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October 11, 2008 11:15:29 PM CDT

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Air Jordan Turns 23

Posted Jan 9, 08 6:06 PM CST in Sports,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Basketball's most iconic shoe turns 23 this year, a number any sports lover worth his Air Jordans knows means a little something extra—and Nike isn't missing the significance, the Chicago Tribune reports. Neither Nike nor Jordan—who wore No. 23—will squelch rumors that this is the final incarnation of the shoe, which debuted in 1985 and was initially banned by the NBA for violating design rules; Nike picked up Jordan's $5,000 per-game fine.

Mass hysteria ensued: Air Jordans were released on weekends so kids wouldn't skip school; people were robbed and killed for their shoes; and $100 sneakers became a less mind-blowing concept. Nike will release $230 limited-edition XX3 versions to 23 retailers this month, with a national launch of the sleek $185 shoe hitting stores in February. Both will be constructed out of eco-friendly materials, a first for its basketball shoes.

Source Chicago Tribune

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Michael Jordan watched as Illinois played Arizona State in the second half of a first round game in the EA Sports Maui Invitational college basketball tournament in Lahaina, Hawaii, Tuesday, Nov. 20,...   (Associated Press)
In a photo released by Nike Inc., the Air Jordan XX3, one of three versions to be released in the coming months, is shown. The Air Jordan XX3 will be released in three hyped-up rounds from January to...   (Associated Press)
In a photo released by Nike Inc., Michael Jordan poses with the new Air Jordan XX3 basketball shoe. The Air Jordan XX3 will be released in three hyped-up rounds from January to February, starting with...   (Associated Press)
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Michael Jordan, Tinker Hatfield - Air Jordan XX3   (liquidrice (YouTube))

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basketball  • NBA  • sports memorabilia  • shoes  • Michael Jordan


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