Image via Complex Original
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On the occasion of the latest re-drop (and sellout) of the classic black/cement Air Jordan III, we here at Complex took it upon ourselves to rank all the major Air Jordan III drops, from Doernbecher to Do The Right Thing and all in between. You're welcome.
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14. Air Jordan III "Do the Right Thing"
Originally Released: 2007
Complex says: Well, they meant well. Part of a whole series of Jordan shoes meant to evoke the poster art of 1989's "Do the Right Thing," these sky blue Air Jordan IIIs featured yellow accents, green stitching, and a whole lot of attitude.
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13. Air Jordan III "Pure Money"
Originally Released: 2007
Complex says: Even before the Silver Anniversary, there were all-white Air Jordans. The "Pure Money" III added in some light grey elephant print and chrome accents so it wasn't all monochrome, but white-on-whites are still a challenge outside of the summer months.
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12. Air Jordan III "Mocha"
Originally Released: 2001
Complex says: The "Mocha" Air Jordan III has enjoyed an interesting lifespan. Shunned at the first, beloved belated, and all but forgotten now, the first "lifestyle" take on the Air Jordan III used a very un-Jordan brown on the elephant print, outsoles and upper lace loops along with all-white everything else.
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11. Air Jordan III "Black Cat"
Originally Released: 2007
Complex says: It's hard to go wrong with a pair of murdered-out Air Jordans. Thing is, with the III, much of the appeal lies in the details, which are tougher to find on an all-black shoe. That said, the differing textures and materials added some depth to the style.
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10. Air Jordan III "Cool Grey"
Originally Released: 2007
Complex says: There is actually no "Cool Grey" on the "Cool Grey" Air Jordan III, and the sunny yellow and traditional red Jumpman gave them a little pop.
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9. Air Jordan III "Stealth"
Originally Released: 2011
Complex says: While quite similar to the "Cool Grey" III, the Air Jordan III "Stealth" used darker tones to make it a little more, um, stealthy. The lizard-print mudguard was a nice touch, too — and the black tongue with the red Jumpman referenced the "Fire Red" Air Jordan Vs. Black laces are recommended.
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8. Air Jordan III "Flip"
Originally Released: 2007
Complex says: Well, if nothing else this was a totally new way to re-work the classic Air Jordan III silhouette — take the iconic elephant print and put it everywhere it wasn't supposed to be (and nowhere where it was), turning an accent into a primary feature.
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7. Air Jordan III "Black Flip"
Originally Released: 2011
Complex says: OK, fine, they're technically not out yet. But the "Black Flip" III is well beyond the "hurried cell phone pic" stage, and we're 99.9 percent sure these will be hitting shelves soon. So they get a spot. The black cement print gives them a degree of subtlety that the whites didn't have, and the tumbled leather on the heel and toe seems more luxurious.
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6. Air Jordan III "Doernbecher"
Originally Released: 2010
Complex says: Created as part of Nike's "Doernbecher Freestyle" program by Cole Johanson, the 2010 drop represented a whole new take on the "Bred" colorway. Tonal red elephant print and a clear outsole separated them from the pack and breathed new life into the 22-year-old silhouette.
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5. Air Jordan III "Black History Month"
Originally Released: 2011
Complex says: Sure, from a distance these aren't so different from the Black Cats, but they earn the higher spot based off of details and purpose. The elephant print was replaced with lasered detailing, and the stitching and highlights were done in gold. Classy.
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4. Air Jordan III "White/Cement"
Originally Released: 1988
Complex says: The shoe that saved Nike. No, that's not an overstatement. When Tinker Hatfield designed the Air Jordan III, Michael Jordan was somewhat fed up with Nike and considering leaving. By the time the presentation for the III (AKA the "Air Jordan Revolution") was over, he wasn't going anywhere. The white/cement III wound up being in one of the most iconic Jordan photos ever.
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3. Air Jordan III "True Blue"
Originally Released: 1988
Complex says: Let's forget for the moment that MJ wore these in his final go-round as a Wizard and remember instead that these were one of the first mass-market Jordans sold in non-Bulls colors (the many, many colorways of the Air Jordan 1 are still something of a mystery). The elephant print around the lace loops was exclusive to this colorup, and the red (Jumpman) white and blue scheme foreshadowed Dream Team status.
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2. Air Jordan III "Fire Red"
Originally Released: 1988
Complex says: Playoffs? The "Fire Red" IIIs turned the "White/Cement" home version up to 11 with more red, darker elephant print, and a lighter grey around the lace loops. If any version of the Air Jordan III could use another retro, it's these. It doesn't get much better aesthetically.
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1. Air Jordan III "Black/Cement"
Originally Released: 1988
Complex says: The best of the best. Young Money wore these in the 1988 All-Star Game in Chicago where he won MVP in front of the hometown fans, and in several iconic Mars Blackmon commercials and print ads. When you say "Air Jordan III" to an old head, these are the ones they picture first. Trust.
