Jordan CP3 VI – The Gym Rat Review

December 28, 2013May 18, 2014 jtsittler Performance Reviews

TGRR Year in Performance Reviews

Prose: Jake Sittler (@jtsittler)

With the end of 2013 quickly approaching, I thought we’d take a quick look back at every shoe we’ve reviewed here at TGRR. With Finch and I both wrapping up our college days and entering the real world, this site has been a great creative outlet and a way to keep both of us in the shoe game. It helped me get my first real job and kept me writing and editing.

Finch and I both also still play a lot of competitive ball (our latest league championship was won just two weeks ago) and we’re always looking for the best performance products. Focusing on how a shoe really performs – not just the colorways or hype that it gets – is something that gets lost in the sneaker community at times. At TGRR, we try to keep on-court performance at the forefront.

Hyperdunk 2012 Low

Reviewer: Sittler
Pros: Fit and lockdown; plays smooth and low to the ground; lightweight
Cons: Traction could be better; midsole/cushioning breaks down too quickly; not enough impact protection
Verdict: A nice alternative to the midcut Hyperdunk, the Hyperdunk Low gives you great fit and court feel. But the cushioning wore out much too quickly for my taste and I felt the lack of impact protection in my knees and hips after just a couple months of wearings.

Nike Zoom Hyperdisruptor

Reviewer: Finch
Pros: Heel lockdown; lightweight; traction; plush Zoom cushioning
Cons: Midsole is too flexible, creating various issues; outsole separated from shoe after a couple of weeks
Verdict: A lightweight shoe that’s nice to play in initially, but the flimsy midsole hurts performance in a variety of ways. The Zoom bags aren’t as responsive as they should be, there’s not enough structure or rigidity through the heel-toe transition, and there’s simply a lack of support due to the soft midsole and no shank. Plenty of durability concerns. Also probably overpriced at $130.

Jordan CP3.VI

Reviewer: Sittler
Pros: Podulon cushioning has been refined and improved; traction is top-notch; smooth transition and low to the ground feel
Cons: Upper a little stiff, leading to fit being not quite snug; Achilles pad is comfortable but tough to get full heel lockdown
Verdict: The CP3.VI is an elite guard shoe. It featured some of the best traction and cushioning of any shoe I’ve tested and the whole shoe just played well. I wasn’t a fan of the fit – I couldn’t get a glove-like, snug fit with the Fuse upper being kind of stiff – but I do have a narrow foot and that may be more a reflection of my own needs than the shoe itself. If the shoe fit me better through the midfoot and heel, I really would have loved it. It’s an extremely comfortable shoe as far as cushioning goes, and it was immediately added to the off-court rotation.

Nike Flyknit Lunar1+
Reviewer: Kim

Nike Air Way Up

Reviewer: Finch
Pros: Ankle, tongue and heel padding; supportive midsole
Cons: Poor transition; traction doesn’t meet modern standards; bulkier shoe than most of today’s models
Verdict: It’s probably better served as an off-court shoe, but it was still fun to see how a 90s retro compares today. The leather build and interior padding were great from a quality standpoint, but the shoe just doesn’t play like the current options out there.

adidas Crazyquick

Reviewer: Sittler
Pros: Flexible and low to the ground; excellent traction and lateral stability; fit is the best of any shoe I’ve ever had
Cons: Midsole doesn’t have a ton of support (it’s not built for that); runs very narrow – good for me, bad for a lot of folks
Verdict: The Crazyquick is shoe 1b for me this year. I absolutely loved it. I’ve never worn a shoe that played so low to the ground and allowed for such quick changes of direction. The shoe actually gave me confidence, in the sense that I knew I could play and move exactly like I needed to with it on my feet. The fit, with a Techfit upper and extended Sprintframe, was like a glove.

Nike KD V Elite

Reviewer: Sittler
Pros: Snug fit from heel to toe; quality materials used throughout
Cons: Stiff and rigid midsole; cushioning neither soft nor responsive; traction not as good as most I tested
Verdict: The KD V Elite was the one Elite model I was most excited to try out this year (because it differed so much from the base shoe) and I was wholly disappointed. While I loved the lockdown and support from the premium upper materials (including plenty of carbon fiber), the transition was poor thanks to a very stiff chassis. The cushioning was overly firm – from the outsole to the midsole, it just wasn’t an enjoyable setup underfoot.

