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A few weeks back, we brought you a sneak preview of the Year of the Dragon edition of the Air Jordan 2012, and now we get a better look thanks to the official unveiling of the Nike Basketball/Jordan Brand collection. We’ve only seen a few colorways of the Air Jordan 2012 at this point, but it was clear from early photos that the upcoming Jordan signature model would feature interchangeable sockliner/insole options, similar to the Air Jordan 2011, and perhaps even more so to the recently released Zoom Kobe VII System. These new pics show off the super high-cut bootie with matching dragon-decorated ankle strap, clearly a bold new direction for the Air Jordan heritage line. You’ll need to see for yourself, so continue on after the jump for more info and images of the ‘Year of the Dragon’ Air Jordan 2012 and stay tuned for release info coming soon.
Chinese believe that dragon is a holy being, way above the mundane world. In the arena of basketball, Michael Jordan may be the only equivalent to that transcendence. As the largest single-digit number, 9 is appreciated as a sign of utmost power and achievements. Only emperors can wear robes with 9 dragons. A 9-dragon wall was exclusive for the royal family. 9 is also the lucky number for Michael Jordan. In his 9th season between 1992 and 93, Michael set personal and association record. Inspired by this mystical connection, the Jordan Brand design team, retouched AIR JORDAN 2012 for the new collection. The theme color of blue, in contrast with the yellow inner lining, underpins the message of supremacy, accentuated by the dragon pattern around JORDAN Logo on the tongue. The effect reaches its apex in the limited edition packaging, where red background is decorated with golden dragon and JORDAN Logo, bursting with Chinese features. Two cushions and three midsoles are available, offering functional and aesthetic benefits.
| Page 1 | 2 |76 Responses to “Air Jordan 2012 ‘Year of the Dragon’ – Officially Unveiled”
January 4th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
First!
January 4th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
i just threw up
January 4th, 2012 at 10:43 pm
If theyre more expensive than thee 2011 then there is no way is consider them
January 4th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Air Jordan IV Retro 'Year Of The Dragon' >>>> Air Jordan 2012 'Year Of The Dragon'
January 4th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
No colorway can save this shoe
January 4th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
The higher sockliner actually seems to work better with this shoe than the lower one. That said, the paneling is kind of funky (I like the wingtip concept but not the execution) and the jumpman logo is waaaaaaaay too big — makes the shoe feel like one of those old Team Jordan models.
January 4th, 2012 at 10:51 pm
Those booties and insoles are bananas…..
sALuTe
January 4th, 2012 at 10:51 pm
these look like dragons lol
January 4th, 2012 at 10:52 pm
2012, the end of Air Jordans..
January 4th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
I know these are ugly but immature copp
January 4th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
sockliner better than the sneaker
January 4th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Year of the Grizzles?
January 4th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
smh… shit just aint the same anymore. that looks like clown shoe.
January 4th, 2012 at 10:59 pm
the jumpman on the side isnt big enough
January 4th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
i pronounce you ugliest shoe of the year! congrats jb
January 4th, 2012 at 11:04 pm
Anyone that says "copp" to these needs to be hit in the head with a hammer.
January 4th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
These shoes are fucking GONZO,
They are SO BIZZARE!
Im an old jordan head, first paIr was 7 borduex second pair was 8 aquas..
These are in that vein of just, way out of control, anti jordans man oh man.
these are indeed LIL WAYNE tacky..
BUT.
come february…… i unno?
January 4th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Ugly!!!
January 4th, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Look like some FILA's.
January 4th, 2012 at 11:16 pm
wtf are you talking about?
January 4th, 2012 at 11:17 pm
yeah, they're not even giving us proper zoom (what is with that segmented crap O.o)
January 4th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
where is Tink when we need him! At least mentor the newbies
January 4th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
This shoe is fucking awful
January 4th, 2012 at 11:23 pm
I like them. Definitely different and out of the box.
