Jordan Brand Spiz’ike

By Craig Kwasniewski

Is Spike Lee a traitor?

Last week, Jordan Brand released the Jordan Spiz’ike shoes, a tribute to Michael Jordan and Spike Lee’s historic relationship. The Spiz’ike was limited to 4,032 pairs with all of the proceeds from the sale to benefit Morehouse College.

And suddenly we hear that Mars Blackmon's now directing commercials for Converse (D-Wade's new kicks, the Freethrow 55).

Nothing wrong with finding different ways to bring in some cash, but couldn't he just wait a few weeks?

The kicks, which retailed for $175, were a limited release on the East Coast on October 21st. As described on kicksandthecity.com:

In celebration of their historic relationship, Jordan Brand and Spike Lee have come together to design the Jordan Brand Spiz’ike, a combination of the Jordan III, IV, V, VI, and XX. A relationship that began in the late 80’s through Nike’s agency Widen + Kennedy, Spike’s character, Mars Blackmon, and Michael Jordan became the defacto faces of the then emerging Jordan legacy. A key ingredient in helping to mold the image of the then young Jordan line, Spike Lee contributed to each sneaker represented through the Spiz’ike including his most recent return to the brand last year with the Air Jordan XX.

The designers behind the Jordan Spiz’ike took the most discernible characteristics of the Jordan III, IV, V, VI, and XX and combined them onto one upper. The Air Jordan III is represented through the cement print and sole of the sneaker, the wings of the Jordan IV are placed at the ankles of the sneaker, the netting, ankle, lacelock, and the overall shape of the sneaker are taken from the Jordan V, the Jordan VI is represented through its classic tongue, and the lasering on the Jordan XX makes another appearance on the sockliner of the Spiz’ike. In addition to the obvious Jordan design characteristics, Spike Lee’s Mars Blackmon character and his “40 Acres and a Mule” logo are placed on the back of the kix.

I can't decide if these are the ugliest shoes or just uniquely cool. Given the limited release and the expected raping on ebay ($400), I'll never know.

Editor's note: yaysports.com correctly pointed out that Nike purchased Converse a little while back. Misguided premise and lack of research... Mark Heisler just called to welcome me to the "NBA Columnist Club."

Anyway, here's a few pics of the Spiz’ike's:

Comments

[James]

Doesn't Nike own Converse now? If so, this is hardly a questionable move.

[Craig]

Good point James, I completely forgot about that. I added an "editor's note" to the post correcting my mistake.

[Brett]

Dude those are hideous. I'm all for limited edition kicks, but YIKES those are awful.

[John R]

Patently gross. Immediately destroy any patterns or machines involved with making those. In fact, destroy any sweatshop workers too so noone will remember how to build them again.

[emmett]

maybe the worst shoe Nike's ever made?

if they weren't "limited" i can't believe anyone would buy them....

[John R]

Damnit I'm posting again. The Jordan V is the most amazing show ever made. I can't believe this happened. One more reason to hate Spike Lee.

[Craig]

Good point John! The shoe almost looks like the Jordan V. They probably did that intentionally because there's like 8 different Jordan V's coming out this fall/winter.

I first thought the shoe was a gag by Nike just to see if there would be fakes coming out of the far east, but based on the online buzz, this thing is very real and very popular. Check out ebay and "the Flight Club" for prices on the shoes (near $500!).

[geebs]

i guess i'm the only one feelin' these shoes on this site... (outside of the tongue, which is hideous...) btw: that new LBJ Nike commercial w/ the looped up "summer madness" soundtrack is FIRE.

[AIR JORDAN RETRO MELO 23]

THESE SHOES ARE HOT I WOULD ROCK THOSE WITH MY RED BASKETBALL JERSEY AINT NOBODY ROCK THESE KICKS YET I WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE TO ONLY ROCK THESE AT SCHOOL AND IN THE STREET I PROUBLY BE ROBBED FOR THESE SHOES BUT I GOT HEAT FOR THEM.

[tisha]

these shoes are hard. i am mad they won't hit the midwest until march. me and my boo will have a pair

[mars blackmon]

HOW CAN YOU DISS THESE SHOES THEY ARE HOT.I MEAN IT'S COMBINED WITH 5 AIR JORDAN SNEAKERS HOW COOL IS THAT, AND SPIKE LEE AKA MARS BLACKMON IS ON THE SHOE IT DOSN'T GET MORE BETTER THAN THAT.

[mars blackmon]

WHOEVER DISS THESE SHOES YOU SUCK.

[www.myspace.com/rozwellonline]

Yooooooo
Im getting these
the combined the hottest Jays ever
the 3 are my fav
and the double on the sole
thats amazing
im gettin custom hoody 4 is
big ups spike

[Breyun]

I think them shoes look alright that was creative. I think you should blend the retro 6,7,and 8 together like you did your shoes

[West Jax]

I like how you blended the retro 3,4,and 5 that junk look sweet but make some more colors not so odd this time spike peace

[flex]

ya crazy these shits is hot...thats why they only came out with 4,032 pairs and i got one..who ever got them is a fan...im 28 and i been following them since i was 8 when my moms bought them shits for me..they tight period..

[flex]

i will sell them who wants them there size 10 they run big never worn i was waiting till the new year to rock them..who wants to beat me at that..email..mme ironfist978@yahoomail.com

[Chaunna]

Ummmm...
I love them. I think they are great.

[Shawn Moore]

Are they selling the Mars Blackmons on the west coast on Jan 27, 2007

[yesdrik]

were can i buy a pair of these online, and are original
please help me.
yesdrikdiaz@hotmail.com

[selz]

all ya niggaz quit hatin on j's fall back

dipset

[vic]

them shits is crack crack crack where can i get em arond the ct area or florida the white ones are better then the black ones because were the greens at holla

[Nickito Johnson]

can i please have a pair of them, i must, they look so dam good

[2rish]

i need a size 10 please 4 my bebos,its our 1 year and his b/day! it will make him 1 happy guy!and that means 1 happy me!^-^
so why not make 2 people happy with 1 pair of 10's

[Milano10]

I have size 10 in Black. Brand new in the box. Any interest? Email me at hunasreddin@yahoo.com