Look familiar? Jordan Brand is launching an Air Jordan 1 Mid that is alarmingly similar to the recently launched Nike Kobe 5 “X-Ray”. Truth is, all of the greats willingly play through pain, but these in particular remember the one injury that sidelined the GOAT for nearly an entire season.
In October of 1985, just days into his second season in the NBA, Michael Jordan broke the navicular bone in his left foot. This would cause him to miss nearly the entire campaign, returning just for the final fifteen games of the regular season with severe minutes restrictions. The Bulls still made the NBA Playoffs, and despite losing in the first round, Michael Jordan gave the eventual champions a mind-boggling 63-point performance, which drew praise from the great Larry Bird who famously said “I think it’s just God disguised as Michael Jordan.”
Ostensibly inspired by Michael Jordan’s foot injury in 1986, this Air Jordan 1 Mid features images of a foot x-ray laid onto the toe-box, mid-foot, and ankle collar of the sneaker. Images of a foot skeleton appears on the outsole through the translucent bottoms and again on the insole above “Even the best get hurt” messaging.
Alternating bright crimson tongue labels, an enlarged 23 on the ankle, and black leather on the toe-guard, ankle collar, and heel complete the look.
Although a release date has not yet been revealed, this Air Jordan 1 Mid — a kids exclusive release — could drop this Holiday 2024 season. If so, these will certainly be atop many holiday wish lists.