Nike Hyperdunk 2013

Reviewer: Sittler
Pros: Excellent fit, flexible with great lockdown; overall comfort
Cons: Midsole support leaves some to be desired; Lunarlon cushioning
Verdict: The Hyperdunk 2013 will probably the shoe you see on court more than any other this year, and for good reason. It’s a great all-around performer that will fit a variety of player types. It’s good – but not great – in a lot of areas, with the most glaring being a lack of support in the midsole. A more substantial shank would have been a huge bonus. But the fit and lockdown are great, and it’s a shoe I’d recommend.

Nike Zoom Hyperquickness

Reviewer: Finch
Pros: Zoom cushioning setup; traction is excellent; overall value at $105
Cons: Fuse upper is a little stiff, doesn’t hug the foot; Fuse isn’t quite as high quality as other models
Verdict: At $105, the Hyperquickness is a good value for budget-conscious hoopers. You’re not going to get an overly refined shoe from a fit standpoint, but the cushioning and traction are solid and the Hyperfuse upper is plenty durable.

Nike Free Flyknit
Reviewer: Kim

Under Armour Micro G Anatomix Spawn

Reviewer: Sittler
Pros: Midfoot support system is excellent; Micro G cushioning is responsive as ever; lockdown is perfect
Cons: Traction pattern is not deep enough and is poor on even slightly dirty courts
Verdict: Along with the Crazyquick, this is shoe 1a for me. The fit and lockdown are as good as any shoe on the market. Micro G cushioning doesn’t get enough respect, and it proves to be both responsive and stable in the Anatomix Spawn. The midfoot TPU frame is one of the coolest support systems I’ve seen and it actually works too. A great overall shoe that will probably be ignored by too many people.

adidas Adizero Crazy Light 3

Reviewer: Sittler
Pros: Extremely light; plays low to the ground
Cons: Cushioning is firm and a little slappy; lacing system and fit are sloppy; midsole is barely there
Verdict: The Crazy Light 3 is, in fact, light. But that’s just about all the benefit I could glean from the shoe. The cushioning is fairly responsive considering how thin it is, but it just doesn’t offer much impact protection or general comfort/support. I could never really get true lockdown thanks to a poorly designed lacing system (needs more eyelets) and the upper itself felt too thin and cheap.

Jordan CP3.VII

Reviewer: Sittler
Pros: Excellent use of materials; cushioning provides both impact protection and responsiveness; traction is very good
Cons: Couldn’t get perfect lockdown; shape of the footbed didn’t personally suit me
Verdict: The CP3.VII is undeniably a great on court option – but it didn’t fit me all that well. Each aspect of the shoe was very good, even excellent, except for the fit and that is too crucial for me to ignore. Make sure you try them on first before ordering, but you’ll get great cushioning, traction and quality from the CP3.VII.

Jordan XX8 SE

Reviewer: Sittler
Pros: Midfoot support with Flight Plate chassis; heel fit and overall fit; Proplate Zoom setup is awesome
Cons: Lack of customization with 5 eyelets in the lacing system; Zoom bag blew out within 10 wearings
Verdict: I loved everything about the shoe until the Zoom bag blew out. Normally, it could be chalked up to a freak occurrence but I’ve seen a pair of regular XX8s – with same cushioning/midsole setup – have the same issue. Both shoes had a huge bulge develop along the vertical line in the forefoot Zoom bags. Other than that, the shoe was awesome. The Zoom setup was super responsive, carbon fiber was used strategically and effectively; it was simply a great performer on-court.

Moving forward, we have a couple of reviews on deck. Finch will be supplying us with a Jordan Super.Fly2 review in the near future, and is excited to cop the Nike Zoom Crusader for his next review. I’ll be copping Kyrie Irving’s Zoom HyperRev (as soon as my voucher comes back from Nike for my XX8 SEs that blew out) and reviewing them next. The HyperRev is certainly a unique silhouette, but I’m interested to see how much support will come from a Phylite midsole (with a full-length Zoom bag). We’re looking forward to a new year and a plethora of new shoes to review here at TGRR.

June 30, 2013September 21, 2013 jtsittler Performance Reviews

Performance Review: Long-term Updates

Prose: Jake Sittler (@jtsittler)

We’ve got performance reviews for seven different models already in our archives, with yours truly responsible for four of them. The Nike Hyperdunk Low 2012, Jordan CP3.VI, adidas Crazyquick and Nike KD V Elite are the four models I’ve had the pleasure of hooping in. While you can hit any of the links and read the full review, I wanted to give you guys a quick update on how each of the shoes progressed in terms of performance over time.