January 4th, 2012 at 11:33 pm
big ass nike check >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> big ass jumpman
January 4th, 2012 at 11:38 pm
If only this had a better cw with the higher sockliner this would be a great lookin shoe
January 4th, 2012 at 11:44 pm
That extra large tongue with the strap on it is overkill. Otherwise it's a nice shoe. What were they thinking? And I don't wanna hear that 'it's good for hooping' bullshit. Just how much ankle support do you really need?
January 5th, 2012 at 12:13 am
I'M BROKE RIGHT NOW BUT IF I BOUGHT THESE I WOULD ROCK THE BOOTIES IN THE STREETS WITH SOME JEANS AND BURN THE SHOE….
January 5th, 2012 at 12:18 am
the xtra large tonge looks ridiculous, that being said dont wana hate too hard, seems like every time people hate on the first few looks at a shoe everyonends up warming up to it later (ex. lebron 9)
January 5th, 2012 at 12:19 am
basically got yourself a pair of shinguard's just in-case you decide to play some soccer
January 5th, 2012 at 12:28 am
…somebody gone buy this bullshit.
January 5th, 2012 at 12:33 am
sooooooooooooooo SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 5th, 2012 at 12:51 am
AIDS sick
January 5th, 2012 at 1:04 am
WHAT?!?! (0_0) lame Lame LAME!!! Just drink some clorox and get it over with if you cop these year of the dragon '12 Jordans = ritualistic suicide
January 5th, 2012 at 1:05 am
hands down one of the ugliest jordans ive ver seen.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:13 am
Starting to look promising for these 2012's. Excited to see more colorways
January 5th, 2012 at 1:22 am
(Consuela voice) Noooooooo..
January 5th, 2012 at 1:24 am
the only positive thing to me is the color blocking and the materials, nice leather it seems
January 5th, 2012 at 1:27 am
da insoles of da sneakers look great but da rest is jus straight butt ugly
January 5th, 2012 at 1:31 am
It just keeps getting worse from year to year. This brand is about to die.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:33 am
He made these. He doesn't need to mentor anyone. He needs to retire.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:36 am
No, people only warm up to hype color-ways. People don't really like the LeBron 9. Why are the only color-ways that sell limited? If a GR color-way of a shoe doesn't sell, for example (LeBron 8 V2 "Cool Grey), the shoe isn't hot. Every GR LeBron 9 is still sitting on the shelf. These will sell though. They have a name attatched to them so dumb asses, I mean "SneakerHeads", will buy them.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:37 am
and why dont anyone understand tinker worked on these? no one saw that drawing of his from 2010?
read it and weep
http://f5torefresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11…
January 5th, 2012 at 2:22 am
I WONT HAVE TO STAND IN LINE TO GET THESE.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:39 am
Do you mean KD IV Year of the Dragon?
January 5th, 2012 at 2:41 am
Someone please send him a memo that he needs to retire, he made some classics back in the day but the most great people know when it is time to give it up.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:44 am
They should just stop with the 2000 shoes, they haven't made a really awesome shoe in a long time
January 5th, 2012 at 3:50 am
You right because he is just getting worse by the minute. And then maybe I said maybe mentor some interns. And just hope for the best next year. But besides these new 2012 J's bring on the new year with some retros.
January 5th, 2012 at 4:01 am
^^^^^Douchebag!!!
January 5th, 2012 at 4:34 am
Leo Chang is the new genius shoe designer.
January 5th, 2012 at 7:11 am
This the last year Imma buy Jordans. 10s, 4s, & maybe a pair of 12s. This brand's getting lamer by the year.
January 5th, 2012 at 7:54 am
That's exactly what I thought too! Circus shoes.
January 5th, 2012 at 8:10 am
COPP and what? Take the nail remover end to the back of your own skull. Y'all will be waiting inline for these come RD GUARANTEED! Ppls in this forum don't know fire till some one tells you its fire…SMDH hats off to Tinker BRILLIANT!!!!
