With the Air Jordan 2011 debuting during this 2011 NBA All Star weekend, we knew to expect some special releases and maybe even suprise colorways during the ASG, but these two deluxe packages come as a huge surprise.  Then again, when Jordan Brand showed off its ‘For the Love of the Game’ collection back in August, both Air Jordans VII and IX released in heartsketball-embroidered editions complete with Skull Candy headphones.  And now the same has happened with the Skull Candy x Air Jordan 2011 and AJIII Retro, both of which will release in impressive special packages, come complete with matching Skull Candy Aviator headphones you won’t be able to get anywhere else.  The AJ2011 joints feature mismatched cans to mimic the 2011′s Quick/Explosive interchangable insoles, while the ‘White Cement’ Air Jordan 3 version goes for a more obvious look, adding black Elephant print to a white base.  Click through to see both pairs, let us know which one’s better and for those of you in the SoCal area, look for these to hit Footaction at Westfield Culver City where a tiny run of each will be available Saturday at 10am.

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In 1989, Nike, Michael Jordan, and Tinker Hatfield introduced the Air Jordan IV to the world. By then, Michael was a well-established scoring phenom in the league, coming off of two straight scoring titles and Slam Dunk championships. Michael had his eyes set on the larger prize, and later in the ’89 Playoffs, Michael would make his postseason stamp with a buzzer-beating, series ending game winner over Craig Ehlo – one of the most picturesque moments in NBA history. The Air Jordan IV began its roots in four original colorways, one of which was the Off White/Military Blue colorway. After a long, seventeen-year wait, the Military IV was re-issued in Fall 2006, and better yet, Sneaker News reported the return of the Military IV again for 2012. Original pairs of the Air Jordan IV in Off White/Military Blue are extremely rare, especially in deadstock condition. Although no longer wearable, these would make the perfect conversation piece of your collection or display. Thanks to Josh for the heads up, and you can get in on the bidding for these vintage Jordans now from radioclash77 on eBay.

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The last hurrah? Michael Jordan just seems to get better with age, and after leading the Chicago Bulls to 72 and 69 wins in the previous two seasons while capturing numerous individual awards, Michael at age 34-35 was as good as any other. Other NBA players are usually well into their decline at that age, but Mike not only stayed afloat, he was the buoy that kept the entire league above water with his exciting play. Leading the Chicago Bulls to a 62-win season and capturing his sixth NBA Championship (while earning the MVP trifecta), Michael Jordan capped off a legendary Bulls career going out on top – again. But the 1997-98 NBA season was a milestone era for Michael off the court as well, as Jordan Brand branched off from Nike and became its own independent brand.

The Air Jordan XIII was once again designed by Tinker Hatfield, who used the black panther as the inspiration behind the design. It was an alarmingly serendipitous circumstance because just two years prior to the Air Jordan XIII’s creation, Michael earned the nickname ‘Black Cat’. Call it coincidence – we’ll call it the the unification of two great minds. Alongside the Air Jordan XIII were Jordan Brand’s first non-Legacy designs under the Team Jordan umbrella. Jordan Brand also brought on its first team of NBA athletes, which included Ray Allen, Vin Baker, Michael Finley, Derek Anderson, Eddie Jones, and more. The highlight of the marketing campaign for the Air Jordan XIII was of Michael Jordan the ‘CEO’, as the net worth of his name and everything tied to it was valued at over $10 billion.

So what colorways did Michael exactly wear? For the regular season, he wore the White/Black and White/Red for Home and Away, and introduced a Black/White rendition for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. He would later wear that colorway during the 1998 NBA Playoffs, rotating them with the Black/Red as well as low-top PEs. In 2004, the Air Jordan XIII was re-issued in a number of colorways new and old, and again in 2010/2011. In 2010, the Air Jordan XIII was the third selection of the Jordan Brand Bin 23 Collection, a colorway that featured earthy brown and red tones. The Air Jordan XIII is considered as a favorite by many Jordan fans, but the 1997-98 NBA Season will be remembered for two different Air Jordan shoes. The first being the Air Jordan 1, which Michael wore during his last game at Madison Square Garden, and the second being an all-new design for his last game as a Chicago Bull. Continue reading for a complete visual recap of Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan XIII and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next installment of Michael Jordan Through The Years.

