The Top 5 Air Jordan Commercials
February 19th, 2008 at 11:13 amBy Chris
In honor of the Jordan XX3 commercial that came out this past weekend—just in time for the NBA’s All-Star Weekend celebration—we’ve decided to countdown the best Air Jordan commercials; a job made considerably easier thanks to the Air Jordan Commercial List from the NikeTalk forum.
Is It The Shoes? - circa 1990
The best of the Mars Blackmon commercials. Bonus: “Do you know, do you know, do you know” became big part of the daily lexicon back in the day. It even superseded Nike’s “Just Do It” motto.
Rockababy - circa 1987
My personal favorite. The beatbox and the dunk go so well together.
9000 Shots - circa 1997
Pat Riley once said he thought this was the best Air Jordan commercial ever. He’s close. Again, this is another look into what makes Mike Mike and it’s damn effective. Even with all those missed shots he discusses, he’d still be overall pick to take a last shot on my team. At any time.
Fake Retirement - circa 1993
This is just an awesome look at Air’s first stint away from the game and his foray into Minor League Baseball. Even Jordan had fun with it, calling himself a “weak hitting outfielder,” and making fun of his $16 a day per diem—an allowance I’m sure he needed.
Respect - circa 2001
Michael Jordan + Mos Def + Nike’s production money = classic. Of course, it helps that Mos’ song is so very awesome and it’s being used to describe the best basketball player in the world… well, that and his then fledgling Jumpman brand. What would you do if Air Jordan came walking into your neighborhood gym to play pick-up?
That’s what I thought. Here’s the full music video version if you are so inclined.
Honorable Mentions
Here are some of the ones that could’ve made our above Top 5, but didn’t.
Overjoyed - circa 2000
Stevie Wonder and Michael Jordan. Sounds like a winner to me.
Banned - circa 1985
This gem is from Jordan’s rookie year when he still had some hair on his head. I wonder if the NBA would ban his shoes now? Yeah, right.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Who knew we’d look back at Jordan’s Nikes and think, wow, those really weren’t that expensive compared to what’s out today.
Whatever happened to Mars Blackmon? Career kind of crater once Nike went bye bye.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Nice list, I like the Mary J. Blige rendition of “Overjoyed”…
but overall my favorite commercial was the “100 foot rim” for the Jordan XI’s
February 20th, 2008 at 1:44 am
How could you forget Jordan XXI, with all of the playground kids re-enacting Jordan’s greatest moments?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qSrRKggqpZ4
February 24th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
The best one of all time is ‘frozen moment’ ..these here don’t even come close to the best.
February 24th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Uriel, that’s certainly your opinion, but, the one you referenced fails in comparison. It’s average. At best. Simple camera tricks are no comparison for Mos-Def, Mars Blackmon, or the second version’s commercials with the beatbox. If you want slo-mo edits, watch the Matrix.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:58 am
[...] whatever you want about Nike’s ridiculously priced shoes and related apparel but there’s one thing Phil Knight’s company knows how to do: market [...]
June 5th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Those old school nike commericals were the best.
August 15th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Great MJ commercial collection. He made the best commercials. LeBron is #2 in the commercial department. Kobe tries too hard.
August 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Thanks for the words, ethan. Kobe’s viral “commercials” were teh suck.
December 11th, 2008 at 11:07 am
[...] does this new one rank among the some of the all-time greats? Seeing how it’s more of an encapsulation of his career, the commercial does its job quite [...]