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
Olympic medalist suffers serious injuries after ‘death-defying’ skateboarding stunt
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An Olympic medalist and 13-time X Games winner suffered serious head injuries after a stunt went wrong.
Nyjah Huston, who won bronze in Paris in 2024, said he suffered a fractured skull and eye socket.
“A harsh reminder how death-defying skating massive rails can be…” Huston wrote in an Instagram post which included a photo of himself in a hospital bed. “Taking it one day at a time. I hope yall had a better new years then me. We live to fight another day.”
Nyjah Huston of the United States competes in the men’s street prelims during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at La Concorde 3. (Jack Gruber/USA TODAY Sports)
The post also featured Huston being treated by first responders and friends, along with another photo showing a large black-and-blue mark on Huston’s eye.
Numerous skating legends showed their support for Huston, who is considered one of the best skateboarders in the United States today.
Nyjah Huston of Team USA reacts at the Skateboarding Men’s Street Prelims on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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“Been watching @nyjah grow up into one of the best skaters to ever do it and it amazes me the amount of grit this kid has,” Shaun White shared on his Instagram story, via Pro Football Network. “You got this brother. Heal quick!”
Even Tony Hawk shared well-wishes on Huston’s Instagram post.
“Heavy. Stay strong; we know you’ll be back,” the skateboarding legend wrote.
“Man.. prayers for healing brother!” added Ryan Sheckler.
It is unknown whether Huston was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.
Nyjah Huston, of the United States, celebrates during the men’s skateboard street final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Huston has seven gold medals and five silvers in world championships. He has not competed since the 2024 Olympics, but the California native has his eyes set on the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
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Sports
Prep talk: JuJu Watkins returns to Sierra Canyon on Friday
JuJu Watkins is returning to Sierra Canyon High on Friday, the place where she was a high school basketball All-American.
The school will hold a ceremony retiring her jersey at halftime of the boys’ basketball game between Sierra Canyon and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
She will be presented with a framed jersey.
Watkins is sitting out this season at USC while recovering from a knee injury.
Sierra Canyon girls’ basketball coach Alicia Komaki said, “She raised our standards, which was hard to do because we had won four state championships. She was an incredibly talented player.”
Watkins was also making a huge impact in the college game until her injury last season during the NCAA playoffs.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
Sports
Miami beats Ole Miss behind Carson Beck’s game-winning touchdown to reach CFP National Championship Game
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The Miami Hurricanes are heading to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, coming away with a narrow victory over Ole Miss, 31-27, in an all-time postseason contest.
The Hurricanes will now await the winner of the other semifinal between the Indiana Hoosiers and Oregon Ducks to see who they will play on Jan. 19. But Miami will do so on their home turf, with the National Championship Game being played at Hard Rock Stadium – the site of their home games.
The game began slowly for both teams, with only Miami getting on the scoreboard in the first quarter with a field goal on their 13-play opening drive. But the fireworks came out from there for the Rebels thanks to the speed of running back Kewan Lacy.
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Charmar Brown of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes celebrates a run in the first quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 8, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Steve Limentani/ISI Photos)
On just the second play of the second quarter, Lacy was off to the race, finding a seam and busting out a 73-yard touchdown run to go up 7-3 after the extra point.
But this game was back and forth for quite some time, including the ensuing Hurricanes drive as quarterback Carson Beck led the way on a 15-play touchdown series with a CharMar Brown rushing score from four yards out.
The game was deadlocked at 10 apiece when Beck decided to air it out to Keelan Marion, and it was worth the risk. Marion made the grab for a 52-yard touchdown to help Miami go up 17-13 at halftime.
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The third quarter was an odd one for both squads, as their opening drives resulted in a missed field goal apiece. Then, after Beck threw an interception, the Rebels were able to cut the lead to 17-16 in favor of the Hurricanes heading into the fourth quarter for the ages.
There was no absence of electric plays when it mattered most in the final 15 minutes, as Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss got his team downfield enough to take a 19-17 lead with a field goal.
But the speed of Malachi Toney changed the scoreboard for Miami in the best way possible, as he took a screen 36 yards to the house, capping a four-play, 75-yard answer drive for the Hurricanes right after Ole Miss took the lead.
Trinidad Chambliss of the Ole Miss Rebels celebrates a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the second quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 8, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
With a 24-19 lead and five minutes left to play in the game, Chambliss and the Rebels’ offense had quite enough time to retake the lead. He did just that, finding trusty tight end Dae’Quan Wright for 24 yards to send the Rebels faithful ballistic.
Ole Miss wanted to go for two in hopes of making it a three-point lead, and Chambliss came through again, finding a wide open Caleb Odom for the key score.
It was up to Beck and the Miami offense to keep the game alive with at least tying the game at 27 apiece. On a crucial third-and-10 just inside field goal range, Beck was confident with his pass to Marion to get well within range. Another pass to Marion made it first-and-goal, and it was clear Miami wasn’t trying to force overtime. They wanted to win it all.
How fitting was it that Beck, scanning the field, found a seam to his left and just sprinted for the colored paint to score the game-winner with 18 seconds left.
But things got fascinating at the end, with Ole Miss going 40 yards in just a few seconds to set up a Hail Mary for the win. Chambliss had the space to loft a pass to the end zone, and though it hit off the hand of a teammate, it landed incomplete for the Miami victory.
Carson Beck of the Miami Hurricanes passes the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels in the first quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 8, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
In the box score, Beck was 23-of-37 for 268 yards with his two passing touchdowns and an interception. Marion was a key player in the victory with seven catches for 114 yards, while Mark Fletcher Jr. set the tone in the ground game with 133 yards rushing on 22 carries. Toney also tallied 81 receiving yards for Miami.
For Ole Miss, Chambliss also went 23-of-37 for 277 yards with his touchdown to Wright, who finished with 64 yards on three grabs. De’Zhaun Stribling was five for 77 through the air, while Lacy rushed for 103 yards on 11 carries.
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