Before They Were Pros: Air Jordan Edition – Part 1

In an era when Magic Johson and Larry Bird were closing out their respective careers, Michael Jordan emerged as the next idol of idols for young ballers across the nation to emulate. Before former League MVPs Allen Iverson and Dirk Nowitzki, as well as NBA Champions Lamar Odom and Ron Artest, made names for themselves in the NBA, they all grew up looking up to Michael Jordan as a blueprint of success of sorts. Needless to say, they all displayed an affinity for Air Jordans during their collegiate and pre-NBA days, and even Kevin Garnett had love for ‘Baldy’ during his formative years in Minnesota. Check out this great gallery of NBA pros rocking Jordans during their earlier days, and while you may expect some guys to rock Jordans, you will surely be surprised at a few. via Kenlu and NT.

Allen Iverson – Air Jordan XI

Kevin Garnett – Air Jordan XII

Jason Kidd – Air Jordan 1

Steve Smith – Air Jordan III & Others

Ron Artest – Air Jordan XIV

Dirk Nowitzki – Air Jordan XIII

Antawn Jamison – Air Jordan XI

Shawn Marion – Air Jordan XIII

Yao Ming – Air Jordan XIII

Jerry Stackhouse – Air Jordan X

Kenyon Martin – Air Jordan XII

Kenyon Martin – Air Jordan XIII

Kenyon Martin – Air Jordan XV

Kenyon Martin – Air Jordan V

Kenyon Martin – Air Jordan VIII

Lamar Odom – Air Jordan XIV

Mike Bibby – Air Jordan XIII

Gilbert Arenas – Air Jordan XV

Desmond Mason – Air Jordan IV

Ben Gordon – Air Jordan XIX

Raymond Felton – Air Jordan X

Luol Deng – Air Jordan XII

Caron Butler – Air Jordan XVII, Taliek Brown – Air Jordan III

Nate Robinson – Air Jordan XI

Josh Childress – Air Jordan XVIII

Keon Clark – Air Jordan XIII