Everyone loves Jordans, but some of the most desirable pairs are ones that the average person will never get their hands on.
When sneakerheads tune in to NBA games and scan the court for the nicest kicks, there are often pairs that are never released to the public for purchase. Typically a different colorway from the original version(s) of the shoe, NBA players can customize “Player Exclusive” pairs of J’s, otherwise known as PEs.
Throughout NBA history, there are certain players who have dropped jaws with their Jordan PEs, leaving sneaker junkies feening for pairs that are unattainable.
Jordan Brand guys like Ray Allen, Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul have always brought the heat with their Jordan PEs, while even guys like Gary Payton and Mike Bibby have made contributions to the game.
As we highlight the best kicks around the NBA at The Sporting News this week, three members of our TSN staff — Nick Metallinos, Kyle Irving and Gilbert McGregor — have ranked their three all-time favorite pairs of Jordan PEs in NBA history.
Do some window shopping below.
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Ranking the best Jordan Player Exclusives
Nick Metallinos (@NickMetallinos):
1. Russell Westbrook’s “OKC” Jordan 3s
2. Michael Jordan’s “45” Space Jam 11s
3. Kobe Bryant’s “Kobe Bryant PE” Jordan 3s
At No. 1, the eye-catching OKC collar palate used with the Black Cement 3 color blocking is just an iconic look for me. I will go as far as to say — for me — this is probably my favorite Jordan 3 of all-time that is a non-OG colorway.
A lot of ‘heads will probably think this is blasphemous, but there is just something about this shoe that screams perfection to me. The Air Jordan 3 is one of the greatest silhouettes in history — of any sneaker — and the “OKC” PE is right up there with the best for me. The colours just mesh so perfectly on such an iconic sneaker.
At No. 2, the “Space Jam” is a shoe that Jordan Brand obviously retro’d many years later in 2016, but at the time that Mike wore them back in Game 4 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals, they were the holy grail.
It was during that series that Michael decided to switch back from “45” to his original “23,” but Michael still wore the Air Jordan XI Space Jam “45” sample during Game 4 of that series. For years sneakerheads wanted these, and finally in 2016 they got a chance to buy them.
I had trouble trimming this list down to just three, so some honorable mentions include: Ray Allen’s “Bucks Home” Jordan 7s and “Sonics Home” Jordan 5s, and MJ’s “True Blue Washington Wizards” Jordan 3s.
Kyle Irving (@KyleIrv_):
1. Ray Allen’s “Celtics” Jordan 11s
2. Chris Paul’s “Rockets” Jordan 3s
3. Carmelo Anthony’s “Melo” Jordan 12s
Allen’s “Celtics” Jordan 11s were a no-brainer at No. 1 for me. As a Celtics fan and sneaker junkie, I’ll never forget seeing the broadcast zoom in on Allen’s shoes as he warmed up for Ring Night in the 2008-09 season opener, rocking one Jordan 11 PE on his right foot and one Jordan 9 PE on his left foot.
The 11s have always been one of my favorite Jordans, and Allen ended up playing with the 11 PEs on both of his feet that night.
At No. 2, Paul closed the 2017-18 regular season in an exclusive pair of “Rockets” Jordan 3s. Very rarely, if ever, do you see the “elephant” print a different color other than the usual grey and black, giving those a very “1-of-1” feel to me.
And last but not least, Carmelo’s “Melo” Jordan 12s were always a classic because they were a staple of his rookie season. NBA Live 2005 was also one of my favorite video games growing up, and those were the kicks that Melo donned on the cover of the game.
Gilbert McGregor (@GMcGregor21):
1. Carmelo Anthony’s “Nuggets” Jordan 20s
2. Chris Paul’s “Hornets Home” Jordan 8s
3. Eddie Jones’ “Grizzlies” Jordan 14s
As an avid fan of sneakers for as long as I can remember, PEs hold a special place in my heart, meaning it was very difficult to choose just three. Very difficult.
Let’s start back at All-Star Weekend 2005, when Jordan Brand started its ad campaign for the 20s that were set to release. Seeing Melo with the “Nuggets” colorway at the Rookie Challenge made me fall in love with the 20s and I desperately wanted a pair in any color.
Fast forward a few months in 2005 and the Eddie Jones 14s are a pair I was fortunate enough to have gifted to me that year. This is a sentimental play for sure, but the color blocking sets these apart from any other 14 I’ve really seen.
To wrap, I gotta give it to Chris Paul’s 8s. This was the 2007-08 season when the Aquas returned for the first time and a White Aqua pair was created in women’s sizes only. These CPs were a twist on the women’s Aquas with a little more Hornets flair and looked awesome as CP went to work in a regular-season game against the Mavs… it had to be the shoes.
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