What's going on y'all? Today is my 30th birthday, and since it's special for me I'm going to make it special for you by posting my favorite shoe in my collection. Presenting the Air Jordan XI Retro "Concords"!!! Now I know what you're thinking, "Kyle aren't the XI breds your favorite, or even the Space Jams?" I have to say they're both classics, but the Concords have always had a special place in my heart. I was lucky enough to cop these with a little help/luck from my friend who happened to be in SF that day, and helped me secure a wrist band at Niketown in order for me to buy a pair. The experience and excitement was nothing I've felt before. There were so many pairs that they allowed you to HANDPICK your pair with the folks working there; it felt like a dream. Now when you see a pair of the Concords, you cannot help but think formal style with a sporty twist. You see the glimmer off the shiny black patent leather, you see the contrast of the pure white upper and don't forget the ice on the bottoms. Simply hands-down one of the best colorways I've seen on a shoe, and quite simply basketball shoe perfection. Please check out the pics below, and please see at the bottom of this post as to how I'm "connected" to Michael himself.
The lineup.
Group photo.
So much ice it's not even funny.
"23".
The patent leather on these are simply perfect.
Classic stitched Jumpman.
Give me that side profile baby!
The contrast on these shoes is ridiculous.
Purple pods.
Small debut, but lasting influence
Michael debuted the Concords during the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals against the Orlando Magic, and it was only for a short while. Since the Concords were not in the team colorway, Michael was fined $5K per game for wearing them as they violated the NBA's uniform policy. Shortly after that, he was seen wearing the Space Jams in the same series. He did eventually rock the Concords again during the next season. Check out the kicks and Michael in action below!
Attacking the rim.
Playing D against Penny Hardaway during the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals.
Showing Grant Hill how it's done.
How can you not love the pinstripes?
Giving them that reverse.
Banging.
Doing work.
Amazing shot of Michael doing his thing.
My connection to Michael
Now I'll be honest, I've never met Michael, but I believe I'm connected to him and his game.
On the day I was born on October 26th, 1984, Michael made his NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls against the Washington Bullets. He scored 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in a 109-93 victory. Although he didn't score 30+ points that night, everyone could see that Michael could be a special player someday. That year he went off for 7 games of 40 or more points, giving the city of Chicago something to look forward to in the future. So like I said, me and Michael will forever be connected, and so on my birthday I always salute one of the best players to ever play the game I love. Check out his highlights below from that game. Much love y'all, keep on coming back and checking out my posts!
A picture of Michael during his first game of his rookie season in 1984.
Picture of Michael during his rookie season in 1984.
What's going on shoeheads? I'm back and all settled in, so let's get back to the shoes!! May I present to you the Air Jordan Retro V "Grapes"! Now I know I covered the V's back in the Laneys post in August, but this colorway is too sweet to deny. My favorite color is purple, and when I saw these were coming back I definitely had to cop a pair. As always, I love a fat tongue on a shoe, and the turquoise lightning bolt will make any normal person break their neck when they see you walk by. They're sweet, simple, and definitely sparkle like a jewel in my collection.
They're so white they're gleaming.
Love the turquoise lightning bolt action.
Backside profile showing off all the accents.
Love the deep purple.
Ice so perfect it looks like actual water is glued to the bottom of these shoes.
Classic jumpman symbol stitched to the back of these classics.
Pop culture of the 90's
The Grapes colorway was released back in 1990, but unfortunately was never worn by Michael on the court due to the obvious colorway infraction. It did however, catch on as part of the pop culture movement of the 90's, most notably worn by Will Smith on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Funky as ever, Will rocked these on the show; I wonder how much they had to pay Nike to do this, or was it free advertising? Either way pretty cool to see "I Am Legend" in this fresh pair of kicks.
Don Cheadle and Will Smith on the set of Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Look at the colors...my goodness.
Will being Will haha.
Michael did wear the Grapes, but only for ads and endorsements.
Gotta eat those Wheaties!
Just to bring you back to the 90's for a little longer, I especially love this colorway because it reminds me of the Charlotte Hornets. Who could forget the likes of Muggsy Bogues, Larry "Grandmama" Johnson, and baby face Alonzo Mourning. Later that decade, they would also get Jamal Mashburn and Bay Area's favorite Baron Davis 3rd overall in the draft from UCLA. Check out the pics below to bring ya back.
Ridiculous Starter jacket from the 90's.
Original Charlotte Hornets logo.
Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, and Alonzo Mourning looking at my Grapes haha.
Mourning and Johnson looking lost.
Bogues warming up.
Bogues playing that D on Michael.
Baron Davis doing work.
So much raw talent.
Jamal Mashburn squaring up.
Small fact. Kobe Bryant was selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996, who was to be traded to the LA Lakers for Vlade Divac. The Hornets never intended to keep Bryant, but think what could've been if they did.
The future of the 2014 Charlotte Hornets: Kemba Walker, Al Jefferson, and Lance "whisper in my ear" Stephenson.
