Sports
Air Jordan power rankings: Which shoe is tops as the brand celebrates 40 years?
The fun part about ranking the best Air Jordan signature shoe of all time is there is no right or wrong list.
But who am I kidding? Plenty of people will have something to say.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan signature shoe. The 40th edition of the shoe is expected to be released later this year.
The Jordan Brand has grown beyond just a basketball shoe. It has its own signature athletes, including current NBA stars Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum. The brand has crossed over into multiple sports and become a fashion staple.
Does a suit appear dressed down if it’s matched with a fresh pair of Jordans? Thirty years ago, maybe. Not anymore.
Travis Kelce wears a custom Thom Browne suit, including a Camel Hair Engineered 4-Bar Classic Sport Coat (sold out) with a 4-Bar Striped Docker Hat (sold out) and Nike Air Jordan 3 Retro Sneakers arriving at Arrowhead Stadium pic.twitter.com/IfQTOYNh6D
— Style by Kelce (@StyleByKelce) January 26, 2025
I tend to favor the shoes Jordan wore during his career, but that doesn’t dismiss all the versions that have been released since 1985. I’ve also worn plenty of of his shoes that weren’t a part of his playing career.
With that said, as we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan, here are my top 10 iterations, working from the bottom to my all-time favorite:
Spike Lee helped introduce the world to this shoe as Mars Blackmon in the Nike commercials. It also received love on prime time television weekly as the shoe Will Smith wore for the intro scene for the sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Legendary shoe designer Tinker Hatfield, who designed the iterations from the Jordan 3 to the Jordan 15, was inspired by a World War II fighter plane, using the plane’s shark-tooth design to create a similar design for the shoe’s midsoles.
The 1992 Barcelona Olympics shoe! The Dream Team edition! This is the shoe Jordan wore to help lead Team USA to an easy run through Olympic competition, capped with a convincing gold-medal win over Croatia.
The 1992 men’s basketball Olympic gold-medal game saw Jordan, wearing his Jordan 7 shoes, against Croatia guard Drazen Petrovic. (Richard Mackson / USA Today)
This shoe also didn’t feature Nike or the Swoosh on the exterior of the shoe. It did feature the Jumpman logo. This was definitely a “Jordan” shoe.
It’s also the shoe Jordan wore when he appeared in the “Jam” music video — and got some dance lessons from Michael Jackson.
This version was unlike any other to this point in multiple ways. The crisscrossed straps and velcro gave the shoe a different look. The paint-style design on the side was nice, and the chenille Jordan logo on the tongue was a bold change.
Jordan won his third championship in this shoe, beating the Phoenix Suns and Charles Barkley — whose Air Max shoe from that 1992-93 season also is one of the better shoes of the era.
7. Jordan 1
The OG of the line has aged gracefully. It’s simple, but in 1985, there was nothing quite like it on the market.
No sneaker collection is complete without a pair, given its simplicity and versatility. Wearing a suit? Jeans and a blazer? Sweatsuit? These shoes work with everything.
This was designed to celebrate Jordan’s career, as it was released during the 1994-95 season (Jordan returned to the NBA after a stint in baseball on March 1995). The sole of each shoe has 10 separate accomplishments from Jordan’s career.
The style feels like an intentional precursor to the Jordan 11, even if it’s not. Meanwhile, Jordan returned following a brief retirement on March 18 and scored 55 against the New York Knicks 10 days later wearing the shoe.
5. Jordan 13
The shoe was released and worn during Jordan’s final season. The hologram on the ankle was done to resemble the eye of a panther and was a unique addition to the line.
The outsole is meant to resemble a panther’s paw. Jordan making his final shot as a Bull in this shoe adds to its significance.
This style gave us the renowned “flu game” shoe. What many don’t know was that the shoe drew inspiration from the Japanese flag.
It’s also a shoe that led to some nice player-edition models. Gary Payton wore wore versions of these with the Lakers that were popular with those who didn’t want a pair with the classic colorway.
This shoe was a big part of 1989. Bulls fans will remember (and Cleveland Cavaliers fans choose to forget) Jordan hitting “The Shot” in these shoes on May 7, 1989.
The shoe also brings back nostalgia from Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing.” It was the shoe that Buggin’ Out (played by Giancarlo Esposito) wore when they were scuffed a brownstone tenant wearing a Larry Bird jersey named Clifton (played by John Savage), who had recently moved to Brooklyn.
This shoe was the second designed by Hatfield. It was also the first of the signature line that was globally released.
