The Jordan brand collection of shoes can be described as the most incredible collection of shoes ever created, due in part to the player behind the shoes. Michael Jordan is viewed by many as the greatest basketball player ever. If people ever have so time to watch highlights of the man play, do it, it’s something like no other. I could only imagine what was like watching him live. Commercials were made about kids who wanted to be like him. Forget WWJD it’s “Be Like Mike” over here. Nevertheless, Jordan had a few pairs he played in which translated well off the court and the people love him for it. The timeless sort of classical feel stands the test of time. The plan is to rank them all, out of the 14 pairs he wore during playing time. A small breakdown of each shoe then tanking them based on style, looks, etc. Note this ranking is biased to what I like, and people have their opinions on their favorites. I’m not ranking in order of my favorite just what I like to wear, plus I’m going in order of what shoe was released first, it’s the Jordan 1 first through to the 14.
The style of ranking I’m choosing is the S-Tier style. This label for grading originated from Japan's schooling system. In Japan, some schools use a grading system and use the letter S instead of A+ to show the highest grade student can receive. It can be used in context meaning “special” or “superb”. The popularity has grown due to the Japanese developing video games using it to rank one's gameplay. This has borrowed it to today's culture, with plenty of using S-Tier as a sign of excellent above A’s, also you can see on YouTube constantly people making a tier list about anything and everything. So I think it’s mine turn to give ya’ll my opinion, and if you don’t like it, who cares you know. Nah, you are more than welcome to voice your opinion in the comment section below or I’ll put this tier list link below and you can tell how would rank them.
Jordan 1
1985 Peter Moore the sneaker designer the Jordan 1 designed it for Michael Jordan to wear. The shoe became more iconic, especially in the way Jordan play basketball and can be seen flying in the air and people wanted to feel that way. Modern tech in sneakers makes the shoe out date for performance but a staple in the culture of streetwear and has become mainstream, mostly people can be seen wearing the shoe off the court for fashion style purposes. This shoe is S-Tier ranking based on style only but the history behind makes it even better.
Jordan 2
Created in 1986 at the time Nike viewed the shoe as a revolutionary and luxury performance model than the Jordan 1. The people didn’t take it that way and it shows the sale for Nike. The 2’s aren’t well received in the sneaker culture but it remands in sneaker history nevertheless. Personally not a fan of the shoes myself and plan on putting it high on my list. D is the best I can do without disrespecting the shoe or someone's preference and love for the shoe, I’m just not a fan and I’m certainly not the only one. Michael probably had a distaste for the shoe, suddenly he had second thoughts about signing that contract with Nike. Originally he was an Adidas guy fan of the company but his thoughts changed about Nike once we got the release of the...
Jordan 3
One of the most popular if not the most popular shoes in Jordan Brand. Sneaker Designer by Tinker Hatfield helped shape Jordan as we know it. Iconic designs like the Jumpman logo and elephant print with visible air units. Fun Fact: Every Nike product that has “Air” in the product (sneakers) has air inside of them, even the ones you can’t see physically, and Tinker borrows that out in the Jordan for people to see and it makes people want it more. Michael Joran seem like he loved because of the many accomplished he was able to achieve playing basketball during that season of 1988:
NBA All-Star Game Appearance NBA All-Star Game MVP NBA Slam-Dunk Contest Title NBA Steal Champion NBA Scoring Champion NBA Defensive Player of the Year NBA Most Valuable Player |
Personally, the shoe well deserved to be high on my list of Jordans, a lot of people and I do mean a lot of people would say it belongs on the S-tier level but a lot of the colorways of the Jordan 3 I’m not a fan of. So out of that respect, it put on at A because it deserves to be on that high level, it’s not on my favorites. I just got more love for this next shoe.
Jordan 4
Designed by Tinker the shoe was released in 1989. During that season's playoffs, Jordan hits “The Shot” over Craig Ehlo, the game-winning shot in Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 4’s took the brand to all-new highs in media and pop culture. In Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing the shoe is mentioned in a scene of the movie which took the shoe beyond the game of basketball. The shoe is personally my favorite pair of sneakers to wear. I’m wearing a pair right while writing this blog. Nevertheless, theirs no question where this shoe going to be placed on my tier list, it’s an S-tier.
 Jordan hits "The Shot" over Craig Ehlo |  |
Jordan 5
Created in 1990 Jordan 5 really does not have as many memorable moments on the court but is more of an attraction off the court. A musician and now actor Will Smith would be working on a TV show named the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Naturally, as he was the Fresh Prince his West Philadelphia roots played a key part in his style and outfits. Many of his fits fit outside the normal and fit right in with the culture he was in and youth love the style. One of his iconic looks can be seen wearing some outfit that has the Jordan 5s on but with no laces. The formula was outside of the norm but people ate it up. Personally, I’m a fan of Will Smith especially coming from where I’m from his style at the time is something you can relate with. A-tier for sure a shoe I wouldn’t personally wear often but it’s due for its respect.
