Image via Complex Original
The Air Jordan IX has one of the most interesting stories of all the Air Jordan signature models. Not because of an elaborate marketing scheme, but rather, the fact that MJ decided to walk away from the hardwood and pick up a different kind of leather — the baseball glove type. Jordan may have never worn the Air Jordan IX on the basketball court for the Chicago Bulls, but he made sure to wear it on the baseball diamond. There's been a number of great colorways placed on the Air Jordan IX — this year alone has been loaded — but here are the 10 Best Air Jordan IX Colorways of All Time.
10. Air Jordan IX "Bentley Ellis"
Year Released: 2012
The Bentley Ellis version of the Air Jordan IX was a perfect colorway for Washington Redskins fans, Cleveland Cavaliers fans, USC Trojans fans and the many other teams that use the burgundy and gold hues as their team colors. For old school Jordan 'heads, the tie to USC and the memories of Harold Miner, aka Baby Jordan, made these a must have for the possibilities that never quite fully unfolded from the former Trojan high-flyer.
9. Air Jordan IX "Doernbecher"
Year Released: 2012
The Doernbecher line has a tendency to be a little over the top for some people. The charity initiative gives kids at the Doernbecher Children's Hospital a chance to create their own sneakers and this year's Air Jordan IX was treated with incredible details by Oswaldo Jimenez.
8. Air Jordan IX "Cool Grey"
Year Released: 2002
Cool Grey had been seen a year prior on the Air Jordan XI but when the colorway returned on the Air Jordan IX, 'heads took notice. The combination of patent leather and nubuck made this version a must-have for many.
7. Air Jordan IX "Johnny Kilroy"
Year Released: 2012
The Johnny Kilroy alter ego pack that released this year was stacked with good colorways but the Kilroy version had all the right elements to make it stand out. While initially the silver mudguard was thought by many to be patent, the final production version opted for a traditional finish, which in hindsite was a good call for Jordan Brand.
6. Air Jordan IX "Olive"
Year Released: 1993
The Olive IX is one of the first colorways to hit the Jordan signature line that was clearly not tied to a team colorway. These type of colorways later became known as "lifestyle" releases but the without MJ set to wear the IX due to his leaving the NBA, Jordan Brand pushed the color envelope and we're glad they did.
5. Air Jordan IX "Citrus"
Year Released: 2010
In 2010, Jordan Brand dropped the Black and Citrus colorway of the Air Jordan IX. The reviews were initially mixed but the resemblence of these to those seen on the feet of MJ's kids, Jeff and Marcus' PE colorways, made the black and yellow combo the perfect kicks to ride around listening to Wiz Khalifa's Balck and Yellow, even if you weren't from Pittsburgh.
4. Air Jordan IX "Motorboat Jones"
Year Released: 2012
Hard to believe that a 2012 release could land so high on this list but when it comes to Jordans and Chicago, this is about as spot on as it gets. It doesn't hurt that Nate Robinson has been hitting the United Center in these on the regular this season.
3. Air Jordan IX "White/Black/Red"
Year Released: 1993
Classic. The Original colorway of the Air Jordan IX is one of the best Jordans of all time that Michael Jordan never wore on the court. We can imagine, though. Plus, we saw enough of these on some other famous feet to make them unforgettable.
2. Air Jordan IX "Charcoal"
Year Released: 1994
Charcoal IXs are like the dark side of The Force when it comes to the Air Jordan IX. While the Olives repped for the "lifestyle" side with a colorway that was never intended for basketball courts, and the OG and Powder Blue versions held it down for the brighter side of things, the Dark Charcoal and black combination made this colorway evil in the best of ways.
1. Air Jordan IX "Powder Blue"
Year Released: 1993
In most cases, anything associated with Michael Jordan in terms of colorways, Chicago reigns supreme. With the Air Jordan IX, however, the tasteful placement of Dark Powder Blue, which perfectly matched the North Carolina Tarheels jerseys that Nike released around the same time these dropped back in 1993, takes this colorway to another level. It was the first time that the Jordan signature series ever received the Carolina colors, and even when it returned in 2010. We can't help but think of MJ sitting there in the full uni. GOAT.