January 5th, 2012 at 8:19 am
this shoe is the Apocalypse of Jordan Brand…
January 5th, 2012 at 8:44 am
They have run out of ideas. This shoe is terrible. back to the drawing board with this one.
January 5th, 2012 at 8:46 am
TERRIBLE…but the funny thing about is the fact that these are the "Year of the dragon" edition, which means HYPE is gonna get these off the store racks smh
January 5th, 2012 at 9:12 am
there is no colorway no pe a flight or q flight or any other flight that can help this show, this is some ghetto ass crap right here… I don't give a damn who worked on it designed it drew it whatever,…someone greenlit it and that person needs fired.
January 5th, 2012 at 9:30 am
If Michael is still playing right now, I can't imagine these shoes on his feet…
January 5th, 2012 at 9:53 am
Please note, this is a basketball shoe. A performance piece, to PLAY BASKETBALL IN!!! These were not designed to wear on the street and style on'em. We as consumers made Jordans a staple in our footwear communities. Everything about the "classic" Jordans that we have come to cherish as of late got the same reactions back then as we give the new products of today. Think about it…
January 5th, 2012 at 10:04 am
take away the flywire and make the jumpman smaller, you got yourself a deal if these go on sale. i really like the cw on these
January 5th, 2012 at 10:17 am
So true, people forget or just to young to know these were the same reaction all the OG classics got. I did this color and will rock the hell out of it no matter what anyone thinks.
January 5th, 2012 at 10:55 am
But the thing is, Tinker may have a point. There are bunch of newbies to sneaker world that they only care about the brand, not the model. Like kids and young teenagers who don' t have the money to buy some retros, would buy these because they aren't so wel "educated".. u feel me?
So Nike do make profits no matter how ugly their shoes are. If not, they would make money by keep retroing their old shoes..
January 5th, 2012 at 11:01 am
Who ever is designing JB sneakers right now should be fired
January 5th, 2012 at 11:24 am
if someone will give this to me.. im gonna throw this back to ur face! please dont disrespect my taste
January 5th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
couldn't have said it better myself!
January 5th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
those high tongue looks like a boxing shoes to me..
January 5th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
no matter what yall say or how ugly you think these shoes are there still gonna be a instant sell out and theyll be on ebay selling for 400 dollars gueranteed im not a fan of the 2012 but i do like this color way i for one am copping these
January 7th, 2012 at 2:33 am
Agreed.
January 8th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Strictly a court shoe.. The difference between the Jordans of old and the new are, that the old looked good on and off of the court. The new Jordans have more tech, but aren't street. I guess even Jordan is entitled to an off year, and 2012 seeks to be that year. Looking forward to next installment of Jordans, because I can't see wearing these off of the court.
January 8th, 2012 at 7:33 pm
biased
January 8th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
I'm not saying these will ever be beloved……..but you do have to have some perspective.
The Jordan line has always pushed the boundaries of "taste" and what is acceptable………With time many of those past releases are regarded as "classics" and everyone thinks fondly of them.
As an older guy – I can remember wearing the original Concord's and people laughing at them and calling them "moon shoes". In my area they sat on the shelves for a while.
The XII's that people thought of as "clown shoes" and looked like boats on your feet.
I remember the confusion people had when they'd see my XVI's and asked why I had "Transformer" shoes.
These shoes may never be considered "hot" – and I agree with many of the things said, but to those not old enough to remember – if you didn't value the Jordan brand above everything else, many of the now beloved shoes confused people or where not as loved by the general public when they initially released.
January 8th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Where can I get shoes with the year of the dragon design like the Jordan's Kobe's please
January 9th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Chuuch
January 12th, 2012 at 10:52 pm
I want a pair
January 17th, 2012 at 12:36 am
Looks like a retarded cousin of melo m8
January 18th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
Nice kicks well worth every cent already copped me a pair!!