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Basketball Wed Aug 18 2010
World Basketball Festival: Michael Jordan's Original Jersey
Part of the World Basketball Festival going down in New York City last week was an incredibly cool exhibit entitled the "Ball Room" (pun!) that emphasized the evolution of the sneakers, basketballs and jerseys that have changed Doctor Naismith's game from the hardwood gym to the universal game it is today. Prominently featured amongst the displays was none other than a certain, famous "23" sported by the G.O.A.T. himself. Looking at Jordan's rookie jersey is sorta like looking into a worm hole; honestly, I was only 3 when MJ came into the league; the jersey is made my Rawlings (who, I believe, at this point makes baseball gloves and that's it) and it's made out of that heavy cotton/poly mesh blend with the holes for ventilation. Sooooo, 20th Century.
In any case, looking at it the jersey forces one to think of the murdersome domination Jordan was only beginning to show the league as the Rookie of the Year in 1984. Really, it's a lot like looking at the Shroud of Turin had Jesus been incredibly focused on winning, scoring, gambling, dominating and sticking his tongue out as he dunked over everybody. After the jump, peep the original Air Jordans and the very first basketball shoes. Ever.
The original Chuck Taylor. From 1917. This is the shoe that started everything for everyone playing basketball. Ankle support, simple aesthetics, cushioning. Now a fave of bball fans and hipsters everywhere, this shoe began the sportsware revolution.
With the Chuck Taylor All Stars igniting the sportsware revolution, this first generation Air Jordan design was the shoe that sent the revolution into hyper-drive. Very cool. Very hard to find and this pair was on loan from the Basketball Hall of Fame. Good luck looking on eBay.
