With cabin fever setting in after two days in the house because of an ice storm, I figured it was time to do some cleaning. Much to my surprise I didn’t realize my book shelve wasn’t the only thing that was going to be dusted off. Nostalgia has a funny way of hitting you. And it struck me when I cracked open the box and found these:
The 1994-95 Nike Air Up Penny Hardaway release . . . these have been on ice (no pun intended) since 1995. They have only been worn one time; a high school all-star game in which I was named M.V.P. after dropping 16 points and picking four pockets. I also had a few dimes.
I had the all black pair for my senior season in high school but the sole began to rip away and since I had Nike on speed dial I called them up and sent the shoes back. I received the new colorway in about a month, just in time for the all-star game.
As a quick note, I busted a guy in the chops for reaching during the game and busted his lip, but these are still crisp with no blood.
Anyone else got a stash that hasn’t been cracked open in a while?
Jeremy Hartman is the Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at RE Lee High in Staunton, Virginia, and a frequent reader of www.bouncemag.com. All of our site’s visitors are welcome to contribute pieces and stories. Kindly submit ideas to bobbito@bouncemag.com.
March 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Feets Malone says:
Excellent post!!! I’m happy to see a real basketball shoe getting love. In addition, to the fact education is being shared on kicks….Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, here lies the proof Penny’s first shoe was not the Foamposite….
March 4th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Casey Lee says:
~Penny was one of my favorite players in the NBA~
That blue is looking sharp! Magic and Memphis colors hah
April 15th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
James says:
Does anyone have a pic of these in white?
They were my FAVORITE shoe ever, the ones in white, with black/blue being the secondary colors. I can’t even find a damn picture of them online. I wish Nike would bring them back.
October 11th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Christian says:
By far one of my fav shoes. Just puts the image of Penny getting “Up” and throwing down on Ewing in my head. (YouTube Penny Top 10 #1 or Slam of Da Month to those who remember). These were Penny’s first but Pippen also had them in white and red with a 33 on the back. Never got a pair bc I had to go with my boy Kemp and get the Insta Pumps. These need to be released again bc they look sick when you run. He had another shoe that he wore after these in the playoffs that im trying to find. I just remember they were super lite. Came in Black with white and blue accent. Seems like GP wore them also (if you dont know who GP is then you wont know the shoe.lol)