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The last time the Nike Air Force 1 hit Nike iD in late December, the 350 available pairs sold out in a flash. Nike iD has promised us a second run, and tomorrow is the day to assemble your best colorways because the Nike Air Force 1 iD is ready for a return. The premium materials (buttery suede, rich leather) and new options (chenille swoosh) made the first batch of Air Force 1 iDs an instant goner once it went live, and the second batch, which will be limited to 750 pairs, will likely see the same fate. Tons of heat dropping this weekend, but if you missed out on the first go-around, hit up Nike iD starting at noon EST tomorrow to get your pair. While you’re waiting, check out some pics of three pairs of AF1 iD’s created by members of the Sneaker News crew when the online option was made briefly available in December. Elephant laces not included.

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Jordan Brand has invaded Footaction in Culver City, CA with an astounding All-Star themed display. Focusing on its three marquee athletes in Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony as well as the brand’s most highly anticipated releases like the Air Jordan 2011 and other All-Star inspired kicks, Jordan Brand has created an awe-inspiring atmosphere inside the footwear retail shop to give consumers a first-hand look at what Jordan has prepared for the All-Star Weekend. Earlier today, we showed you an amazing Air Jordan 2011 display at that location, so here’s a follow up with a broader spotlight on all of what Jordan Brand has to offer, utilizing a Red vs. Blue All-Star-inspired theme with other great features like an apparel customization center. Shoes like the Dave White x Air Jordan 1, Air Jordan V ‘Premio’, and other All-Star colorways are shown, so check out the full Jordan Brand Takeover below and let us know what you think. via F5toRefresh.

Footaction
6000 Sepulveda Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90230
310-398-8460

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Three of ten 2011 NBA All-Star Game starters wear Jordan Brand sneakers, so in honor of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade going back to Cali, JB has issued a series of ASG-inspired apparel items.  The core of this collection is a set of tees with the three aforementioned ballers’ names on the front, their numbers on the back and both graphics enhanced by faux perforations and the wild ‘warrior’ print that characterizes the Air Jordan 2011′s mudguard.  Elsewhere on the familiar patterns side of things is an Elephant print tee with shiny foil graphics, a look that carries over to the BC tee that puts a panther in place of the bear on the California state flag.  There are a couple more shirts plus a Jumpman belt waiting in photos after the jump so click through to see the entire Jordan Brand All Star apparel collection that just dropped at Nike Harajuku.

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The Jordan Brand Bin 23 Collection was introduced in Spring 2010 as a premium collection of Air Jordans 1-XX3 constructed of the finest materials and luxurious colorways. The colorways selected for the Jordan Brand Bin 23 Collection are in fact ideas from the past that were ‘lost’ and obviously thrown in the backburner in favor of other colorways. The Air Jordan V, for example, never released in black leather for men, and so for the Spring 2011 release of the Jordan Brand Bin 23 Collection, the preeminent basketball footwear label has decided to bring back black leather on the Air Jordan V. The colorway itself isn’t new, as we’ve seen the Black/Metallic Silver combination on the released version, but the buttery leather adds another level of bliss to these already indulgent Jordans. These will be available at the most select Jordan Brand retailers around the world and tomorrow is the official U.S. release date (and due to a delivery delay House of Hoops will release these next week), so take another look below and don’t forget to get one of the 2,133 pairs in existence. Your spot not getting these? Grab a pair now at Kix-Files or on eBay.

