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Reebok understood that to challenge Nike, they needed to enter the basketball market. The 1980s saw a transformation in basketball sneakers, with Converse, Adidas, and Nike all vying for dominance. In 1988, Reebok introduced the Pump, inspired by inflatable ski boot technology. While early prototypes stumbled, the iconic D Brown's dunk during the 1991 Slam Dunk Contest catapulted the Pump to success, cementing Reebok's status in basketball footwear.
By the dawn of the 1990s, Reebok had eclipsed Nike to become the world’s largest sports company, but this was a fleeting victory. Nike had their eyes on basketball's next superstars, particularly Michael Jordan, who ultimately defined the era and set the tone for sneaker endorsement deals.