2. Jordan 3
This was the first shoe designed by Hatfield. This also is the shoe Jordan used to edge Dominique Wilkins in the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest in Chicago, a contest that produced multiple highlights and several future wall posters.
The shoe also elevated the game in terms of marketing. The Jumpman logo first appeared on the Jordan 3 in 1988. The elephant print on the shoe is still a topic of discussion among sneakerheads. Jordan once said the Jordan 3 shoe is his second favorite.
His favorite, as is mine?
If there is a Mount Rushmore of sneakers, this shoe is on it.
What’s the best Air Jordan 11 to drop in the last four years? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/gSYyM0blr7
— House of Heat° (@houseofheat) April 3, 2025
The Concord, a version with a white base featuring black patent leather, is one of the most iconic shoes ever. Jordan wore this shoe during the Bulls’ historic 72-10 regular season that culminated with the 1996 NBA Championship.
There’s also the Space Jam version of the shoe Jordan wore in the “Space Jam” movie. That shoe is all black with accents of blue, just as revered as the Concord. The Cool Grey also is a very popular colorway with sneakerheads.
Both are fancy enough to wear with a suit or even a tuxedo, which many people have done since their release. There really isn’t a colorway of the Jordan 11 that isn’t a must have.
(Top photo: Matt Jelonek / Getty Images)
Sports
‘Demon’ Finn Balor settles score with Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 42
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LAS VEGAS – Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio were once brothers in arms in the Judgment Day. The two helped the faction run “Monday Night Raw” for several years.
As championships and opportunities came and went, the rift between Balor and Mysterio grew. It came to a head when Balor caused Mysterio to lose the Intercontinental Championship to Penta. Balor leaving the Judgment Day left Mysterio and Liv Morgan as the leaders with JD McDonagh, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez sticking around.
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The latter four chose to ride with Mysterio and attacked Balor on one episode of Raw.
The bitter war led to a match Sunday night at WrestleMania 42. To make matters more interesting, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made the match a street fight hours before the show was set to begin.
Balor had vowed to bring the “Demon” out and he certainly did.
JACOB FATU PUTS DREW MCINTYRE IN THE ‘REAR VIEW’ IN UNSANCTIONED MATCH AT WRESTLEMANIA 42
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Balor made his way to the ring in his “Demon” gear, dripping with red and black paint. Mysterio was in a mask with other Mysterio supporters.
The two then proceeded to beat the crud out of each other.
Mysterio wrapped Balor’s head in between a chair and hit a 619 on him. He tried to pin Balor, but to no avail. At another point, Mysterio tossed Balor through a table set up in the corner.
As many have learned, it’s hard to keep your demons down. Mysterio learned the hard way.
Balor would not give up. Balor clotheslined Mysterio, hit him with a chair multiple times before wrapping his head in between the chair and drop-kicking him into the corner. Balor put Mysterio onto a table and hit the Coup de Grâce for the win.
Dominik Mysterio is introduced before his match against Finn Balor during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Balor excised his own demons, while Mysterio is still haunted.
Sports
Ryan Ward has a solid debut, but bullpen blows it again as Dodgers lose to Rockies
DENVER — What do you know? The once-stampeding Dodgers have been caged by the Colorado Rockies.
With a 9-6 loss Sunday at Coors Field, the two-time defending World Series champions lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. The Dodgers again couldn’t hold a lead, letting the Rockies tee off for 15 hits.
Nor could the Dodgers keep up offensively at the hitter-friendly park — though they put some pressure on in the ninth inning, when Shohei Ohtani led off with a ground-rule double and the Dodgers scored twice to cut the lead to three runs. Then the new guy, Ryan Ward, made the final out in his big league debut, robbed of a hit and a chance to keep chipping away by a diving Troy Johnston in right field.
Before that, the Rockies — who beat the Dodgers twice in 13 meetings all of last season — chased starter Roki Sasaki from the game in the fifth inning and then ruffled the Dodgers’ relievers. That included closer Edwin Díaz, who came on in the eighth and promptly gave up three singles, a walk and two runs before being pulled with the Dodgers trailing 8-4.
Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki gave up three runs on seven hits in 4-2/3 innings Sunday against the Rockies in Denver.
(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
He and Blake Treinen combined to face eight batters without getting an out.
“They both weren’t sharp,” said manager Dave Roberts, who had theories but not many answers — though he did have real concern, especially about Díaz, who recently had his right knee checked out by the medical staff.
Roberts said the closer wanted to pitch after nine days off, even though it wasn’t a save situation. But his velocity was slightly down (95.4 mph vs. 95.8) and so, “today was a tough evaluation,” the manager said.