Jordan 6
1991 Jordan was designed by now legendary status sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield. Jordan won his first NBA Champion that year in those and it made the shoes go global. Photos were discovered later that during the 1992 Batman Returns the actor Michael Keaton wore custom sneaker-style boots made from the Jordan 6. A-tier for me .
 Batman Returns 1992 shoe (Middle), Jordan first Champion (Right) |  |  |
Jordan 7
1992 came around with Jordan's second NBA Champion, he goes to the Olympics to form the Dream Team of NBA Basketball representing the USA and winning a Gold Medal. That’s not only the team he would do, an few commercials saw Jordan and Bugs Bunny together and the creation of the Hare 7 colorway. But that won’t be the only time Bugs would team up with Jordan. For B-Tier is spot only being I’m not a fan of shoe personal but I know like so I like to give it credit.
 Jordan and Bugs Bunny (Middle), Jordan and "Dream Team" 1992 (Right) |  |  |
Jordan 8
In 1993 Michael Jordan not letting his foot off the gas when it comes to basketball won his third championship in 3 years completing a 3-peat the first in his career. Jordan retired early due to personal reasons, many of the loss of his father. Not to end off on a sad story the shoe Jordan 8 has an iconic colorway like the Jordan Aqua 8 that debuted in the All-star of that year. B-tier.
Jordan 9
1994 saw this release and Michael retired from basketball to play baseball. It was believed that MJ’s father love the game of baseball and to honor his father he would play the sport. The shoe is not my favorite and I would put it at a C-Tier.
 MJ retiring from basketball to play baseball |  |
Jordan 10
Still retired in basketball and playing baseball. It wasn’t too long until Jordan was back on the court again but just case he didn’t want to come back Tinker had the Jordan as a thank note to Jordan who put all of his accomplishments on the bottom of the shoe. The shoe is not my cup of tea but respects shoe nevertheless. C-tier.
 Scott Pippen wearing the 10s asking Jordan to come back |  |
Jordan 11
Jordan 11 symbolizes Jordan's brand as a culture Jordan still to this day is the hottest on the market and back in 1995, it was something special. Michael comeback to the NBA and reclaim his throne in basketball. Winning his fourth championship in the summer of 1996, this one meant for him I’m sure of it. The Chicago Bulls had the best regular season record at the time with 72 winners and only 10 losses. Plus the winning that he achieve came on Father’s Day a special node to his father who had lost just two years prior. These sneakers mean the world to him some much that he mentions that the 11s are his favorite. Kids could also recognize the shoe in another movie. In 1996, Michael Jordan started in the movie called Space Jam where he teamed with Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes squad. Every year during the holidays Jordan brand release a new Jordan 11. So kids, teens, and adults can have it under their trees for the holidays. Certainly one of my favorite pairs despite not having it in my rotation. S-tier.
 1997 Space Jam movie starring MJ |  |
Jordan 12
Playoff time came for Jordan again and he was ready like always but something was wrong this time. Jordan began to suffer flu-like symptoms in the 1997 Game 5 playoffs against the Utah Jazz. Later to be revived be more like food poisoning but did his best to try to win the game. And he did, scoring 38 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists to the Bulls' victory against the Jazz to even the series. Chicago would win the series and Jordan earning his 5th championship. The shoe colorways are pretty cool so it earns my respect. A-tier
 Jordan hugged by Pippen in the "flu" game |  |
Jordan 13
Summarizing the shoe using 3 words, “He Got Game”. The movie He Got Game Starred Denzel Washington and Ray Allen (Actually a Basketball Player). The Jordan 13 is a part of the movie and people recognize the shoes from the movie. Also outside of the Jordan 12s, The 13s are probably the only two shoes that you could still play in them until this date. The Jordan brand shoes are shoes you can play basketball in but due to the out-of-date technologies in the shoes, it’s not really recommended to play in them the Jordans now. But the 12s and 13s you definitely can. A-Tier.
 Denzel Washington and Ray Allen in He Got Game |  |
Jordan 14
Last but not least the 14s, Jordan made his debut with the 14s in Game 6 of the 1998 Finals against the Utah Jazz. Jordan gets the “Last Shot” as a Chicago Bull over Bryon Russell to ice the game and his 6 champions in the NBA. Truthfully a path to greatness. The shoes are pretty unique at the same not really my style and with that, C-tier.
 MJ shot over Bryon Russell coined the "Last Shot" to ice the game for his 6th NBA Champion |  |
The conclude my S-tier of Jordan brand shoes 1-14. Are my opinions valid or wrong? Does the tier needs some work or is it spot on? Let me know how you feel about my tier list and if you want to make it on your own on the 14 pairs list, I’ll link the tier at the bottom of this blog. Until we meet again this is Heart in Soles.
Not a big show guy especially basketball shoes, but this was great to know for when I judge other people on their looks. I love the thumbnail too. It was such a great way to draw me into the post.
What a fabulous and in-depth dive of the Jordan series.