Nike Hyperdunk Low 2012
Review posted: 1/29/13

The Hyperdunk Low really impressed me in terms of fit and lockdown, with the Dynamic Flywire doing a better than expected job in both departments. Fit is an important aspect of the performance of any pair of shoes, but is especially crucial in a low-top basketball shoe because so little material is used for lockdown. The Hyperdunk Low did not disappoint and I continued to feel secure and strapped in when it came to the fit, no matter how many games I put it through.

However, after 5-6 weeks of playing in them, I really noticed the Lunarlon cushioning go flat. I felt that the foam used simply compacted and lost a lot of responsiveness. I know plenty in the sneaker community are fans of Lunar foam, and I’ll admit that the cushioning setup does form to your foot – thus improving the fit even more. I simply don’t think it holds up as long as it should, especially given the price of the shoe. It got bad enough on my knees that I eventually switched over to the CP3.VI full-time, as its Podulon cushioning setup was one of my favorites so far.

Jordan CP3.VI
Review posted: 3/15/13

The CP3.VI was really close to being an elite performance shoe – and it was still really, really good. The Podulon cushioning, as mentioned before, was awesome. The targeted zones were well-placed and allowed for excellent responsiveness and transition through the footstrike. Traction was top-notch too, with a deep herringbone pattern featuring flex grooves at precisely the right points. The traction remains some of the best I’ve had on a performance hoops shoe.

The only complaint I had with the shoe had to do with the fit, especially near the heel. The achilles pad, so often used in the CP3 line, really hindered the lockdown at the heel. It was just impossible to get total lockdown with the pad in the way. It’s great for comfort; not so great for lockdown. I also felt that the Fuse upper – while proving to be extremely durable – didn’t give me a perfect either simply because the material was too thick or stiff to fully conform to my foot.

adidas adipure Crazyquick
Review posted: 5/13/13

The Crazyquick is easily my favorite shoe of the bunch and one of my all-time favorites in terms of performance (alongside the Kobe VI, Zoom BB2 and Zoom Drive). I’m currently playing in it for all competitive games and have been switching it out with the KD V Elite for workouts. The fit is simply fantastic. It’s snug and locks you into the midsole from heel to toe thanks to the Techfit upper and Sprintframe chassis. There’s been a lengthy debate concerning the cushioning and whether it’s plush enough, but to me it allows the shoe to function perfectly. The Crazyquick plays low to the ground with excellent court feel – thus giving up some impact protection – but the shoe’s responsiveness and lateral stability are unrivaled.

Nike KD V Elite
Review posted: 6/11/13

While it’s not as “long-term” of an update, here’s a few final thoughts on the most recently tested model, the KD V Elite. The KD V Elite was a shoe that I was eager to test out, but simply didn’t meet the expectations set up by the Elite title, high-end materials and price point. The technology isn’t in question – it’s riddled with high-performance parts. Caged Zoom Air, carbon fiber shank and heel counter, and a Flywire-based upper are more than enough when it comes to tech. It’s just those pieces don’t function as well as they should.

The Zoom cushioning is hampered by poor, slappy transition that saps its responsiveness. The chassis was simply too stiff to allow for smooth heel-toe transition for those of us that are heel-strikers. The fit was extremely snug and lockdown was tight, but there wasn’t a comfort level that I was used to in the CP3.VI or Crazyquick. I loved the low cut and the fit, but the shoe simply felt too stripped down for its high-performance elements.

March 15, 2013January 12, 2016 jtsittler Featured, Performance Reviews

Performance Review: Jordan CP3.VI

Prose: Jake Sittler (@jtsittler)

Weight: 12.3 oz
Size Tested: 11
Colorway: Metallic Silver/Black/Challenge Red/Tour Yellow

If there’s an overarching theme with Chris Paul’s signature Jordan line, it’s that the shoes are typically solid but leave something to be desired. You’ll always get reliable traction, Podulon cushioning (starting with the CP3.III) and a reinforced toe to protect against toe drag, but something about each of his past signatures has been missing from a performance standpoint.

The original CP3 featured a visible Air unit and details that became a staple of the line – “61xty” was printed on the heel and paying homage to Paul’s late grandfather has been a design element on each successive shoe. It came in at a $115 price point and the nubuck upper was a nice touch, but the shoe wasn’t ready to compete with the top performance models.

