The All-Time Greatest Air Jordan PEs: Part 2

Boasting one of the most prodigious Air Jordan PE collections of any hooper, Ray Allen has a vault of classics that sneakerheads are still swooning over. The Boston Celtics Air Jordan 13 colourway is one of the cleanest we’ve seen from the 3-point metronome, the 2011 release paying homage to his championship run in Boston. Complete with Allen’s personal signature on the tongue, the AJ13 is a grail in any hoops-heads dream catalogue. Famously, the model was worn on-court when Allen hit his 2561st shot.

Chris Paul’s Air Jordan 11 ‘Clippers Away’ PE made our inaugural list of the best Air Jordan PEs, so it was only fitting that the Air Jordan 5 ‘Clippers Alternate’ made an appearance in volume two. Chalking up some of the most coveted Jordans in the game, this Clippers-themed colourway is arguably one of his best, the bold blue and red rendition celebrating his legendary stint in Lob City.

Back in 2016, the Puerto Rico Football Club made its debut in the NASL. A franchise owned by Carmelo Anthony, Jordan Brand paid homage to the achievement with a special edition Air Jordan 5 PE ‘PRFC’. Somehow (unsurprisingly) tracked down by PJ Tucker in 2021, the sneaker God wore them against the Charlotte Hornets. Carmelo’s only response? ‘Bro how…’

Made exclusively for the Hall of Fame centre, Shaquille O'Neal’s Air Jordan 9 came in his famous size 23, the regal purple and gold composition bearing aesthetic similarities to Kobe Bryant’s iconic Air Jordan PEs. Manufactured in a white base and purple patent leather outlines, personalisation came in the form of number 34 stitching on the heels. Can you imagine if Shaq Attack signed with the Jordan Brand? (Reportedly, the Jumpman label flirted with the idea after Shaq won his first championship with the Lakers in 2000.)

Who else remembers White Chocolate’s mesmerising play style? Mike Bibby will go down as one of the smoothest players to ever hit the hardwood. But his sneaker game was also super sweet, the Sacramento Kings guard lacing a mountain of Air Jordan PEs during his career. Our favourite is still the Air Jordan 13 Low ‘Kings Away’ model, the classic design worn during the 2004-05 season (where he averaged 19.6 points and 6.8 assists per game). Built in black reflective ballistic mesh and hairy purple suede overlays, Mike Bibby was one of the first players to regularly lace low-tops – of course now a staple in the league.

Another Ray Allen Jumpman grail, the Air Jordan 5 ‘Sonics’ PE was inspired by his time in Seattle. Personalised with number 34 stitching on the heel, the black and gold colourway will always trigger Supersonics nostalgia!

Chicago native Q-Rich laced some memorable Jumpman sneakers during his 13-season career in the NBA, the shooting guard playing between 2000 and 2013. Originally worn against the Miami Heat his final year, the Air Jordan 13 PE was composed in a similar colour palette to the OG ‘Black/Varsity Red’ release, but came with 'Q5' logos embroidered on the tongues in blue. Featuring the classic dimpled black ballistic mesh uppers with royal blue nubuck running along the heel and base of the shoe, the pair helped Richardson net 10 points and 9 rebounds. (Although the Orlando Magic eventually took the L 90-78, Q-Rich was nothing but Ws in his shoe game!)

All hail the Point God’s legendary sneaker collection! The Houston Rockets of course provide an auspicious colour palette when it comes to crafting sneakers, so it’s no surprise that Chris Paul’s Chicago-like Air Jordan 4 still cranks necks all these years later. Showing off the pair at his Five Four pop-up event at Alfred Coffee Melrose Place in Los Angeles, CP3’s sneakers were so hot they looked ‘Infrared’. Similar to the recent Air Jordan 4 ‘Red Thunder’ of 2022, the Rockets colourway is bittersweet for Houston fans, Chris Paul and James Harden so close to making the Finals in 2018 (sorry for the reminder, Rockets nation!).

The Black Mamba will always be remembered for his lethal sneaker game. In 2008, the Jordan Brand crafted a very special rendition of the underrepresented Air Jordan 8 for Kobe, the classic gold and purple colourway actually worn in-game against Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards. Mamba forever.

Another Air Jordan gridiron crossover, the Air Jordan 11 Deion Sanders PE was a veritable touchdown for both parties. One of the great entertainers of professional sport, Sanders only wore the cleats when visiting an arena with artificial surfaces (to protect the shoe!). Manufactured with burgundy patent overlays, white leather uppers, and yellow accents, the colourway took cues from the Washington uniform. The most salient design quality, however, was the ‘Prime Time’ nickname embroidered on the tongues and nubby turf outsole caps!

While Michael Jordan’s career with Washington didn’t live up to the hype of his universe-expanding time in Chicago, MJ nevertheless left his mark with both sneakers and play style. The best of the bunch was arguably the Air Jordan 3 ‘True Blue’, the PE channelling the OG colourway from 1988. MJ’s version was further personalised with copper accents replacing the usual red.

While Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk never actually signed with the Jordan Brand, he certainly knew how to stunt His Airness in style. Treated to a special edition Air Jordan 9 Low in 2002, the silhouette adopted eye-catching gold along the mudguards and clean white leather uppers. A customised sneaker for the 'Greatest Show on Turf’, the AJ9 PE featured the number 28 embroidered on the heels in white.