Believe it or not, Michael Jordan actually has a favourite pair of Air Jordan sneakers. And the pick might actually surprise you.
Those of us who love Air Jordans will undoubtedly have our darlings within that iconic line. If you’re reading this now, it’s probably because you’re one of us – the fans, the loyal ones. The reasons for how you’d rank your favourite Jays vary, and they really could be anything from the particular styling and shape of the silhouette to the number of available colourways to pure sentiment (perhaps a shoe that MJ wore during his playing career in a particular year that has some significance to you). For example, I recently attended a friend’s wedding, and he tied the knot in a stunning pair of Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG PS Black/White. How can those not now forever rank No. 1 on his all-time great Jordan kicks list?
The one question many people have forgotten to ask relates to His Airness himself. Does Michael Jordan have a list of favourite Air Jordan sneakers? Indeed, if anyone knows what goes into an incredible AJ silhouette, it should be the main man. And, if we know what he knows, we may be swayed and persuaded to rethink our lists. Well, MJ was interviewed by NBA 2K and asked what his favourite Air Jordans were. Granted, the interview took place back in 2014, but still, it’s good to have a glimpse into the mind of the man who made all this possible.
We don’t know how hard the interviewer pushed Michael to get specific about the reasons for his four choices (which we’ll list next). Still, we would have loved to know more details about his favourite colourways, collaborations and even which Air Jordans surprised him most. Sadly, we may never know unless somebody gets the Black Cat to divulge more. If not that, we can get deep into the weeds and parse out other things he’s said over the years or comments he made when particular colourways were released. And we get it. When asked, he did say it was a complex list to put together:
“That’s hard, you know? Because, you know, it’s like saying ‘which one of your kids do you like the most?’. 11s are my favourite, 3s are my next favorite, and probably 12 or 13 comes in third.”
And there we have it. Talk about leaving us wanting more.
So, in Michael Jordan’s order, here are the best Air Jordan sneakers out there… as of 2014. Maybe he’s changed his mind. Who knows?
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3. Air Jordan 12 (tied)
Michael Jordan wore the black and white Air Jordan 12 “Playoffs” during some of his most memorable moments in the 1996-1997 NBA season. This was the year he hit the game-winning shot in the first game of the Finals and had a crazy 39-point performance that earned the Bulls another banner in the rafters. There’s no questioning that these shoes are a legendary part of Jordan’s story, and it’s no surprise that he has them on his list.
The shoes are made of soft leather and have a message embroidered on the back: “Quality Inspired By The Greatest Player Ever.” Though the first 12s initially came out in black and white, their inspiration was the red-and-white Japanese flag. A red version was released in 1997, followed by additional colourways in 2003, 2009 and 2016.
The shoe had a soft, high-quality leather or nubuck upper, which made it look expensive and refined. The most unique part was the design around the laces, which looked like the clasps on a corset. This design helped hold the shoe together and made it look neat. It also still had all the best technology for real court play, like special cushioning and a strong plate in the sole for firm support.
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3. Air Jordan 13 (tied)
The Air Jordan 13 was initially released in 1997 and had seven beautiful colourways from which sneakerheads could choose. This shoe was unique because it came out during Michael Jordan’s last season with the Bulls. This was the one where they won the championship a record sixth time, making it Jordan’s sixth Finals MVP, and the second time he had won three championships in a row (three-peat).
The design of the 13 was inspired by black cats, known by both their lovers and haters for being sneaky and super-fast, just like Michael Jordan was on the court. MJ was known as ‘Black Cat’, reportedly from as far back as his high school days. The most interesting part was a holographic image of a panther’s eye on the shoe, making it look mysterious and powerful. But these shoes went beyond looks. They were made with the understanding that they needed to perform at the highest level and help athletes play their best. For example, the 13s had unique features like hidden laces for a good fit, plus a special plate in the sole for extra support.
2. Air Jordan 3
On this one, I admit my personal bias and strongly salute MJ because, as I wrote here, the Air Jordan 3s are my favourites. How awesome it is to know that I’m close to His Airness when it comes to Jordan sneaker taste. Indeed, the Air Jordan 3 is a legendary shoe for many reasons. It was the first AJ designed by Tinker Hatfield, who was starting his career with Jordan Brand and went on to become a significant force in the company. When creating the shoe, Hatfield and Jordan talked about what MJ wanted, and Michael specifically mentioned that he wished for a lighter and sleeker shoe compared to the first two Air Jordans.
True to those wishes, the sneaker had a few features entirely new for basketball shoes, leading sneaker fans to fall in love with it. First, it was a mid-top shoe, which covered more of the ankle than previous Jordans. This greatly aided performance on the court. Second, it was the first shoe in the Jordan line to feature the now-famous Jumpman logo on the tongue. Can any of you imagine Jordans without the Jumpman? Finally, the Air Jordan 3 introduced two iconic design elements: the elephant print and the visible air unit in the sole. These features helped solidify the Air Jordan brand’s unique identity and remain popular today.
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1. Air Jordan 11
It may not be your fave as a Jordan fan, but you’ve got to admit it’s hard to find anything to dislike or fault about the Air Jordan 11. During MJ’s interview with NBA 2K, he didn’t hesitate to give the shoe his number one spot. There were no ums, ahs or close ties here. It was clear: “11s are my favourite”.
Visually, the Air Jordan 11s might look different from other Jordans. It doesn’t have the same design as some earlier models and has a shiny, patent leather upper instead of regular leather. The shiny mudguard around the toes is classy, reminiscent of a dress shoe, while the outsole is clear with a slightly see-through tint. The gold Jumpman logo is shiny and stylish, reminding everyone that these shoes were made for champions. This is the sneaker Jordan wore during the 1995-1996 season, where once again, Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won a chip as he began his romp to a second three-peat.
For many fans, this shoe takes us back to a year when we witnessed incredible innovation and a crossover between sports and movies. The Air Jordan 11s were featured in the movie “Space Jam,” where Jordan teamed up with Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes. The shoes became even more famous after the movie and started representing more than just sports. We can’t argue with Michael Jordan having this iconic silhouette at the top of this list.
What do you think of Michael Jordan’s list of his favourite Air Jordan sneakers? Do you wish the interviewer had pressed him for more details about why he chose these particular ones?
