One of Vince Carter’s most iconic sneakers didn’t have a swoosh on it.
The 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest saw Vinsanity run wild in one of the best performances ever. Vince was still under contract with Puma at the time, but was unhappy with the sneakers he was wearing. Carter’s agent got him out of his contract, but he would not be able to wear a specific brand for consecutive games for the rest of the season. Because of this, Vince rocked Nike, adidas, and AND1 – basically any brand willing to send Carter sneakers to test out. For reasons only he would know, Carter inexplicably rocked the AND1 Tai Chi for the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, which was on hiatus the past two NBA seasons.
Premium leather is used on the upper, something standard during the era of basketball shoes. A chrome shank plate adds stability to the midfoot. Soft EVA foam is used in the midsole while the strobel and insole offer additional cushioning.
You can find Vince Carter’s AND1 Tai Chi shoes at StockX.
