Air Jordan XII Retros have released sporadically over the past two-plus years, starting with the ‘Nubuck’ re-release in early 2009 and most recently with two pairs of lows dropping this past summer. Over this period, we’ve noted a marked increase in Jordan Brand ballers rocking the Twelves in our NBA Feet feature, but none of these player exclusive special makeups have made it to retail. Perhaps that wasn’t always the plan, as the tags on this Air Jordan XII Joe Johnson PE like the ones we spotted him wearing last February indicate that they’re a sample for the 2009 holiday season. We’re betting JB made the right call in not releasing two different black nubuck AJXIIs with red accents in same quarter, but would Hawks fans have swooped in to ensure these were a sellout just like the ‘Flu Game’ revision? Click through so you can see some closeups including Johnson’s personalized heel embroidery, and check out the sample pair available for a short time from ace1185 on eBay.