Air Jordans at Finish Line - \r
\r
More info on the Air Jordan 8 - \r
\r
Subscribe to Finish Line: \r
\r
Air Jordan History Playlist: \r
\r
Host: Jacques Slade - \r
\r
Air Jordan 8: Behind The Design \r
\r
After two championships and an Olympic gold, the Air Jordan 8 had a lot to live up to. Luckily, Tinker was up for the job and so was Michael Jordan. \r
\r
This is the Air Jordan 8 and the story behind the shoe. \r
\r
After the lightweight and minimal style of the Air Jordan 7, Tinker reverted back to the padded style of the previous models for the Air Jordan 8. From the ankle to the tongue, the Air Jordan 8 was a lot more cushioned than its predecessor. Many who played in the Air Jordan 8 also felt the shoe ran warmer than the others as well, an attribute to the extra padding found on the shoe. \r
\r
As we get into the Jordan 8, we start to identify small nuances in the way that Tinker designs. For instance the midsole of the 8 looks similar to the shape of the midsole of the Jordan 7, but Tinker added a larger mudguard that gave the model a more dramatic look. Tinker also brought over the inner booty from the Air Jordan 7 for a comfortable and snug fit. What was new was the strap that was added to the upper of the Air Jordan 8 to help keep MJ locked in. \r
\r
For the marketing campaign, Nike continued to use Bugs Bunny, though the presence of Nike on the upper was scrapped for this model as well. Only three colorways of the Air Jordan 8 were produced and they all got a nickname, “Bugs Bunny” because of the marketing tie-in, the “Aqua”, which Jordan wore during the All-Star game, and the “Playoffs”, because he wore them in the playoffs. Fans of the Air Jordan 8 will also note the unique tongue on the shoe, which featured a carpet-like Jumpman logo. \r
\r
MJ also did his part to make the Air Jordan 8. Fresh off his olympic gold, Jordan went into the 92-93 season full steam and racked up plenty of awards, first team All-NBA, first team All-Defense, his eighth consecutive All-Star game, seventh straight league scoring title, NBA Finals MVP, collected his third Bulls Championship, and completed his First 3-Peat. Since the shoes original launch, it has been retroed several times in a few different colors, with a low-top version making an appearance back in 2007. \r
\r
Oddly enough, many people considered the Air Jordan 8 heavy to play in. Maybe Mike sensed that because he retired for the first time after this season, maybe he needed something different. The weight of being one of the greatest was starting to weigh on his shoulders. Whether or not that is the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that the Air Jordan 8 brought him even closer to being the greatest basketball player of all-time. \r
\r
I am your host Jacques Slade, and this is the Air Jordan 8.
