Why is Air Jordan 11 Michael Jordan's Favorite? Sneaker history explored
The Air Jordan 11 is one of the most iconic and beloved sneakers in the history of basketball and fashion. It is also the personal favorite of Michael Jordan, the greatest player of all time and the face of the Jumpman brand. The eleventh signature silhouette is Michael Jordan's favorite shoe because it combines style and performance.
He wanted a shoe that he could wear with a tuxedo, so he asked for patent leather on the upper. He also loved the comfort and stability of the full-length carbon-fiber plate and Nike Air cushioning. Therefore, the eleventh silhouette came into existence. The shoe represents the legend’s greatness and elegance.
More about the legacy, history, and design of the Air Jordan 11
The Air Jordan 11 was designed by Tinker Hatfield, who also created many other Jordan models, such as the 3, 4, and 5. The 11 was a radical departure from the previous models, as it featured a shiny patent leather upper that wrapped around the shoe. The patent leather also added durability and support to the shoe, making it suitable for basketball.
The silhouette also had a full-length carbon-fiber plate and full-length Nike Air cushioning, which provided stability and comfort. The shoe had a sleek and futuristic look, with a mesh upper, a translucent outsole, and a Jumpman logo on the heel. The shoe came in different colorways, such as "Concord", "Bred", "Space Jam", and "Cool Grey".
The Air Jordan 11 has a fascinating story behind it, as it was designed when Michael Jordan was about to retire from basketball in 1993. Hatfield started working on the shoe without knowing if Jordan would ever wear it on the court.
However, Jordan decided to come back to the NBA in 1995, and he was so impressed by the prototype of the 11 that he wore it for the entire regular season of 1995–96. This was against Nike's wishes, as they wanted him to wear different colorways of the shoe throughout the season.
The 1995–96 season was one of the best seasons ever for Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Jordan won his fourth NBA championship, his fourth Finals MVP, his eighth scoring title, his third All-Star MVP, and his fourth regular-season MVP. He also led the Bulls to a record-breaking 72-10 regular-season record, which was the best in NBA history at the time. The Air Jordan 11 became synonymous with Jordan's greatness and dominance on the court.
The Air Jordan 11 is widely regarded as one of the best sneakers of all time, both for its performance and its style. It is also one of the best-selling Nike shoes ever, and it generates huge hype and demand every time it is re-released.
The shoe has been worn by many celebrities, athletes, and influencers over the years, such as Drake, LeBron James, Justin Timberlake, and Barack Obama.
The Air Jordan 11 is more than just a shoe; it is a symbol of excellence, elegance, and innovation. It is Michael Jordan's favorite shoe because it reflects his personality and achievements. It is also a shoe that millions of fans around the world love and admire. The AJ 11 is a sneaker legend that will never go out of style.
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