10 Air Jordans We Wish Michael Jordan Could Have Played In

Year (of Sneaker): 2010
When: All-Star Game

Doernbecher Air Jordans are universally prized, in part due to their design and in part due to their rarity. But how much of a difference would it have made—to the sneakers' owners and their young designers—if they were worn by Michael Jordan on the biggest of NBA stages? "Design Michael Jordan's All-Star Shoe," now that would be an honor for anyone.

Year (of Sneaker): 2009
When: Full Season

Sometimes it seems like the Air Jordan 2009 never got its just due. For starters, it followed the Air Jordan XX3, which would have been an impossible act to follow for virtually any Air Jordan. As the first Air Jordan to feature a year designation rather than a number, it already seemed like it was separated from the line. And the fencing-inspired upper and decoupled cushioning weren't as story-ready as the embroidered Considered upper of the XX3. Maybe all it would have taken for the 2009 to be accepted was a season on MJ's feet? Too bad we'll never know.

Year (of Sneaker): 2008
When: Full Season

The Air Jordan XX3 was a significant achievement for both the brand and Michael Jordan himself. Not only was it a magic number for Air Jordans, but no other signature line has even come close to that kind of output (only 13 more to go, LeBron!). The fact that it was the first "Considered" Air Jordan was just icing on the proverbial cake. Plus, we can't help thinking these would have looked amazing on Mike's feet.

Year (of Sneaker): 2010
When: Against the Clippers at the Staples Center

Hardly any NBA players wore Air Jordans against Mike back when he was in his prime. Partly this was because the retro craze hadn't jumped off yet, and partly this was because opposing guards weren't suicidal. All that changed when Air Jordan became CEO Jordan and he put together a roster of NBA athletes to represent the Jumpman. Wearing the Jordan III inspired CP3.IIIs against CP3 himself would have served as a reminder of where this all started.

Year (of Sneaker): 2013
When: February

Can you imagine? Mike wears the Black History Month Spiz'ikes for the entire month of February, pays all the ensuing uniform violation fines, and matches them with donations to charity. Assuming his feet and ankles could handle the old technology, this would have been a public relations coup as well as an amazing sight to behold.

Year (of Sneaker): 2009
When: All-Star Game

Red All-Star sneakers will forever be associated with Mike's running mate, Scottie Pippen, but there's no reason MJ couldn't have joined in the fun. Too bad Jordans weren't made in too many different colors back in Mike's heyday. The red suede "Toro Bravo" Vs would have been crazy in 1990—or 2009.

Year (of Sneaker): 2013
When: Full Season

It's hard to picture Mike wearing a sneaker as unorthodox as the Air Jordan XX8, but at the same time it's easy to forget how unorthodox most Air Jordans were when they were initially released. Extra points if Mike wore them against Gary Payton, and then endured non-stop trash talk about how GP had shrouded sneakers first. Why isn't there a basketball old-timer's game?

Year (of Sneaker): 2005
When: Playoffs

For the Chicago Bulls in the '90s, black shoes meant it was clobberin' time. Other teams could shave their heads or try other dubious attempts at team unity—the Bulls just wore black sneakers and beat everyone. It's a shame Mike never got to wear the "Stealth" Air Jordan XXs, because they were one of the meanest-looking all-black sneakers ever made.

Year (of Sneaker): 2010
When: Against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden

When Michael Jordan wore a pair of original Air Jordan 1s on his "last" trip to Madison Square Garden in 1998, the sneaker world sat up and took notice. If it were around back then, Twitter would have undoubtedly crashed. Had this event happened a decade or so later, Mike could have saved himself a search (and some sore feet) by simply wearing the Alpha 1 in the same classic colorway.

Year (of Sneaker): 2011
When: Full Season

Of the short run of Air Jordans to bear a year designation rather than a number, the Air Jordan 2011 was clearly the best. The 2012 may have offered more options, but the 2011's classic leather construction and simple replaceable midsole units made it a modern-day classic in every sense. All it was missing was Mike's in-game endorsement. With that, perhaps it receives its proper due as one of the best Air Jordans ever.