{"id":798388,"date":"2018-12-06T07:20:19","date_gmt":"2018-12-06T12:20:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=798388"},"modified":"2020-09-11T03:23:40","modified_gmt":"2020-09-11T07:23:40","slug":"air-jordan-11-concord-throwback-thursday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/air-jordan-11-concord-throwback-thursday\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Jordan 11 “Concord” \/\/ Throwback Thursday"},"content":{"rendered":"

lead & group photos by Rob Mata<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Jumpman Jordan.<\/p>\n

Welcome to Snkrs Day\u2019 Throwback Thursday<\/em> where we pay tribute to arguably the most iconic and popular Air Jordan silhouette in brand history: The Air Jordan 11<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This Saturday will see the year\u2019s most anticipated and coveted general release of the year: the Air Jordan XI Retro in the classic Concord colorway. OG collectors and Jordan historians will be quick to specify that this particular retro is, in fact, a re-release of the very pair MJ wore on court during Games 1 and 2 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Orlando Magic, complete with his #45 on the heel. This marks one of the only times in Jordan Brand history when a game-worn MJ PE has been given the retro treatment in near OG-correct color blocking, detailing, and packaging.<\/p>\n

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So, strap on your seatbelt and take a ride on this fantastic voyage all the way back in time to the year 1995 as we once again celebrate sneaker history and pay tribute to the Air Jordan 11 Concord.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

There are many descriptions that come to mind when one thinks of the Air Jordan XI Concord: \u201cMost beloved Jordan,\u201d \u201coverwhelming masterpiece,\u201d \u201cbest sneaker ever.\u201d Such high praise for high fashion, and as history has shown, it is fully justifiable. Nearly 25 years after its original debut, and multiple retro versions in both OG and new garde colorways, the Jordan XI has earned mythical status among collectors and enthusiasts as an icon and symbol of success, style, sophistication, and urban fashion, a consequence and product of mass hysteria, an everlasting and enduring love of Jordan, as well as consumer\u2019s appreciation and respect for beautiful aesthetics.<\/p>\n

In August 1994, while Jordan was busy playing baseball following his first retirement from basketball, Tinker Hatfield \u2013 the ultimate sneaker guru and creative genius behind many Air Jordan silhouettes \u2013 began sketching the newest Air Jordan project which he called the Jordan XI. What initially developed as an Air Jordan sock, the Jordan XI gradually evolved into something much greater than just another piece of footwear. Its initial completely lace-less design was meant to provide a custom fit with maximum comfort vis-a-via incorporating high-tech fasteners in order to provide stability and lock in the foot.<\/p>\n

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In March 1995, Jordan once again returned to the NBA hardwood, this time wearing #45. After an abbreviated regular season, Jordan entered the 1995 playoffs where he helped the Bulls oust the Charlotte Hornets in Round 1. However, Jordan would once again send shockwaves throughout the sports community, particularly for sneaker enthusiasts when he debuted without warning a brand-new pair of tuxedo-like basketball shoes: the Air Jordan 11.<\/p>\n

MJ debuted the XI #45 PE in its iconic Concord colorway in Game 1 of the 1995 ECSF series against the Magic and was subsequently fined for violating the league\u2019s uniform rule as his pair did not match his teammate\u2019s sneakers. Prior to Game 2, MJ made another bold move by switching back to his old jersey # 23 and rebounded beautifully from his subpar Game 1 performance, scoring 38 points en route to a Bulls win to tie the series 1-1.<\/p>\n