Image via Complex Original
Over the years there have been several ways to go about getting game-worn sneakers from professional athletes. One, of course, was to wait outside an arena or staium by the players' entrance and beg. This was an effective technique, but unfortunately it no longer works. Because a) players generally leave by bus or car, and b) they no longer carry their own shoes—there are equipment managers to do all that. And of course this meant you had to live in an NBA city, which simply isn't the case for everyone. But then eBay came along and democratized everything. Nowadays you can get game-worn shoes from every player from every era, provided you have the PayPal to back it up. Check out 12 Awesome Game Worn Sneakers On eBay Right Now, and please don't outbid us.
Nike Air Max MVP
Athlete: Albert Pujols
Year: 2012
Link: eBay
Albert Pujols surprised everyone, OK, maybe not everyone, but at least some people when he signed with the Angels. Though the move hasn't panned out the way he might have hoped, considering his former team the Cardinals is in the National League Championship Series right now, he still has some of the best PE cleats in the game. And yes, that's WWJD stitched on the side. Shouts to our homeboy, Jesus!
Nike Air Flight Maestro
Athlete: Tim Hardaway
Year: 1995
Link: eBay
There was more than one Hardaway wearing PEs in the '90s, and for a while, Timmy may have even been the more high-profile of the two. Post Run-TMC, Timmy migrated down to Miami, where he showed the pre-LeBron fanbase his crossover skee-ills. The man wasn't in the Fun Police for nothing, and we have no doubt he UTEP two-stepped someone out of their jock in these Maestros.
Air Jordan 6 Rings
Athlete: Rip Hamilton
Year: 2008-'09
Link: eBay
Rip Hamilton has countless PEs but anything with the fully visible "Rip City" on the side is money in the bank. It's as close as you will ever get to having a sign on your sneakers that says, "You ain't got these!"
Reebok BB 5600
Athlete: Dennis Rodman
Year: 1989
Link: eBay
Before Dennis Rodman went off the deep end and became AWESOME, he was more refined with his style. He was still a bad boy on the Pistons but you wouldn't know that by his appearance or his footwear choices. The Reebok BB5600 is a class act and a signed pair from Rodman, pre-freak days, is pretty impressive.
Air Jordan XII
Athlete: Michael Jordan
Year: 1996-'97
Link: eBay
Anything worn by MJ should just be put in the basketball hall of fame. These Air Jordan XIIs should go to a good home that can tell the stories about them in the future. Hell, someone buy them and put them in a time capsule.
LA Gear
Athlete: Shaquille O'Neal
Year: 1990
Link: eBay
Back before Shaq made the move to the NBA, the big man made a name for himself as an LSU Tiger. But what most people won't remember is him wearing LA Gears. Could you imagine if he would have stuck with LA Gear when he turned pro?
Shaq Signature Shoe
Athlete: Shaquille O'Neal
Year: 2000s
Link: eBay
From L.A. Gear to Reebok to his own brand, Shaq was a larger-than-life dude (and still is) who wore larger-than-life sneakers. These Dunkmans will look great on your shelf as long as they don't make it fall down.
Air Jordan 12.5
Athlete: Josh Howard
Year: 2007
Link: eBay
Josh Howard wasn't the best player to get Jordan PEs, and the Jordan 12.5 isn't exactly atop everyone's Jordan PE wishlist, but this sneaker captures a certain time in the industry (and in the League) that should still be remembered. Hopefully it's not Josh selling them.
Converse Pandemonium
Athlete: Anthony Mason
Year: 1995
Link: eBay
Converse didn't just have Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, they kept adding names to the roster into the '90s-and not always the ones you'd expect. They had Larry Johnson and Kevin Johnson, yes, but they also had Latrell Sprewell and Anthony Mason, the bruising Knicks forward who put whatever messages he couldn't fit on his shoes into his hair.
Air Jordan Superfly Cleats
Athlete: Hakeem Nicks
Year: 2012
Link: eBay
Hakeem Nicks is one of the few NFL players to get Jordans. That said, these Superfly cleats are a pair you won't see for sale too often. If you're an NFL fan you might want to jump on these.
Air Jordan XII
Athlete: Gary Payton
Year: 2003
Link: eBay
Gary Payton only had a short stint with the LA Lakers but that didn't stop Jordan Brand from lacing him with some crazy PEs. Obvioulsy these will set you back quite a bit considering their rarity.
Nike Golf Shoes
Athlete: Michael Jordan
Year: 1989
Link: eBay
Talk about history, MJ's golf shoes from the late '80s. Yeah, that's right back when he was on the cover of SI wearing Nikes like these. This is a true piece of history.