Like Mike: 4/1/08

4/26/08

Air Jordan Force V "Grey Nurse"

Air Jordan will soon be releasing a new Air Jordan Force V "Grey Nurse" at Air Jordan Flight Club.

These Air Jordan Force Fusion V’s are loosely modeled on the Hyperion Spitfire MK VIII 253 Grey Nurse, which was Tinker Hatfield’s direct inspiration for the original Air Jordan V’s.

The markings on the heel and toe are taken directly from the decorations on the plane itself, as is the overall grey and black colorway.

For those who have criticized the Force Fusion line of shoes in the past, these kicks are completely true to the history of the Air Jordan V, as they use Hatfield’s primary inspiration as the primary motif of the design.

Look for the drop at Air Jordan Flight Club on 05/02/2008 for $175/

Thank Sneaker News for the pics and info.

4/24/08

Air Jordan 1 Retro "Fathers Day"

Drops June 7th.

Thank HighSnobiety for the pics and info.

4/22/08

Michael Jordan, Save the World

A sculpture artist by the name of Norman Paris caught my attention on my daily during my search for mindless content to keep the site fresh with new intresting information.

Norman Paris’s sculpture and drawings are generated out of a search for heroes finding meaning and gallantry in pop culture figures as he examines the need for icons as both an individual and universal phenomenon.

In April of 2005 Norm displayed his "Michael Jordan, Save the World" installation at the Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia.

Even though this is old news, I thought everyone would really enjoy the work of this artist considering the irony that Norm grew up in Clevland as a Cav's fan hating Michael Jordan for obvious reasons.

Here are a few screen shots from the Studioscopic interview Norm did discussing the "Michael Jordan, Save the World" installation.

To view the full Studioscopic interview with Norm Paris copy and paste this link:

http://dskessler.com/studioscopic/2008/02/27/norm-paris-michael-jordan-save-the-world/

( Click on the image below to watch the interview here, but the wide screen video does not fit on the blog format. Part of the video clips on the right side. )

Norm Paris - 'Michael Jordan, Save the World' (7m30s)

Flash
| QuickTime

by: vPIP	Embed (copy & paste):	close

To view more work by Norm go to www.NormParis.com

Air Jordan IV Black Cement

It's official!

The Air Jordan IV's to be released in the 4/19 Count Down Pack will be the classic Black/Cement color scheme.

Of course everyone would love to have the NIKE AIR on the back, but the Jumpman doesn't really bother me as long as they don't include the " A I R " underneath it like all the retro III's.

No release date at this time.

Thank your favorite early release bandit Air Randy for the pictures.

Marcus Jordan at the Houston Kingwood Classic

4.19.08

THE WOODLANDS —

There was once a time when Marcus Jordan felt immense pressure when he stepped on the basketball floor. Considering that his father is a six-time NBA champion, that's understandable.

Now, as a 17-year-old junior, Michael Jordan's youngest son is busy establishing his own identity — as perhaps one of the top prep guard prospects in the class of 2009.

"There was pressure on me when I was in seventh and eighth grade because I thought that I had to be my dad," Marcus said. "Now that I've gotten older, I'm making my own name."

Marcus Jordan rockin' the number 5 in action at the Houston Kingwood Classic on Saturday.

Marcus, a 6-3, 180-pound guard from Whitney Young High School in Chicago, is playing in one of the premier basketball recruiting events in the nation, the 14th annual Houston Kingwood Classic. Here with his Amateur Athletic Union squad, the Rising Stars, while trying to make a positive impression on the hundreds of college coaches in attendance for the three-day event, which is headquartered at Legends Sports Complex.

Rising stock-

The event has 681 teams playing on 66 courts across the area in a 48-hour span. The 17-and-under platinum division will played its championship game at 3:15 p.m. at Legends.

Marcus, who isn't nationally ranked but was rated as one of the top 10 prospects in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com, thinks he has plenty to offer to Division I schools. He describes his game as "solid," and some recruiting analysts think he could emerge as a major college prospect.

"I want to get everyone involved but I score when there's an opportunity," Marcus said. "I just try to run the team."

Madison junior guard Tommy Mason-Griffin, whose AAU squad Houston Hoops defeated the Rising Stars on Friday night, had good things to say about Marcus.

"He's a pretty good player," Mason-Griffin said. "He's quick and he has a solid midrange game."

Not quite like Mike-

As he and his Rising Stars teammates played a Saturday morning game against the Alabama Challenge, his skills were on full display. At first glance, it isn't easy to tell he's Jordan's son. He has a goatee and headband as well as goggles and he dons the No. 5 on his jersey.
"I just go and play my game," he said. "I'm sure people look at me and say 'Oh, that's Michael Jordan's son,' but I don't even think about that. I just play."

He might not feel much pressure these days, but there always is a lot of attention focused on him.

"The attention is crazy," said John Hicks, who chaperones Marcus when he's traveling with the team.

Marcus said he's not sure who's actively recruiting him because his parents handle the recruiting process. But he does hope to continue playing basketball.

"I definitely want to play Division I basketball," he said.

Thank SAM KHAN of the Houston Chronicle for the story.

