Is it the shoes? It's got to be... Right? Michael Jeffrey Jordan replied to Mars Blackmon that it wasn't. Maybe he was right. Born in Brooklyn, raised in North Carolina, Mr. Jordan dominated the NBA and "His Airness", rightfully crowned (arguably) as the greatest basketball player of all time. All Mars wanted to know if this greatness was due to the shoes. High School athletes, College stars and NBA professionals alike have worn the shoes in hopes to have an edge. Even if the edge is just psychological. By wearing the shoes, one would hope to "be like Mike."

1984 Air Jordan enters the NBA draft after an extremely successful 3 years at the University Of North Carolina. Air Jordan was picked 3rd, yes 3rd, behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie, and Air Jordan began his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls and with Nike. After meeting with Nike founder Phil Knight, Air Jordan was on board.

Jordan 1
Peter Moore had the honor of designing the first Nike Air Jordan I. Banned by the NBA for not meeting league dress-code regulations, and fined $5,000 per game (paid for by Nike), the Nike Air Jordan I was bold, black, and red with wings. In these Nike Air Jordan I shoes, a playoff record 63 points was scored against the Boston Celtics, the Rookie of the Year award was received as well as a starting position at the All-Star game, and the opening round of battles to come was foreshadowed at the Slam Dunk Contest. Most notable, a legend was born. Not just Air Jordan himself, but the shoes on his feet as well.

Jordan 2
The Nike Air Jordan II boasted the "Made In Italy" stamp and was the first to be offered in a low top version.

Jordan 3
Nike Air Jordan III had the touch of design genius from Tinker Hatfield, the Jumpan logo, Elephant print, and this third installment is what kept His Airness happy and with Nike.

Jordan 4
The Nike Air Jordan IV had "Flight" scripted on the tongue, and that's just what the shoe did: it was the first Nike Air Jordan to be marketed globally.

Jordan 5
The World War II Mustang fighter plane was the inspiration for the Nike Air Jordan V and was the first shoe to have His Airness' number scribed on the heel and had icy soles and a reflective 3M tongue.

Jordan 6
Air Jordan's first NBA Championship was won wearing the Nike Air Jordan VI.

Jordan 7
The Nike Air Jordan VII was actually more Air Jordan VII and less Nike, displaying no Nike Air branding on the shoe; something Nike wasn't too happy about.

Jordan 8
After wearing the Nike Air Jordan VIII, and achieving his first three-peat, His Airness decided to leave the game and venture into his baseball career marking his first retirement from the NBA. Although it wasn't worn on the hardwood.

Jordan 9
The Nike Air Jordan IX was converted to a baseball cleat for His Airness.

Jordan 10
The Nike Air Jordan X was the comeback shoe along with his return number of 45 and accomplishments through 1993 were scribed on the bottom. Prematurely displayed during the 1995 playoffs.

Jordan 11
The Nike Air Jordan XI was worn during the 1996 regular season; the same season where the Bulls accomplished a record breaking 72 wins, and only lost 3 games en route to the beginning of their second three-peat. Faux lizard, carbon shank plate, gold plated steel lace loops.

Jordan 12
No Nike at all, the Nike Air Jordan XII was the last of Nike and the beginning of Jordan Brand.

Jordan 13
The Black Panther inspired Air Jordan XIII had the cat eye hologram on the side and were used during His Airness' last run to the playoffs.

Jordan 14
And who could forget the game winning shot against the Utah Jazz and the last shoes worn as a Bull: the Air Jordan XIV.

Peter Moore had the honor of designing the first Nike Air Jordan I. Banned by the NBA for not meeting league dress-code regulations, and fined $5,000 per game (paid for by Nike), the Nike Air Jordan I was bold, black, and red with wings. In these Nike Air Jordan I shoes, a playoff record 63 points was scored against the Boston Celtics, the Rookie of the Year award was received as well as a starting position at the All-Star game, and the opening round of battles to come was foreshadowed at the Slam Dunk Contest. Most notable, a legend was born. Not just Air Jordan himself, but the shoes on his feet as well.