Jordan IX

It was the dawning of MJ not being on the basketball court—certainly an odd sight for all, and yet Tinker Hatfield believed so deeply in the Air Jordan line that he pushed for its release regardless. The IX featured a sleek upper with a lateral forefoot support story. Along the outsole, it will be Mark Smith’s graphic patterning that the IX is most remembered for – that and it being the shoe worn by Michael Jordan on the famous statue, front and center, outside of the United Center. If you disregard the fact he never actually wore the shoe in a Bulls uniform, the IX really was a great shoe rooted in support, fit and the global celebration of basketball.