 3 blocks in his Air Force signature model.
No. 6 - Trading Points with Dirk
Sneaker: Nike Air Force S.T.A.T.
Game: Phoenix vs. Dallas, March 14, 2007
Key numbers: 41 points, 10 rebounds
Over the last decade, there have only been a handful of truly elite offensive big men: Amar’e, Dwight Howard, and Dirk Nowitzki are the first names that come to mind. And in March 2007, with both Stoudemire and Nowitzki in their prime, they went back and forth in a double OT thriller. The final result? Amar’e had 41, Dirk had 30, and the Suns won 129-127.
No. 5 - Clipping LA’s Wings
Sneaker: Nike Hyperdunk
Game: Phoenix vs. LAC, February 28, 2009
Key numbers: 42 points, 11 rebounds
There’s double-doubles, and then there’s 40+ point, all-out domination double-doubles. Amar’e dealt the latter to the Los Angeles Clippers in February of ’09, lacing up his trusty Hyperdunks for the colossal showing.
No. 4 - He’s Still Got it
Sneaker: Nike Zoom Huarache TR Mid “S.T.A.T.” PE
Game: New York vs. Philadelphia, February 6, 2011
Key numbers: 41 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks
Amar’e’s not quite the superstar he used to be, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still heat it up from time to time. In 2011, he torched the 76ers with 41 points and 7 rebounds, and swatted away 4 shots for good measure.
No. 3 - Patrolling the Paint
Sneaker: Nike Air Force S.T.A.T.
Game: Phoenix vs. Atlanta, February 25, 2007
Key numbers: 43 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists
During the 2000s, there weren’t many big men who could hold down the paint the way Amar’e could. This February 2007 showing against the Hawks is a perfect example, as he exploded with 43 points and 16 rebounds in the Air Force S.T.A.T.
No. 2 - Setting a Career-High
Sneaker: Nike Air Force Operate
Game: Phoenix vs. Portland, January 2, 2005
Key numbers: 50 points, 11 rebounds
Before he got his own Air Force S.T.A.T. sneaker, Amar’e rocked with models like the Air Force Operate, which used a similar strap-based configuration for lockdown support. And operate he did, going to work on the Trail Blazers with a career-high 50 points in January 2005.
No. 1 - Doing it All
Sneaker: Nike Hyperdunk
Game: Phoenix vs. Indiana, November 5, 2008
Key numbers: 49 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assist, 5 steals
Although he fell just shy of 50 points, this November ’08 game against the Pacers was the single biggest display of dominance in Stoudemire’s career. Not only did he score and handle the boards as always, but he dished out six dimes and grabbed five steals for an MVP-worthy game, all while wearing the Nike Hyperdunk. And to think, you thought it was just Kobe’s shoe.
RELATED: GALLERY: Shaquille O’Neal’s Best Moments in the Reebok Shaq Attaq
RELATED: Magic Johnson’s Best On-Court Sneaker Moments
