The Air Jordan 11 – A milestone in sports and fashion history

“I’m back”, were the words that got basketball fans around the world excited in March 1995 as Michael Jordan announced his comeback to the NBA. After retiring from the Bulls in 1993 and an interlude in Minor League Baseball Michael figured that he still had something to give to the ball game.

MJ came back towards the end of the 1994/95 regular season and played his first games in the Air Jordan X. The Bulls made the playoffs and had no problems with Bostons Celtics in the first round. Expectations were high when they faced the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. The Florida based franchise had a young and talented line-up including the two All-Stars Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway. For the highly anticipated series Michael Jordan had something special to offer. He showed up in brand new shoes:

The Air Jordan XI.

Jordan and designer legend Tinker Hatfield surprised everybody when the Bulls superstar entered the court with a shoe that was so radically different from anything you had ever seen before. Patent leather. On an athletic shoe. The radical difference made the “Concord” colorway with its mostly white upper and the innovative 360 degrees patent leather an instant classic. Needless to say, it was not in line with the NBA game apparel regulations which lead to a $5,000 fine.

In the final seconds of Game 1 Nick Anderson had his shining moment in the league. He stole the ball from Michael Jordan and a fast break followed that put the Magic up by one with 5.9 seconds left. In a cocky interview after the game Anderson said: “No. 45 doesn’t explode like No. 23 used to”, referring to Jordan’s new jersey number. After his comeback Jordan was wearing number 45 instead of his signature 23 because the Bulls already had retired his number the year before.

Michael could not accept that kind of insult and so in Game 2 he shocked the crowd by wearing his original number 23 to proof that he could still live up to his earlier success. Once again, the NBA was not amused with the quick number change within the playoffs and fined the Bulls $25,000. The fans didn’t care though. They finally had their #23 back.

Jordan’s performances improved in the following games but he could not prevent the Magic from winning the series and moving on to the Conference Ffinals. In Game 4 MJ played in a new colorway of the Air Jordan XI which is now known as the “Space Jam” because he also wore it the famous movie with the Looney Tunes cartoon characters. Even though the Bulls did not win the championship in 1995 fans will always associate Michael Jordan’s comeback season with the Air Jordan XI in its original colorways and the change of his jersey number back to 23.

 

The following season saw unprecedented success for the Bulls. Jordan was playing in his 11s and lead the team to a 72-10 record at the end of the regular season – a figure that has never been reached by any other team. The Golden State Warriors might have a chance to beat that number but we’ll have to wait and see. At the All-star game in February 1996, he played in a new colorway of the AJ XI (Columbia Blue) with a mostly white upper and translucent blue outsole. He became the All-Star MVP in these shoes scoring 20 points, hitting 8 of his 11 shots. In the playoffs he wore another new colorway of his eleventh signature shoe. MJ went back to the original “Bred”: Black/True Red and White where the colors that carried Jordan to old success as he brought back the championship to Chicago in 1996. Game 6, which sealed the deal for the Bulls, happened to be played on Father’s Day. As it was Jordan’s first championship after his dad’s murder in 1993, Michael Jordan reacted very emotional to the win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ7pR87sfV0

To sum things up, in his Air Jordan 11 basketball shoes Michael played his comeback season, and won the first championship of his second threepeat. Thus, the Air Jordan 11 has a significant role in sports (shoe) history. But what did the fans think about the shoe?

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Air Jordan 11 – Original releases

1995

Air Jordan Original 11, Concords White – Black – Dark Concord (worn in the 1995 Eastern Conference semi-finals)

1996

Air Jordan Original 11, Columbia White – Columbia Blue – Black (worn in the 1995 All-star Game)

Air Jordan Original 11, Black – True Red – White (MJ won the 1996 NBA Championship in these shoes)

Air Jordan Original 11, Black – Dark Grey – True Red I.E. Low (worn only a couple of time in the 1996 Playoffs)

 

Air Jordan Original 11, White – Light Grey – Cobalt I.E. Low

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Retro Releases

Numerous retro releases show the unbroken hype about this sneaker. For years, it has been a lifestyle shoe. Celebrities have been wearing the shoe on the red carpet and fans love to combine it to their streetwear outfit. The combination of sports shoe aesthetics with high fashion patent leather resulted in a unique mix. Therefore, some Jordan fanatics even wear their Js on their wedding day. Jimmy Butler took it to a whole new level when the Bulls were invited to The White House this year. He showed up in his baby-blue 11s to the exclusive tour of the President’s mansion. As you can see the Air Jordan XI is not just a basketball shoe, it is a fashion statement. Look at the pictures below to see how celebrities and people like you and me wear the XI on feet.

 

 

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List of Retro Releases

Here is a list of all retro releases for all collectors, fans and fashion lovers

2000
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Space Jam Black – Varsity Royal – White
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Concords White – Black – Dark Concord

2001
Air Jordan 11 Retro, All-stars White – Columbia Blue – Black
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Black – Varsity Red – White
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Cool Greys Medium Grey – White – Cool Grey
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Low White – Varsity Red
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Low White – Columbia Blue
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Low White – Light Zen Grey
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Low Snake Skin White – Black – Navy
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Low Womens White – Citrus
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Low Womens White – Metallic Silver
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Low Womens Snake Skin White – Black – Pink
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Low Youth (GS) Low White – Hot Pink

2003
Air Jordan 11 Retro, IE Low Black – Varsity Red – Dark Charcoal
Air Jordan 11 Retro, IE Low White – Cobalt – Zen Grey

2006
Air Jordan 11 Retro, DMP Defining Moments White – Metallic Gold – Black

2007
Air Jordan 11 Retro, IE Low Silver – Zest – White
Air Jordan 11 Retro, IE Low Black – Zest – White
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Womens IE Low Black – Metallic Gold
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Youth IE Low White – Metallic Gold
Air Jordan 11 Retro, IE Low White – Varsity Maize – Azure
Air Jordan 11 Retro, IE Low White – Zest – Argon Blue
Air Jordan 11 Retro, IE Low  Argon Blue – Zest – White

2008
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Retro Black – True Red – White Countdown Pack

2009
Air Jordan 11 Retro, “Space Jam” Black / Varsity Royal – White

2010
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Medium Grey / White – Cool Grey

2011
Air Jordan 11 Retro, White / Dark Concord – Black

2012
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Black / Varsity Red-White

2013
Air Jordan 11 Retro, Black /Gamma Blue – Varsity Maize

2014
Air Jordan 11 Retro, White – Legend Blue

2015
Air Jordan 11 Retro, “72-10” Black / Gym Red – White – Anthracite

 

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