He has played in 6 NBA Championship Finals. He has won 6 NBA Championship Finals. He has 6 NBA Championship rings. He, of course, is Michael Jordan. The greatest basketball player to ever play the game. And the most recognizable athlete in the entire world. But back to the number 6. This number represents the most championship finals wins by any player to play the game of professional basketball. One more than the current superstar Kobe Bryant. So, how could Nike’s flagship shoe brand Air Jordan commemorate this monumental achievement? By doing what they do best, make one of the best Air Jordan shoes for basketball that exists: the Jordan 6 rings.
The concept is simple. Combine features of all the shoes that Michael Jordan wore during his 6 championships into one shoe. Shazaam! You have the Jordan 6 Rings. Known as an Air Jordan “hybrid”, this shoe combines elements of the AJ 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 14. The lacelock on laces and heel loop were taken from the 6. The Huarache style inner sock from the 7. The fuzzy tongue logo (my personal favorite) and Velcro strap from the 8. The silhouette is the upper from the 11. The “T W O 3” on tongue and metal lace loops from the 12. The outsole from the 13. And, finally, the Jumpman at the bottom of the tongue from the 14. Is the sum equal to or greater than the parts. Absolutely!
The different colorways this shoe has been dropped in include the teams that Mr. Jordan conquered on his way to the 6 championships he won. The Lakers, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix and the Utah Jazz are all represented as colorways complete with laser printing on the upper. The Jordan 6 Rings provides one of the most cushioned, comfortably fitting AJ’s that have been made. The outsole that was taken from the 13 provides one of the most stable and cushioned rides you can take on a basketball court. The upper of the 11 provides maximum stability. The curb appeal is a combination of several of the AJ’s of the past and is a sight to behold. A magnificent sight indeed.
Is this shoe for everybody? Of course not. But what shoe is? Jordan sneaker purists have condemned all Jordan hybrids including the 6 Rings, as an abomination and disgrace to the Air Jordan line and the man himself. Many of these purists only consider Jordan “Retros”, original models of the shoe, to be the only true Jordan’s. Hybrids to these folks are garbage. To each his own I guess. But I still don’t understand such a strong distaste for a high performance, good-looking shoe. If one were to only consider what the shoe represents, that alone would put it head and shoulders above many of the other Retro Jordan shoes for basketball that are released.