Air Jordan XXI - The New Nike Air Jordan XXI Sneaker

At last night's NBA All-Star game, Lebron James was named as as the game MVP. But other than basketball, All Star Weekend is known as the Academy Awards weekend for basketball sneakers - the weekend when the pros wear their newest shoes and the companies unveil the newest products and fashion lines. The MVP of the sneaker wars? Well... the Nike Air Jordan XXI was the talk of Houston and is now featured on NikeTown for $175. Personally, my feeling is that the Nike Air Jordan series went downhill in the last few years - featuring more on big bucks and gadgetry than on style and performance - what initially made the Air Jordans so great.

The Nike Air Jordan XXI is - performance-wise - a great sneaker (see the product details below). It has superior traction, decent weight and a strong support. Style wise though - I believe that the Air Jordan XXI is more Adidas and TMac looking than Nike or Air Jordan. While these are great shoes and must-haves for any Nike collector - the accolades and attention this shoe are receiving or bizarre to me...

Nike's Product Details for the Air Jordan XXI

*  Luxurious Italian suede and rich full-grain leather upper cradles the foot in comfort and ensures a sophisticated, smooth look.
* Durable engineered textile in the forefoot offers breathability and support in key performance areas.
* Extended heel counter construction provides enhanced ankle support.
* Foam-backed quilted collar works with seamless booty construction for maximum comfort.
* Breathable mesh in the tongue dissipates heat; adjustable tongue cover flips up for a technical look, down for more sophistication.
* Fully double-lasted Phylon midsole delivers a low-profile stance.
* Evolved Independent Podular Suspension (IPS) includes interchangeable cushioning technology with customizable heel zoom pillar or heel encapsulated pillar.
* Carbon fiber shank plate offers midfoot and arch support.
* IPS technology works with the outsole through raised herringbone pods for strategic traction.
* New innovative outsole pattern delivers multidirectional traction.

The Product Details above are from Nike