John Kim 
Earlier today, Jordan Brand officially unveiled the tenth signature shoe bearing Anthony’s name – the Melo M10. The partnership between brand and superstar has been one of the longest running connections in the basketball sneaker industry, with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James being the only pro ballers in history with double-digit signature kicks to their name. Carmelo, however, is the odd man out when considering NBA Titles and other accolades, because the popular star, who won a National Championship as a freshman in Syracuse, never accomplished anything similar to that as a pro. Sure, he’s been to All-Star Games and has two Olympic Gold Medals under his belt, but the hardware that really counts – the Naismith – has eluded him thus far.
Still, Carmelo is regarded as one of the best players in the league and certainly one of the most prolific scorers in league history. It’s his smooth game and friendly personality that made him such a likeable athlete the moment he stepped into the spotlight long before the NBA days, and that’s why he’s one of a very select few to have ten shoes to his name. Granted, the Melo line isn’t as popular as the Nike LeBron or Kobe, but every model he’s balled in has been designed with distinction. There’s no better time to look back than now (at the center of the M10 launch and upcoming Retro of his first signature shoe), so check out the history of the kicks below and let us know what Jordan Melo sig is your personal favorite.
Jordan Melo 1.5
The first Jordan Melo signature shoe utilized a non-traditional numbering system. The 1.5 debuted in the White/Metallic Gold-University Blue colorway in November of 2004 with an MSRP of $120. Several more colorways became available in early 2005 as well.
Jordan Melo 5.5
Some Air Jordan V DNA was used to created Melo’s second signature shoe – the Jordan Melo 5.5. This 2005 release retailed for $125, and debuted in late November of 2005, with a slew of new color-combos becoming available shortly thereafter.
Jordan Melo M3
The third Melo shoe introduced the new nomenclature of Carmelo’s signature shoe. It also unveiled Melo’s new logo on the shoe, prominently featured on the ankle point of the upper. At a lowered pricepoint of $115, the M3 became available in a slew of Nuggets-inspired colorways.
Jordan Melo M4
The Melo signature shoe debuted in November yet again. This M4 made use of a removable ankle wrap, which allowed for a snugger fit (Melo would always double-layer his socks). At $120, the M4 was available in several colorways, including this limited “B-More” edition.
Jordan Melo M5
2007 was a significant year for Jordan Brand, as the 23rd anniversary of the company would open doors for a number of interesting ideas. The Melo M5 was certainly one of the them as the upper featured a unique graphic upper – a play on Melo’s affinity for designer logos.
Jordan Melo M6
The Melo M6 brought the signature line back to classic detailing, with the stitching on the midsole and the perforations at the toebox alluding to design cues from the 80s. The M6 would also partake in the Future Sole program, wherein young and aspiring designers would re-design the model with the help of Jordan Brand’s designers.
Jordan Melo M7
Some new tech was introduced for 2010’s Jordan Melo M7. Visible Zoom Air was packaged with forefoot Zoom for an unparalleled fit. The M7 also featured an Advance trim, which featured Flywire panels on the upper. Some new Knicks-inspired colorways were unveiled as well as Carmelo was traded to New York.
Jordan Melo M8
Carmelo’s first full season with the Knicks featured the Jordan Melo M8. The highlight of this installment was the cushioning system, which utilized visible Max Air and Zoom Air at the sole. The M8 also featured an Advance model, which used a Hyperfuse-like material on the upper.
Jordan Melo M9
The most recent Melo model was the M9, inspired by Carmelo’s love for designer watches. The visible Zoom Air at the heel was once again the primary source of cushioning, while the Flywire-fortified lockdown straps at the upper provided the snug fit that Carmelo needed for his game.
