Playboy releases the “Top 23 Air Jordans of All Time” List
Playboy has pieced together, and finally released, one amazing list of Air Jordans. In detail, Nice Kicks Founder and Publisher Matt Halfhill worked closely with Playboy on this extensive Top 23 Air Jordans List. Stare at any of the photos long enough and you’ll find the OG greats and sought after retros that comprise this group. Where did you favorite sneaker land?
The Making of the Air Jordan 2011
I’m not really feeling them but I always like seeing what goes into designing them. You could have came harder than this tho Tinker.
On to the Next…
The “Bordeaux” 7′s drop in April. But I’ve always called them “The Jams” Because they were only worn in the 1992 NBA All Star Game and immortalized in Michael Jackson’s “Jam” video. Stay tuned.
#Cement3Saturday
Last time I was this hype about a release (Space Jams) I missed out. Not this time around. S/O Sneakerman Earl
**UPDATE**
#Cement3Saturday was great success. Nike is finally starting to get it right. Next cop is the Bordeaux 7′s.
Nike LeBron 8 V2
We have seen the Nike LeBron 8 V2 on a number of occasions throughout the past few months. Yet, today Nike and LeBron James have officially unveiled the next generation of James’ eighth signature shoe, the Nike LeBron 8 V2. The Nike LeBron 8 V2 is one ounce lighter than the Nike LeBron 8 and is the first Nike Basketball shoe to possess an upper made entirely of Flywire technology supported by TPU-enforced lightweight mesh in key areas.
“During the first half of the season, the LEBRON 8s gave me a lot of support and protection,” James said. “Heading into the critical second half, the LEBRON 8 V/2 mirrors my evolving game as I become leaner and faster. And I use the lion symbol on the shoe for inspiration as we drive towards a winning season.”
The Jason Petrie designed sneaker features an extreme amount of cushioning, the ever-so-popular Max Air 360 unit, a thin Cushlon footbed under the heel and a perforated high-performance sockliner. The aforementioned lightweight mesh areas are placed on the upper in high-wear areas to provide durability.
As for the design cues, this shoe, much like the Nike LeBron 8, inspired by a lion and James’ competition level on the basketball court. The LeBron 8 V2 contains some of the same characteristics seen on the Nike LeBron 8 such as the tongue’s depiction of a lion and the number eight shaped eyestays among other details.
The Nike LeBron 8 V2 White/Black-Red will officially hit retailers this Saturday, January 8, 2011, for $160. View detailed photos below.
I really like these.
Cool Grey XI’s
Dropped today. Loved these back in 01. Not so much now but still dope none the less.
(via Snearkerman Earl)
Logo Design: The Jumpman
For almost 20 years now the Jumpman has been selling sneakers, shirts, hats, socks, wrist bands, back packs, and anything else Nike could attach a Jumpman to. Giving consumers a piece of Michael Jordan’s incomparable legacy.
But this didn’t happen overnight…
Let’s travel back to 1984 and re-trace the path of the now Infamous Jumpman logo…
The Jumpman logo is actually a silhouette of studio photograph of Mike performing a ballet move, not an actual dunk as the image suggests.
Here’s part of an interview with HOOP Magazine from April of 1997 where MJ talks about the creation of the Jumpman Logo.
“I wasn’t even dunking on that one.
People think that I was.
I just stood on the floor, jumped up and spread my legs and they took the picture.
I wasn’t even running.
Everyone thought I did that by running and taking off. Actually, it was a ballet move where I jumped up and spread my legs.
And I was holding the ball in my left hand.”
The original idea for the photo shoot of the Jumpman came from an older photo of Jordan in LIFE Magazine for the 1984 Olympics.
Nike “sampled” the idea for a poster featuring Mike suspended in air for what would later become the now famous Jumpman logo.
This photo was first featured on the hang tags of all the original Air Jordan I’s from 1985…
But the actual Jumpman logo didn’t join the mix for another 3 years.
Fast forward to 1988…
MJ’s contract with Nike was about to end and Rob Strasser, Nike’s VP was in a power struggle with Nike CEO Phil Knight. Rob and Peter Moore, Nike’s head designer, were secretly hatching a plan to lure the GOAT away from Nike to their new sneaker company called Van Grack. Peter Moore originally did the preliminary design work on the Air Jordan III. He had a pile of sketches of the Air Jordan III but waited until it was too late to execute.
When he left Nike, Tinker Hatfield got the sketches and in amongst it were the outline of the Air Jordan Jumpman logo.
Since 1985, Nike sales have jumped through the roof and Phil Knight (Nike’s CEO) was not about to lose Mike that easily.
He gave Tinker the task of creating & presenting the next AJ III. Both Tinker and Ron Dumas designed the entire AJ III line in a matter of weeks.
Once MJ saw that luxurious tumbled leather wrapped in elephant print with that big, beautiful, fire red Jumpman logo on the tounge, that was it. The Air Jordan III is arguably the most celebrated shoe in the history of the line and was the first to feature the iconic Jumpman.
Nike then attached Spike Lee to the ad campaign playing his endearing character Mars Blackmon and the rest is history.
By the end of Michael Jordan’s career with the Bulls, the Jumpman was strong enough live outside of the shadow of big brother Nike and Brand Jordan soared to new heights.
From a quick Life Time Magazine photoshoot to a CEO of a multi-million dollar company.
Air Jordan I Retro Hi “Banned”
Fat Joe tweeted these pics over the weekend. There were more close pics of the tongue that say Nike Air (Sneaker heads know why thats crazy!) and closeup shots but I didnt catch them in time and they’ve since disappeared. Via @JOEYCRACKTS
The “Banned” Commercial
Air Jordan CMFT Max Air 12 Preview
Following the release of their Viz Air 11, Jordan Brand continues its CMFT runner series with a preview of the first colorway in the Max Air 12. A hybrid of sorts, the sneaker take hints from the popular Air Jordan XII and re-engineers it with a classic Max Air unit. The result should make for quite an interesting discussion among sneaker enthusiasts. A release is set for November 6th, 2010 with retail set at $135 USD.
I don’t care for the Viz Air 11′s but I’d cop these.
Jordan Brand Summer 2011 Releases Sneak Preview
Ok so the staff at Jordan Brand has been taking me on a ride for the past few years. Those of you that know me know that I’m an OG triple OG in the Jordan game but I have been really disappointed, disillusioned and basically just pissed at JB’s releases in the past few years and almost walked away from the game completely and started rockin dress shoes. Yet like a true fiend, some redeeming releases kept me coming back like Pookie, but between Fusions, botched colorways, piss poor quality, the AJ 2009, Mike’s HOF speech and Fusions I came close to completely giving up on my beloved brand. But dammit Summer 11′ looks promising I know its a year from now, but im still bewildered by how fast this year has gone by. Link