Style: 444844-001
Color: Black/Black-Metallic Silver

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Hearts have been warmed and opened by the Air Jordan 2011 after a relatively disappointing Air Jordan 2009 and underwhelming Air Jordan 2010. Praised for its simplicity and luxurious nature, the Air Jordan 2011 has reminded us once again why Jordan Brand is the pre-eminent label of high-end basketball performance footwear. For 2011, Jordan Brand will introduce the Air Jordan Fly 23, which combines the supreme comfort of forefoot Zoom/heel Max Air and the pristine design of the upper inspired more by lifestyle trends than high-tech design. With a large Jumpman placed off-center on the heel and unique graphics placed on the upper (like the Air Jordan XX3), the Air Jordan Fly 23 looks to continue the proud Jordan Brand legacy when it releases this Fall 2011 season. Continue reading for a look at the Black/Stealth, Tech Grey/Black, and Tech Grey/Varsity Red colorways and let us know what you think. via US11.

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Even someone as talented as Dwight Howard needs some luck on his side. In fact, Dwight had more than luck, he had Wallace Prather Jr. on his side – the legendary AAU Coach of the Atlanta Celtics who helped shape Dwight Howard into what he is today. Unfortunately, Prather passed away in 2005, but since then, the basketball world has done its part to pay tribute to the high-school basketball icon by re-naming the adidas Superstar Camp All-Star Games to the Wallace Prather Memorial All-Star Classic. This new look at the St. Patrick’s Day PE of Dwight Howard’s adidas Superbeast features Prather’s name stitched on the inner face of the tongue to remind Howard of his pre-NBA roots and teachings. Take another look at the adidas Superbeast St. Patrick’s Day PE below and let us know what you think. via 8420.

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With the NBA All Star weekend rapidly approaching, it’s time for the annual Slam Dunk Contest and with that, memories of previous champions are bound to have you searching through YouTube.  Recent years have been dominated by Dwight Howard and Nate Robinson, two guys at opposite ends of the spectrum, the latter of which offers a bit of his power of flight by proxy with this latest release.  The Nike Air Foamposite Pro in Electric Green evokes memories of the Kryptonate Foamposite Lite from a couple years back, but its combination of the classic Foam Pro silhouette and this brand new colorway reminds you new stories will continue to be written.  Does the next chapter end with you rocking a pair of Electric Green Foamposite Pros?  Click through to get a better look and grab yours in advance of the March 5th release date from PickYourShoes or on eBay.

Style: 624041-300
Color: Electric Green/Black-White

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Ray Allen just set the NBA career record for three-pointers made but the man whose stroke’s so sweet they call him ‘Sugar Ray’ won’t be participating in this year’s Three Point Shootout.  Allen has already competed in the All Star Weekend contest five times and won once, so now it’s your turn to ‘become’ his teammate, defending 3-point shootout champ Paul Pierce.  ‘The Truth’ isn’t actually depicted in Foot Locker‘s new Three-Point Contest, but if you play the Flash-based game a couple times there’s no doubt you should be able to get into the 20s.  Click here to see if you can get a perfect score on all five racks, and stick with Sneaker News for extensive coverage of the 2011 NBA All Star festivities.

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Earlier today Sneaker News showed you what the Nike Basketball athletes will be wearing during the 2011 NBA All-Star Game. Here’s a quick sampling of what to expect from the Jordan Brand All-Star representative – the Air Jordan Take Flight in East and West colorways. Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Ray Allen and Joe Johnson are the lone Jordan Brand reps for this year’s All-Star festivities, and since you can expect the first three to wear their own signature Jordan Brand shoes during the game, the only glimpse you might catch of the Take Flight is on Joe Johnson’s feet. In any case, both All-Star colorways of the Air Jordan Take Flight just released – both of which can be copped at Nikestore. More images await you, so give them a review and let us know which colorway you like better.

Style: 414825-601
Color: Varsity Red/Black

Style: 414825-401
Color: Midnight Navy/Black

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