4/21/08

Jordan Brand All American Classic Player Exclusive XX3's

Saturday night was the Jordan Brand All American Classic tips at New York's Madison Square Garden. To celebrate the game, Jordan Brand has created special Player Edition Air Jordan XX3s personalized for each of the players in the game.

The "JBAAC East" Air Jordan XX3 features Black leather side panels, a White/Red MJ/Argyle print, a Red TPU midsole, a White Patent Leather toebox/tongue, the JBAAC logo on the tongue, and a personalized embroidered nickname hit at the ankle.

The "JBAAC East" Air Jordan XX3 PE in this post was created and personalized for Easy Ed, Ed Davis, a 6' 8" Power Forward heading to the University of North Carolina next year.

The "JBAAC PE" Air Jordan XX3 features a University Blue midsole and ankle, a Black Leather side panel featuring a University Blue and Silver MJ argyle print, and a White Patent toebox.

Each of the "JBAAC" XX3s features a personal embroidered nickname hit at the ankle. The PE in this post was personalized for "The Blessed1", Demar DeRozan, who will be heading to USC next season.

Thank KixandtheCity.com for the pics and info.

Air Jordan I Armed Forces Pack

Late next month, Jordan Brand is set to release a two sneaker tribute to James Ronald "Ronnie" Jordan. Ronnie Jordan, Michael Jordan's older brother, served 31 years in the Armed Forces, 1 more year than the required serving time as he chose to accompany his brigade through a 1 year tour of duty through Iraq.

Jordan, who stands about 5 feet 7 inches and is 48, rose to become command sergeant major of the 35th Signal Brigade, the Army's only airborne signal brigade, based at Fort Bragg. His rank is the top job for an enlisted signal soldier.

"Jordan may be short in height when it comes to his brother, but, man, he scored a slam dunk every time as a sergeant major," said Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Allen, the senior noncommissioned officer of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps.

To commemorate Ronnie Jordan's time of service, Jordan Brand created the Armed Forces Pack. As part of this pack, Jordan Brand is set to release two pairs of Air Jordan Retro 1s. The first "Armed Forces" Air Jordan Retro 1 features a Dark Brown Nubuck/Light Brown Pebbled Leather upper with a frayed Army Green Canvas swoosh. The color choice was selected to mirror the colors on a soldiers uniform.

To commemorate, Ronnie's rank, Jordan Brand placed an embroidered rank emblem at the outer heel of the sneaker. The rank emblem closely resembles the rank emblem Ronnie held but was slightly altered to respect the Armed Service and the soldiers that obtain the rank.

The "Armed Forces" Air Jordan Retro 1 is scheduled to release in late May in the States and has already released overseas.

Thank KixandtheCity and Fox News for the pics and info.

Maybe it's my fault...

The Jordan Brand continues the "BECOME LEGENDARY" campaign with another thought provoking commercial.

I can summarize this commercial best by quoting the man himself:

"Nothing of value comes without being earned"

4/17/08

APRIL 6, 1981

This might not seem like an important date in history, but I found something today that changed my mind.

This is the day that Mike got his first real taste of the spotlight.

This was an ad McDonalds ran in the April 6th, 1981 issue of the Sports Illustrated for the 1981 High School Basketball All-American Team which also featured Patrick Ewing and Chris Mullen.

For a young country boy from North Carolina this must of been a proud moment in his life.

Little did Mike, or anyone else know at the time, but this was very beginning of something huge, something gigantic, something larger then life.

Looking back over 27 years it's difficult to really understand this magnitude of Mike's impact on the world we live in.

Thanks for all the memories Mike!

Video of Mike Shattering a Backboard in a 1986 Nike Exhibition Game in Italy

Enjoy this ridiculous video from 1986 of Mike in Italy for a Nike Exhibition game.

This is maybe the illest glass shattering dunk I have ever seen in my life!

The poor guys under the backboard had no clue when the glass started coming down and just poured all over them!

Thats fucking embarassing.

Here's more footage from this game.

Summer of 1986 Nike exhibition game in Trieste Italy.

Bonus Videos:

Thank Youtube member "jpsp74" for the video and ISS member "BRich" for the heads up.

4/10/08

Air Jordan Fusion V Lo's " Is it the Shoes?

Not a big fan of these, Lo top Fusion V's, with the "Is it the Shoes?" print.

A cool idea but does not really look good as an all over print.

Release date sometime in May.

Thank HighSnobiety for the pics and info.

Mike's Aston Martin on Ebay?

Roaming Ebay I found a listing for one of Mike's old cars.

An ASTON MARTIN DB7 VANTAGE VOLANTE.

The seller claims "PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY THE GREATEST LIVING BASKETBALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME, THE CHICAGO BULLS LEGEND - NUMBER 23 - MICHAEL JORDAN... WITH FULL DOCUMENTATION! MR. JORDAN'S SIGNATURE IS PRESENT ON THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY CARD!

THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ONLY FOR ASTON MARTIN FANS BUT COULD BE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST AND RAREST MICHAEL JORDON COLLECTABLES OF ALL TIME. IMAGINE DRIVING THE SAME CAR THAT MICHAEL DROVE.

