Michael Jordan was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame on 9/11/09 marking yet another major achievement in the life and career of arguably the greatest basketball player to ever play the game.  This 2009 class of inductees was also one of the more illustrious in years with the likes of David Robinson, Jerry Sloan, John Stockton, and Vivian Stringer. Michael delivered a mostly impromptu speech reflecting on his basketball career and the family and friends who helped shape the Michael Jordan we know today.  It is easy to say that everyone inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame is considered a legend of the sport  however; very few honorees, if any, can match the impact Michael Jordan had on not only the game but society itself.

In honor of Michael Jordan’s induction in the Basketball Hall of Fame I thought it was be only fitting to discuss a pair of Air Jordan’s that I believe are  the greatest pair of basketball shoes to grace the court. The Jordan XI’s were introduced  in 1995 in a white and black color way. However, the black portion of the shoe was a new material to basketball shoes; Patent Leather! The idea behind the Jordan XI was to bring a little class to the court mimicking the lines and style of a Tuxedo.  They are the best example of style and on-court functionality that I feel no other Jordan shoe has yet to match.

I have two pairs of the Jordan XI and it looks there will be a fourth added to the collection in November! The Jordan XI “Space Jams” are being released in stores nationwide on 11/27/09. The “Space Jams” moniker came from Michael wearing them in the 1996 Warner Brother movie, Space Jam. They are primarily all black with of course black patent leather, clear sole bottom, and varsity royal blue accents. One aspect that brings distinction to the new “Space Jams” is the backwards Jumpman symbol on the heel panel of the shoe.  On the original release XI the Jumpman symbol is facing right to left away from the heel where as on the “Space Jams” the symbol is facing left to right towards the heel (just a little something to look out for).

Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball and his Jordan XI are arguably the greatest pair of Air Jordan’s ever produced! I strongly suggest you head to your local Foot Locker or Finish Line  in November and pick up a prized piece of basketball history!

Let me end with this question….what’s your favorite Air Jordan  or at least give me the top three AJ’s?

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