Michael Jordan played the game of basketball like a panther in the mind of designer, Tinker Hatfield. MJ’s close friends also referred to him as the “Black Cat.” Jordan would read his opponents and then strike like a panther. The cat and panther inspiration are a big part of the Air Jordan 13’s design.
The Design Of The 13
The sole of the Air Jordan 13 has a strong resemblance to a panther’s paw. Near the heel of the 13 is a circle hologram. Five models of the 13 were originally released between 1997 and 1998. Two low models were additionally released. The Air Jordan 13 would first be made available as a retro in 2004-2005.
Last Dance
The Air Jordan 13 is the last shoe MJ wore for a complete season with the Chicago Bulls. He would wear the 14 briefly in the NBA Finals and would later return to play for the Washington Wizards, but the 13 was the last shoe he would lace up for a season with the Bulls. In many ways, the 13 represents the end of an era.
The Impact
The 13’s cultural relevance was cemented by its appearance in Spike Lee’s He Got Game. The iconic film starred Denzel Washington and Ray Allen. Washington’s character has a memorable scene where he purchases the sneaker and then wears it for most of the film. Many consider the Air Jordan 1-13 to be the ones that are most vital to the line, largely because of MJ’s career protectory. The 13 holds a special place in the franchise’s singular legacy.
The Birth Of Jordan Brand
In 1997, Jordan Brand and Nike decided to let the Air Jordan line operate 100% independently. It was a bold decision that showed the strong belief Nike had in the brand. The decision was probably heavily influenced by the fact that at the time it was widely believed that the ‘97-98 basketball season would be Michael Jordan’s last. Nike had to do something gigantic to let it be known to the consumer that the Jumpman logo was not going away and that it was here to stay.
On Its Own
Jordan Brand was more than accepting and understanding of the fact that it was built on the back of the most beloved athlete in history. To survive separately from Nike, they would need talent from the sports world to endorse their company’s products.
First Group Of Jordan Brand
The first group of athletes to join Jordan Brand included basketball stars Vin Baker, Eddie Jones, Derek Anderson, Michael Finley, and Ray Allen. At the time all of those players were young stars with bright futures ahead of them in the NBA. They all had a strong competitive nature and skills sets that were electrifying to watch. The youthful group also personified elegance—on and off the court. That collection of players, known as the “Class of 1997,” were the embodiment of what the Air Jordan name stood for.
- Adam C. Better
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