![[X/4500] 2017 Nike Air Jordan 17 XVII Retro Trophy Room Mens Size 12 AH7963-023](https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/F0QAAOSwJsBidXaA/s-l300.jpg)
Introducing the Air Jordan 17 and the Return of a Legend
While the Air Jordan 16 embraced the dichotomy of Michael Jordan, the then-retired player and businessman, the Air Jordan 17 was the first shoe designed for him since his return to the NBA.
Michael Jordan may not have been the same fiery young player he once was, but he was far from washed-up. In reality, his skill set and abilities had aged gracefully. During his career, MJ had developed an arsenal of moves and a high basketball IQ that deemed him one of the greatest improvers on the court.
The aim of the Air Jordan 17 was to fully represent where Jordan was in his career and life as a seasoned basketball player and living future-Hall-of-Famer.
Air Jordan 17's Top-Tier
Performance Specifications
Performance Specifications
The Air Jordan XVII wasn't just about dazzling design and slick packaging. Smith didn't hold back on performance and packed the shoe with a host of upgrades:
- Premium leather upper that's easy to clean
- Lightweight, stable design that enabled a multi-dimensional or explosive player like Mike to wear them without compromising support and comfort
- Wide squared toe box for roomier comfort
- Herringbone traction pads on the foot's pressure points
- Carbon fibre shank plate for superb lateral support
- Large Air unit in the TPU heel, Zoom Air unit in the forefoot
- Removable midfoot cover to either hide or show the lacings
Original Air Jordan
17 Colouways
17 Colouways
Unlike every other Air Jordan that debuted in some variation of black and red or white and red, the Jordan Brand changed things up to coincide with MJ's new Washington Wizards uniform.
In February 2002, the AJ 17 launched in a White/College Blue colourway, and Black/Metallic Silver 17s followed a month later. Fans yearning for a Bulls-like colourway had to wait until July of that year for the White/Varsity Red colourway.
For its next release in Copper, the brand tweaked the 17's design, eliminating the lace cover and adding faux crocodile detailing on the tongue and heel.
Over the course of the year, the Air Jordan 17 Low (which was more like a mid with an inner bootie construction) got released in three colours, the most popular being Lightning, which MJ wore in the 2002 NBA All-Star Game.
Also worth mentioning is an oddball slide-on shoe called the Air Jordan 17 Mule. Though it didn't get running shoe enthusiasts excited, its legacy lives on, and it's now considered a collector's item, especially if you can find a deadstock version.
Collectability and Resale
of the Air Jordan 17
Although the price seemed astonishing at the time, the Air Jordan 17 has undoubtedly become one of the most collectable post-Bulls era silhouettes. The shoe is remarkably designed and packaged, both of which appeal to collectors. Today, the CD and briefcase are pieces of nostalgia that can only be matched by picking up one of the original three colourways from 2002.
Depending on the size, condition and whether the CD/suitcase combo are included, OG Jordan 17s can sell for more than double or close to triple their original price. If you can't find a pair of those, consider a Copper AJ 17+ or a low-top style, which both typically sell at or below their original retail prices.
AJ 17's Smooth, Jazzy Design
Designed by Wilson Smith III, the Air Jordan 17 drew inspiration from jazz music, a genre as smooth, elegant and graceful as Jordan's game. Much like MJ's abilities on the court, the greatest jazz musicians boast an exceptional foundation of skills and experience that allows them to improvise in their respected art.
While the jazz theme symbolizes the shoe in its entirety, the most apparent styling cue is in the musical notes on the lace cover. The notes signify the melody to the lyrics "Michael Jordan, greatest to ever play the game" from jazz artist Mike Phillips' song entitled, "The Greatest."
Further improvising the jazz theme, the shoes came packaged in a large briefcase, similar to what a travelling musician would carry. It included a CD-ROM featuring behind-the-scenes content about the running shoes' design and performance attributes–with smooth jazz playing in the background.
Another inspiration for the Air Jordan 17's refined upper was the sleek yet luxurious lines of the Aston Martin sports car. The lace eyelets were reminiscent of the vehicle's aggressive fender vents. The metallic silver heel cup represented the brushed aluminium finish on the car's interior trim and the premium leather upper mimicked its high-quality leather seats.