Michael Jordan Basketball Shoes

The connection between professional basketball and basketball shoes runs far deeper than in other major sports. Basketball shoes function as the representation of the NBA's biggest stars, and also provide fans with the opportunity to wear the very same shoes worn by basketball heroes. It's no surprise that the most popular and talented basketball player of all time has a shoe that also qualifies as legendary: the Nike Air Jordan basketball shoe. Michael Jordan basketball shoes are as serious as his dedication to the game, and the popularity of the Air Jordan shoes are a testament both to the man and the quality of the sneaker itself.

Michael Jordan basketball shoes first emerged on the market in 1985, to great interest. Considered a bold new development at the time, the first model of Michael Jordan basketball shoes, Nike Air Jordan shoes, truly took off when the NBA outlawed their wear during professional games, claiming that the bold black-and-red color scheme was too outrageous. Jordan, encouraged (and funded) by Nike, continued to wear the Air Jordan basketball shoes anyway, and a legend was born. With a new design and model released every year, Michael Jordan basketball shoes continued to push the envelope with as much daring and style as His Airness himself was doing to the game of basketball.

Buying Michael Jordan basketball shoes is not necessarily as simple as a quick trip to the mall. After all, with models of Michael Jordan basketball shoes dating back to 1985, the prospective collector must ask himself or herself exactly what look he or she desires. Some collectors prefer to chase the rarest and most unique Air Jordan retro shoes, backdated sneakers in obscure color schemes and styles. For these collectors, the important thing is to have a pair of Air Jordan shoes that no one else in the world has.

For enthusiasts of Michael Jordan basketball shoes, the importance is that they always have the new Jordan shoes, the cutting edge of the sneaker world. Many people pursue a specific style and color scheme of Michael Jordan basketball shoes to match an outfit or a favorite team. For whatever reason, the important thing is that the aspiring collector of Michael Jordan basketball shoes take the time and effort to research that perfect pair of Air Jordans. That perfect pair, however, may vary wildly in cost depending on the year and availability. For a brand-new, current year pair, one could expect to pay in the low $100 range, but for retro, hard-to-find, or custom pairs, the sky is the limit.

Websites such as hoopsvibe.com, with their year-by-year breakdown of the Michael Jordan basketball shoes product line, are an invaluable asset. Once the perfect pair has been chosen, visit the Nike website or any number of sneaker specialists on the web. Though a pair of Michael Jordan basketball shoes can occasionally cost a bit more than a normal pair of sneakers, as all true enthusiasts know, Air Jordans are more than just shoes, and the reward of owning a unique and amazing pair of Jordans is an invaluable feeling.


Sources:
Air Jordan. HoopsVibe. 2002-2006. 26 March 2007. http://www.hoopsvibe.com/basketball-shoes/air-jord an/index193.html.
Jumpman 23. Nike. 2007. 26 March 2007. http://www.nike.com/jumpman23/home/index.jsp
Jordan. Nike Store. 2007. Nike, Inc. 26 March 2007. http://www.nike.com/index.jhtml?l=nikestore,jordan