This Sunday night the NBA All-Star Game is going to be played on one of the most revered courts in all of basketball, Madison Square Garden. Michael Jordan loved to play at the Garden. From dropping a double nickel on the Knicks to countless dunks, MJ loved playing in New York City. This year celebrates the 30 Anniversary of the Air Jordan franchise. To help commemorate the 30 years Jordan Brand is going to be releasing some of the hottest new gear that players like Chris Paul wear today and they are bringing back a few of the retro Air Jordan collections.
Player-Exclusive Footwear for All-Star Game
This Sunday, the game’s biggest names in basketball will go head-to-head in the annual showcase of the best players in the league. To celebrate the occasion, Jordan Brand will provide its participating athletes exclusive shoes.
A group of Jordan Brand family members will appear in the All-Star game as Carmelo Anthony makes his eighth appearance, Chris Paul his eighth, Russell Westbrook his fourth, and LaMarcus Aldridge his fourth. One of the newest members of the Jordan Brand family, Jimmy Butler, will make his first arrival under the bright lights this year.
Jordan Brand family will be well represented throughout the weekend, with Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo representing the U.S. as second-year players. Saturday night, Victor will #TakeFlight, showcasing his athleticism and leaping ability in the slam-dunk contest.
This year’s player-exclusive footwear draws inspiration from Jordan’s All-Star pinnacle performance collection, the Pearl Pack, and will feature touches of Infrared throughout the shoes, a color with a deep tradition within the Jordan Brand and the All-Star game.
Hare Jordan
Plus more than 23 years ago, a beautiful friendship began between one of basketball’s greatest athletes and one of television’s most beloved cartoon characters. Today, Jordan Brand, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, announces the return of the Hare Jordan campaign. As part of the 30th anniversary of the Air Jordan franchise, Jordan Brand and Warner Bros. Consumer Products will introduce Hare Jordan products starting in spring 2015.
“Michael Jordan continues to be the inspiration and reference for how we run the Jordan Brand today,” said Larry Miller, President of the Jordan Brand. “We draw inspiration not only from his unwavering commitment to greatness, but also the creative innovation he brought to the game of basketball. The Hare Jordan campaign was a whole new way to celebrate the fun of the game, and we look forward to working with our partners at Warner Bros. Consumer Products for a new take on this classic.”
The original Hare Jordan collection debuted in 1992 following Jordan’s first championship season. Jordan and Looney Tunes star Bugs Bunny first partnered for the iconic ad, which aired during the professional football championship game, to announce the original partnership between the two brands. The popularity of the campaign continued to grow over the years, culminating in a major motion picture starring Jordan, Bugs and their friends from the hardwood and the animated Looney Tunes universe.
Jordan Brand’s 166 Flatbush Pop-up Store Celebrates The Laser Design
Ten years ago, Jordan Brand introduced the Air Jordan XX. Like the Air Jordan shoes that preceded and have followed it, the XX pushed the envelope in performance and style. While features like Independent Podular Suspension pushed the shoe’s playability to a new level, its design also turned heads with its laser-etched graphic and ankle-strap upper, previously unseen in Jordan performance footwear models.
When the Jordan Brand team sought inspiration for this year’s All-Star Weekend product, the pearl — the gift commonly given to mark a 30th anniversary — and laser designs jumped out as inspiration to celebrate the milestone.
Jordan Brand will launch a three-shoe Laser Pack during NBA All-Star Weekend, paying homage to classic shoe silhouettes and timeless Michael Jordan moments. The Laser Pack includes the Air Jordan I, Air Jordan IV and Air Jordan XX. Each shoe features matching pearl-inspired coloring, laser-print uppers, icy outsoles and reflective details, paying tribute not only to the original laser products, but also the 30th anniversary the Jordan Brand will celebrate in New York City.
AIR JORDAN XX LASER
In 2004, Nike designer Tinker Hatfield had asked Jordan for new insights into his career and achievements, but Jordan kept coming up empty. One day, he told Hatfield, “I’m ready to talk,” and talk he did. The memories, stories, anecdotes and achievements flowed, inspiring Hatfield and fellow designer Mark Smith to create symbols that represented all of the moments that mattered to Jordan. Finding inspiration from cycling shoes and motorcycle tires, Hatfield created a shoe to celebrate the first 20 years of the Air Jordan franchise: the Air Jordan XX.
Ten years later, this timeless model returns with laser-etched lace covers and a laser aesthetic. Flush with an ankle strap and collar, the Air Jordan XX adds futuristic appeal to the collection while maintaining a historic look into the Jordan Brand’s DNA.
AIR JORDAN I LASER
Jordan Brand celebrates this seminal sneaker with a laser-engraved version, remaining faithful to its original version with remastered premium materials. The Air Jordan I Laser features white leather, laser-etched to commemorate the last three decades of Jordan and his shoes.
AIR JORDAN IV LASER
A throwback to the early- to mid-2000s, the Air Jordan IV Laser returns with a premium white upper, tonal leather overlays and intricate laser-etched touches. Reflective 3M detailing on the tongue and ice outsole bring a modern-day look to Jordan’s fourth on-court performance shoe.