THIS EXCEPTIONAL VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON IT! "

If you got your paper right place a bid.

Starting bid: $58,000

http://www.motors.ebay.com

An Evening With Gentry Humphrey

Jordan Brand's Director of Footwear, Gentry Humphrey, is set to touchdown in NYC as part of the Jordan Brand All American Classic festivities.

Join Gentry Humphrey, Footwear Director for Jordan Brand, for an exclusive Q&A where he will speak to his journey in the footwear business, his experiences working with MJ, and his thoughts on the legacy of the brand and its future.

Wednesday, April 16th, 8-9pm

Hip Hop Culture Center

2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd, 2nd Floor

(Above the Magic Johnson Theatre)

Seating will be limited.

Tickets are complimentary, but required for admittance.

Tickets available while supplies last at the House of Hoops 268 W 125th St, beginning April 11th

Thank Kixandthecity.com for the info.

Michael Jordan Display Case from the Nike World Headquarters Michael Jordan Building

Story and pictures courtesy of KixandtheCity.com

While visiting Nike's campus for the Beijing Innovation Summit and the [Nike Hyperdunk Launch], KixandtheCity took a small tour of the Nike World Headquarters Campus.

As part of this tour, KATC made a stop in the Michael Jordan building. All of the building's on Nike's Campus are named in tribute to great Nike athletes including Bo Jackson, Tiger Woods, Bill Bowerman (athlete and founder), and of course, Michael Jordan.

Each of these buildings features a tribute to the athlete to which they are dedicated. The Michael Jordan Building (the Jordan Brand offices are NOT in the Michael Jordan Building for those wondering) features a display case with several MJ game worn pieces including his Jersey, Warm ups, shorts, and PE "Fire Red" Air Jordan V's.

Thank Kixandthecity.com for the info.

4/8/08

Air Jordan Olympic VI's

What could be more ridiculous then this bike?

A pair of Air Jordan VI's to match.

That's right guys, Jordan Brand is dropping a pair of white Air Jordan VI's in the Olympic ring colors.

The release date is scheduled for June 7th.

Air Jordan III "Black Cement" Fusion

Here's an early look at the AJ III Black Cement Fusions.

I personally am not a fan of the AF1 Supreme soles, but compared to the $500 and up price tag on the 2001 retros, this may be a good alternative to everyone looking to get there feet in a fresh pair of Black Cement III's, no release date yet.

Thank Sneakerfiles for the picture.

4/3/08

Air Jordan Six Rings Black and Red's

Story and info via Nicekicks.com

Just a few days ago we gave you a peek at the Air Jordan Six Rings. The pair we posted were samples, but with several elements not present. The first thing that we noticed that was missing was the Air Jordan 6 heel loop as well as the Air Jordan 8 Velcro strap on the side of the shoe.

Though many Jordan fan’s opinions are divided about this shoe (like with the Dub Zeros and Spizikes), we are confident that more will like the pair pictured to the right in Black/Red. We said in the initial look at the Air Jordan Six Rings, this shoe is a hybrid of the 6 Air Jordans that Mike wore for the seasons he won an NBA Championship, but with the second look we saw that Jordan Brand did recognize and honor the Air Jordan 14 on this shoe as well for a total of 7 kicks represented. Elements that we can see are listed below:

Air Jordan 6 - Lacelock on laces, heel loop
Air Jordan 7 - Huarache style inner sock
Air Jordan 8 - Fuzzy tongue logo, Velcro strap
Air Jordan 11 - Silhouette of upper
Air Jordan 12 - “T W O 3″ on tongue, metal lace loops at top
Air Jordan 13 - Outsole
Air Jordan 14 - Jumpman at bottom of tongue near the toe

Hare Jordan Count Down VII's

What's Up Doc?

New pictures of the Count Down Pack Hare Jordan VII's, Thats Whats Up!

Start saving your money now... The VII/XVI Count Down Package is a must have!

Thank KixandtheCity.com for the pictures.

4/2/08

Black Cement III Football Cleats

Peep these dope Black Cement III football cleats.

Not sure when the exact release date is, but this makes me wanna dust off the shoulder pads get back on the football field.

Thank ISS Member "BlakeNC" and "Fear23" for the pics.

Respect the Architects: Tinker Hatfield

Tinker Hatfield.

The man resonsible for my obsession with Nike sneakers.

If you don't know who Tinker Hatfield is then check out this short but very dope documentary called "Respect the Architects", travel with Tinker to Paris as he reveals a piece of architectual inspriation that led to something amazing.

In addition to the many dope Nike sneakers he designed such as the Cross Trainers and all the Air Max, Tinker is best known for his design work on the Air Jordan line from Nike.

Starting with the ground breaking mid-top Air Jordan III all the way to the Air Jordan XVI's. Tinker rejoined the mix for 2 more Air Jordans, the XX's and XXIII's.

Enjoy these illustrations of Tinker Hatfields original patent submissons including the Air Jordan IV - XVI's and even the Nike's Michael J. Fox wore in Back to the Future II.