One of the most anticipated periods in basketball and sneakers is undoubtedly All-Star Weekend (ASW). Every year 24 of the league’s best players face off in a gripping match. It also gives sneakerheads a chance to get their hands on some of the most exclusive sneakers of the year. Thankfully, it looks as though Nike and Jordan Brand have put their foot on the gas for this year’s drops.
As most sneakerheads will know before Michael Jordan laced up the Air Jordan 1, he was rocking the Nike Air Ship. It’s a shoe that His Airness laced up on the hardwood when he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. As we now know, the Air Jordan 1 became Jordan’s signature sneaker and kickstarted a long legacy. Nike has honoured this with the “New Beginnings” pack; a combination of the Air Ship and Air Jordan 1 in a matching red and white.
This isn’t the only Air Jordan 1 releasing for ASW, however, with Nike giving women their own exclusive UNC to Chicago. After the initial success of the patent UNC to CHI AJ1, the familiar colour scheme is coming back. The biggest difference from this to the men’s version is that it has a matte finish. A black leather upper is complemented through the use of Chicago Red and UNC Blue.
In keeping with the Chicago theme, Jordan Brand has dedicated an Air Jordan 3 to the Windy City. This will be the first time that ASW has been held in Chicago since 1988; the year that the AJ3 released. An all-red tumbled leather upper replaces the traditional black, making for an eye-catching sneaker. Fans lucky enough to be in Chicago will also be treated to a limited edition version that replaces ‘AIR’ on the heel tab with ‘CHI’.
The Air Jordan 9 will also be making return. Fans will be given the chance to cop a new colourway dubbed; Racer Blue. Iridescent panelling is offset against a black upper and midsole. Those who remember the Eggplant Foamposites should see some striking similarities on this Air Jordan 9. The use of reflective laces also helps these sneakers stand out.
If you’re looking to get your hands on these then you won’t have to wait long. The sneakers are expected to drop between February 14th-16th.
Image source: Nike