The CP3.II was a gorgeous, sleek silhouette but the rigid midsole piece, high arch and oddly placed flex point under the forefoot really hindered heel-toe transition and overall comfort. The CP3.III introduced Podulon cushioning but had a stiff upper that compromised the fit and flexibility.

The IV featured Zoom Air in the heel, Podulon in the forefoot and a Fuse-like midfoot panel, but the performance reviews revealed a bottom-heavy feel thanks to a thick midsole. The CP3.V, to me, was way too stiff through the upper. The Fuse material and synthetics used were durable but just weren’t conducive to the great fit and flexibility that I prefer.

With the CP3.VI, Jordan Brand got it right, and the shoe is an absolute joy to play in.

Fit
I again went a half-size down in order to get a more snug fit from the start (I actually played a couple hours of pickup ball in an 11.5 but returned them for an 11 the next day). The last used for the midsole and outsole isn’t overly narrow and should accommodate a most players. The Fuse-based upper fits snug and the inner bootie also aids in the overall fit. The lockdown is very good, perhaps not quite as snug as the Hyperdunk Lows I was playing in, but the overall package of the last, midsole, Fuse upper and inner bootie is solid. The shoe is very stable through the heel and I have no security issues planting or cutting at full-speed, even on dirty courts.

The Achilles pad is a nice touch in terms of comfort, but compromises the fit.

I do have a slight issue with how the shoes lace up, though. For whatever reason – I believe because of the stiff nature of the Fuse upper – I can’t get the fit to stay super snug when I tighten the laces of the bottom eyelets. I’ll tighten through the first couple of eyelets, but when I release to move to the next set the bottom laces loosen up noticeably. Most probably won’t be as picky as I am, because the shoes do lace up tightly. It’s just not quite next-level lockdown like the Kobe VI or Hyperdunk Lows. A staple of the CP3 line is the Achilles pad, which improves comfort but also (in my opinion) leaves a little bit to be desired in terms of fit because it prevents the heel and Achilles from being completely flush with the heel of the shoe. It’s a personal thing, but also something to pay attention to when you try them on.

In short, the fit is very good overall but does leave a little bit to be desired in a couple of small areas.

Heel-Toe Transition
The transition is, to put it simply, perfect. The shoe glides smoothly through the footstrike, thanks to a low-profile Phylon midsole, but is not as stiff as prior models. The visible TPU shank provides plenty of stability too, and sets it apart from a slightly more stripped down shoe like the Hyperdunk. The Fuse upper also has notches along the eyestay and isn’t as thick as last year’s CP3.V. I’d compare the Fuse upper to that of the Melo M8, just in a lower profile. It also became more and more flexible (without sharp creasing) through the first few wearings – something that prior CP3 models haven’t done.

Notice the recessed groove down the center of the shoe, giving it a split-toe feel and aiding in transition and flexibility.

The outsole also features several lateral flex grooves – two on the forefoot and four modified grooves on the heel. These combine with a recessed section running down the middle of the shoe, almost giving it a very subtle split-toe feel and really accentuating the push off of the medial toe.

Cushioning
The Podulon system is used extremely well in the CP3.VI. The outsole gives a visual representation of where Podulon is used – underneath the ball of the foot and along the big toe – and there’s a noticeable but pleasant difference in the cushioning across the footbed. I feel like the Podulon unit is more firm/responsive and it definitely aids when pushing off to change direction and get to top speed (it would be extremely helpful if you, ya know, have a semblance of a first step but I’m more of the crafty type…). The heel cushioning seems slightly concave and your foot will probably feel like it sits low in the shoe – I loved the way I felt in it but others may find it slightly strange.

A nice shot of the Podulon section and flex grooves.

The court feel is also excellent, but so far hasn’t seemed to sacrifice cushioning in order to maintain that feel. While the Hyperdunk Lows bottomed out slightly after a solid month of playing, the Cp3.VI cushioning setup seems to strike a balance between compression/deflection and keeping me a low to the ground. Being a Zoom lover, I had been skeptical of Podulon in the past but the CP3.VI gets it right.

Traction
The traction on the CP3.VI ranks among the all-time greats for me (the Zoom BBII and this shoe are 1 and 1A in my opinion). There are a couple of reasons for this. First, herringbone. Herringbone on herringbone on herringbone. The entire outsole is covered with it and the grooves are especially deep on this traction pattern. I’ve hooped in the shoes for two weeks and both courts that I’ve played on have been below average in terms of cleanliness, but the traction has still been impeccable.