“It really was,” Roberts said. “Because, you know, I know what it’s supposed to look like, and when it doesn’t look like that, it gets a little concerning, really.”
And losing for the second time to the Rockies, who are now 9-13? Being in danger of losing their four-game series, after arriving in Denver without having lost to a National League opponent, against a club that hasn’t made the postseason since 2018?
It’s well below the bar the Dodgers have set, and it added a bitter note to Ward’s otherwise sweet debut.
Ward punched a big league clock for the first time wearing No. 67 and cranked his first hit off Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen in the fourth inning, lining a changeup to right field for a single that scored Andy Pages, made it 3-0 and got the 20-some members of Ward’s party up, jumping in place, hugging and high-fiving.
“When I was on first base, I got to see them all jumping around up there,” Ward said. “That was a pretty special moment.”
He also singled in the sixth and swung on the first pitch in his first at-bat, a fly out in the third inning.
The Dodgers gave Sasaki a 2-0 lead in the third. Alex Freeland drove in Hyeseong Kim, and Shohei Ohtani doubled in Freeland — and extended his career-best on-base streak to 51 games, moving past Willie Keeler into third place in Dodgers history.
Sasaki went 4-2/3 innings, threw 78 pitches and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking two. His ERA after his fourth start: 6.11, worst in the six-man rotation.
The Dodgers fell behind 6-5 in the seventh when Treinen — who was cleared Friday after he was struck in the head by a batted ball during batting practice — gave up four consecutive hits, including a two-run home run by Mickey Moniak.
The result likely will be a minor detail when Ward tells the story years from now about getting the call after first baseman Freddie Freeman was placed on the paternity list.
The Dodgers’ No. 19 prospect and reigning Pacific Coast League MVP spent the last seven years in the minors. Last season, he hit 36 home runs and drove in 122 runs with a .937 on-base-plus-slugging percentage for triple-A Oklahoma City, and he has a 1.020 OPS and four homers this year.
Ward made it a point to improve his chase rate, draw more walks and get on base more frequently, everything the Dodgers asked of him. He also passed the broadest patience test.
“The plate discipline, being a better hitter … he’s done all that,” Roberts said. “He’s improved his defense. But honestly, for me, just not to let his lack of opportunity in the big leagues deter him. That’s easy when you get frustrated and let it affect performance, and he hasn’t done that.”
If anything, Ward said, the waiting made him better.
“I used it to keep going. ‘OK, if I’m not there yet, what do I have to do to get there?’” he said. “‘What part of my game do I need to work on to keep getting better?’
“I used it as fire to keep working.”
That will be the Dodgers’ assignment too.
In the finale of the four-game series Monday, the Dodgers are expected to start left-hander Justin Wrobleski (2-0, 2.12) against Colorado left-hander Jose Quintana (0-1, 5.63).
Sports
ESPN’s Stephen A Smith hears boos from WrestleMania 42 crowd
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LAS VEGAS – Danhausen’s curse may be real after all – just ask Stephen A. Smith and the New York Mets.
While the latter dropped their 10th game in a row, Smith got his share of the curse on Saturday night during Night 1 of WrestleMania 42. Smith was in attendance for WWE’s premier event of the year and heard massive boos from the crowd.
Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
Smith was sitting ringside to watch the action. The ESPN star appeared on the videoboard above the ring at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He appeared to embrace the reaction and smiled through it.
The boos came after Danhausen appeared on “First Take” on Friday – much to the chagrin of the sports pundit. Smith appeared perplexed by Danhausen’s appearance. Smith said he heard about Danhausen and called him a “bad luck charm.”
Danhausen said Smith had been “rude” to him and put the dreaded “curse” on the commentator.
WWE STAR DANHAUSEN SAYS METS ‘CURSE’ ISN’T EXACTLY LIFTED AS TEAM DROPS NINTH STRAIGHT GAME
Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
Smith is far from the only one dealing with the effects of the “curse.”
Danhausen agreed to “un-curse” the Mets during their losing streak. However, he told Fox News Digital earlier this week that there was a reason why the curse’s removal didn’t take full effect.
“I did un-curse the Mets. But it didn’t work because, I believe it was Brian Gewirtz who did not pay Danhausen. He did not send me my money so it did not take full effect,” Danhausen said. “Once I have the money, perhaps it will actually work because right now it’s probably about a half of an un-cursing. It’s like a layaway situation.”
Danhausen enters the arena before his match against Kit Wilson during SmackDown at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on April 10, 2026. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
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On “Friday Night SmackDown,” WWE stars like The Miz and Kit Wilson were also targets of Danhausen’s curse.
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