Image via Complex Original
Regulators, mount up! Before Jesus Shuttlesworth was a kid named Kyle Lee Watson—just a high school baller trying to take his game to Georgetown and keep his people close in the process. We don't want to give too much away if you haven't seen the film other than it is a must see—the Death Row soundtrack might be the greatest of all time, Tupac kills it, Pee Wee Kirkland makes a cameo, and oh yeah there is some dope footwear as well. We decided to check the game tape and break it down so next time you have a lazy Sunday with your boys you can hit them with a little sneaker 101. Click on the gallery to check out A Complete Sneaker Guide to 'Above The Rim' and just throw this on repeat while you do.
adidas Pro Model
adidas Pro Model
Year (of Sneaker): 1970
The movie kicks off with Shep (Leon) on the rooftop back in the day with his boy seeing who had better hops. Before Shep takes off for flight, we get a look at the legendary Pro Model adidas straight from the '70s. Fast forward a decade later and we see he stays with the classics rocking the same sneakers while he is playing a little one-on-none and getting stuck in the face trying to prove he is done runnin' from the death of his friend Nutso and his brother played by Tupac.
Chucks
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Year (of Sneaker): 1917
The flick had a Death Row/West Coast heavy influence and in the opening scene when Shep's friend falls off the rooftop trying to prove his skills it is kind of ironic to see him fall to his death in some Chucks. Bury him a G.
Reebok Satellite Mid
Reebok Satellite Mid
Year (of Sneaker): 1990
While he was housing Montrose and everyone else that stepped into his house (including himself) Kyle Lee Watson was shaking and alley-ooping to himself in some fresh Reeboks. His play was enough to get on Birdie's squad and earn him a few dollars, sneaker, clothes, and hoes—welcome to the good life, Kyle.
Nike AF Max
Nike Air Force Max
Year (of Sneaker): 1993
The Fab Five wasn't the only crew thuggin' it out in the black colorway of Barkley's iconic sneaker. In the start of the movie we catch a shot of one of Birdie's dudes rocking a pair as they enter the gym to check out Kyle Lee Watson's game. 4-5's or Air Max, always strapped.
Barnes and Bobby - Pony
Pony
Year (of Sneaker): 1990's
Spud gave the brand major credibility thanks to his hardware from the NBA Slam Dunk contest and in the late 80's and early 90's the low and high-top sneakers got love on the floor including a team model makeup rocked by Kyle's off guard and post man for the Monarchs.
Reebok - Boogs
Reebok Pump Vertical
Year (of Sneaker): 1992
Boogs may have looked like a 14-carat Urkel on the playground but we have to dap him for a quick flip and breaking out one of Reebok's hottest new models just days after getting out of jail. Either you slangin' crack-rock or you got a wicked jump shot—Boogs jumper isn't that nice.
Reebok - Kyle
Reebok Basketball
Year (of Sneaker): 1990s
Kyle switches it up on the blacktop and when he isn't donning his Monarch jersey, rocking a new pair of base model Reeboks (a little product placement) as Shep gives him a little advice on his jumper that came up short the night before when his team needed it most. The shark-teeth pattern was king during the early '90s, as evident on your favorite snapback during the same era as well as your Jordan Vs.
Air Diamond Turf
Nike Air Diamond Turf
Year (of Sneaker): 1993
When Nike laced Deion with his Air Diamond Turfs they had to cater to the needs of one of the most diverse athletes of our generation, so it wasn't crazy to see these hit the courts. The strap was a look even Jordan and company had to put on their sneakers to keep up with the trends.
Nike Ballistic Force
Nike Air Ballistic Force
Year (of Sneaker): 1992
The Air Ballistic Forces have some history, getting some limelight in a hoops cinematic classic and they were also the shoes that helped Chuck beat Godzilla. Perfect for the playground, we get a shot of a white and orange colorway in the Reebok-sponsored shootout. We're guessing production forgot to take care of their connects.
ASICS GT Quick
ASICS GT Quick
Year (of Sneaker): 1990s
ASICS wasn't just about pounding pavement with running shoes, in the early 90's they had a few kicks dope enough for the court, including the slim and ultra-fast cut GT Quicks. Isiah Thomas knew.
BK Dymacel
British Knights BK Dymacel Derrick Coleman
Year (of Sneaker): 1991
Motaw was Birdman's wartime lieutenant, and just like DC he had no problem being the enforcer. The murdered-out black BK's took things to another level when Motaw (yup, that's Barksdale for you Wire fans) pulls the trigger trying to fade Kyle after he breaks his word to lose to Birdie in the championship game.
Reebok Pump
Reebok Pump Omni Zone III
Year (of Sneaker): 1992
The Pump's fame exploded wih Dee Brown in the '91 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and continued to build as Nike's biggest competition in the early '90s. The Omni Zone III was an all-around solid mid-cut basketball shoe featuring Hexalite cushioning (a step up from the Omni Zone's ERS) and the Pumps went hard in the streets, having everyone pumping it up in between buckets (or celebrating off the bench).