The deep herringbone pattern and flex grooves make for excellent court grip.

The second reason for the excellent traction are those flex grooves I mentioned in the transition section. The flexibility and resulting floor contact are awesome and that really aids in traction. With the lateral and vertical flex grooves, it creates an outsole with a bunch of uniquely shaped pods that are tuned (via those recessed grooves and the deep herringbone pattern) to provide great traction. Having the right points of the shoe on the floor and engaging traction whenever you demand it is a huge asset in terms of performance.

Materials/Durability
Like most Fuse-based shoes, you’re going to get great durability out of the upper. It may be a little stiff at first and lack slightly in the fit department, but it will not break down on you. The inner bootie is plush – no tissue paper tongue here – and the shoe comes with three pairs of laces should you tear through a pair (or if you’re just a fashionista). I also mentioned the toe wrap in the opening section of this review and it’s back in its familiar place, extending the rubber outsole on to the toe of the shoe for enhanced durability and protection against toe drag.

You can see the extra rubber wrapping around the medial side – a design element straight from CP3 himself.

To conclude, I am a huge fan of the CP3.VI. The traction, cushioning and heel-toe transition are all very good. The outsole is one of the most finely tuned and engineered setups that I’ve played in. The flexibility through the upper is solid and the fit – especially going a half-size down which I would wholeheartedly recommend – is good. The Podulon system has been employed perfectly, and is one of the best non-Zoom cushioning setups I’ve used along with the adidas TS Supernatural Creator.

Were there a couple of issues? Yes. The fit in the heel thanks to that Achilles pad could be a little tighter (but again, with a half-size down and two pairs of socks I personally didn’t have an issue with it) and I can’t quite get the full lockdown I love when lacing the shoes up.

Bottom line, if you’re a guard or a wing that likes the feel of the low, the CP3.VI should be one of the first shoes you try on. I recommend going a half-size down to get the best possible fit, but you’ll love the traction, smooth transition and cushioning setup. Some colorways are also starting to go on sale, making the CP3.VI a perfect cop if you’re on a budget and looking for a shoe that will carry you through your offseason workouts and open gym runs.

Overall Score: 46/50 x 2 = 92/100

February 21, 2013February 25, 2013 jtsittler TGRR Blog

TGRR Blog: State of the Industry, Part I: Jordan Brand

Prose: Jake Sittler (@jtsittler)

We’re fresh off of All-Star weekend, where superstars young and old had a spotlight shone upon them for a couple of fleeting days. The old guard – Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, among others – shared the attention with the new guard led by James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Paul George and Jrue Holiday. Beyond the weekend itself, even rookies like Damian Lillard and Anthony Davis have announced their arrival over the first half of the season.

Sneaker companies and their respective kicks played a role during All-Star weekend too. Nike went all out with the Area 72 theme and dropped a massive amount of models. Jordan Brand released the much-anticipated XX8, which garnered more attention than any other single model. Under Armour was well-represented on the booth scene, showing off all their PEs and adidas is the NBA’s official sponsor.

Those companies also took advantage of the increased attention and launched marketing campaigns and unveiled new technology in the days and weeks surrounding the All-Star festivities. Nike went with the aforementioned Area 72 campaign and Jordan Brand was represented with the XX8 Days of Flight countdown that culminated with the brand’s most technologically advanced shoe ever. Adidas recently unveiled new Boost cushioning and Blade midsole, while Under Armour continued to push its Spine technology. Reebok even got into it on the Classics side, announcing the return of Shaquille O’Neal and his Shaq Attaq and Shaqnosis signatures.

For all the marketing and technology, those brands still rely on the performance of those products while on the feet of their athletes – and vice versa. With some of those players nearing the end of their playing days and others such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant already entrenched as the new breed of superstar, it’s time to take a look at the future of those sneaker companies. They’ll need both superior products and the right athletes wearing those products in order to be successful in a hypercompetitive market.

We’ll do this in several different installments, brand by brand, and the first company we’ll take a look at is Jordan Brand.

Jordan Brand
Overview
JB is a little hard to break down because of the sheer amount of retro and lifestyle basketball models compared to the relatively few true performance hoops models. It’s also in the process of integrating signature athletes Blake Griffin and Russell Westbrook – and possibly signature shoes – after parting ways with Dwyane Wade. The launch of the next Jordan signature shoe, the XX8, was a polarizing event thanks to its looks (an eight-inch high zip-up shroud) and price tag (a staggering $250).

Market Share (U.S. Basketball Shoe market): 58% – via @MattSOS

Latest Performance Models
Jordan XX8
Jordan Melo M9 (Carmelo Anthony signature)
Jordan CP3 VI (Chris Paul signature)
Jordan Super.Fly Mid and Low
Jordan Aero Mania

Technology
JB and Nike set the standard for performance technology, and Jordan Brand has all the money, research and development resources it needs at its disposal. The XX8 is the pinnacle of the sneaker world in terms of innovation and technology (and price) – no surprise coming from the mind of the Godfather, Tinker Hatfield. The shoe features a reinvented Zoom Air (cushioning system made up of tensile fibers in a pressurized bag that compress upon impact then expand back outward giving a responsive and bouncy ride) bag, dubbed ProPlate Zoom, that puts the cushioning unit directly in contact with the foot. JB also developed a carbon fiber Flight Plate, a super light and super strong chassis for the shoe that helps the Zoom bag make flush contact with the foot, resulting in increased responsiveness. The heel counter is also made of carbon fiber, while the stretch synthetic shroud is made using premium Swiss textiles. The inner bootie features a Dynamic Fit system, with the lacing directly attached to the midfoot for a snug fit. All of this leads to hefty price tag, but you get what you pay for: no other shoe on the market features this kind of technology.

Other performance models haven’t shied away from using the technology at its disposal either. The Melo M9 is the lightest Melo shoe ever made and packs a ton of technology into the package. The most striking tech is the Flywire-based Dynamic Fit straps that wrap around the upper of the shoe and provide a tight fit. The M9 uses maximum volume Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot, and a full-length TPU cage for a stable fit. It’s a shoe perfectly tailored to a player like Melo.

Chris Paul’s CP3 VI once again uses Podulon cushioning – a staple of the CP3 line – and a one-piece Hyperfuse upper stitched together at the heel. The shoe is 20% lighter than his last shoe, and the Fuse material provides better fit and durability. The Podulon material is highlighted on the outsole of the shoe, and is concentrated across the forefoot and along the medial (big toe) half of the foot for extra responsiveness when planting and pushing off.

The Super.Fly has been a popular model because it’s playable for a variety of different players and features a comfortable Lunarlon forefoot, Zoom unit in the heel and Phylon midsole. The Aero Mania is a recent release seen most often on the feet of Blake Griffin and features a Flywire-based upper and forefoot Zoom unit.

Top Athletes
Carmelo Anthony
Chris Paul
Russell Westbrook
Blake Griffin
Ray Allen
Joe Johnson

Jordan Brand boasts two established superstars in Anthony and Paul and two up and coming faces of the brand in Westbrook and Griffin. It’s not hard to see where JB is going with this strategy, as Westbrook and Griffin are two of the most exciting and explosive players in the league. Both could warrant signature shoes in the future – especially Griffin – and the fashion-forward Westbrook has been leading the XX8 charge by becoming the athlete chosen to first rock the shoe on court. Allen has long been the recipient of some of the best Player Edition colorways, and Johnson is just another productive, big name in a big market.

Future Outlook
We’ve already talked about how the brand is positioned with two of the most exciting individual athletes in the league signed to JB contracts. Melo and Paul will carry the signature shoe line for several years, with Melo approaching his tenth signature model next year. The XX8 was a statement in terms of fashion and performance for the brand and it set the bar high in terms of expectations for that signature numbered line.

It will be important for Jordan Brand to continue to innovate, but it will be interesting to see if the numbered line becomes a top-of-the-line, technologically advanced product every year. In order for that to happen, the shoes may have to stay in the upper echelon of the market’s price range, attainable only for those elite athletes or simply hoopers with no regard for budget.

The Melo and CP3 line should occupy a price range just below the top, while perhaps the Super.Fly (the Super.Fly 2 was debuted by Griffin during All-Star weekend) and Aero- lines will be even slightly more affordable while providing exceptional technology.

The retro craze will always fuel the brand and there are so many models to be taken advantage of that I don’t foresee it slowing down anytime soon. But on the performance side of things, look for Jordan Brand to continue to be leader in innovation and technology thanks to some of the best minds in design, while pushing forward with Griffin and Westbrook joining Melo and Paul as the faces of the brand.