Do The Mike Thing

Nicholas

JORDAN, The name itself sends the hair rising on the back of my neck. I grew up in an era of Jordan. Kindergarden 87, High School Grad 00. I played basketball. Lived basketball. I always got the 23 jersey no matter what. Even in baseball, soccer, and football. I remember JV year jersey handouts and someone grabbed 23 before I got to it. I made a stink about it and Coach Josey got in my face "quit bitching about a number" he said here how about 32 its just 23 swithed. I said Shaq wears 32 and he will never be half as good as Mike is. So Coach said to me 'you're just wearing it' come on so I was like "ok cool coach i will wear 32 and put out only half of what i coulda put out". I wore 23 that season. I never put up numbers like Mike but I always strive to do my best. After high school in 00 I enlisted in the USMC. Hey I bet ya a lot of people who collect or wear Js couldn't hack it one day as a Marine. 4 years, 3 Combat Tours and a really shitty case of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). I would explain all of that but I would need ya for half a day or so.

Anyways I grew up when Air Jordans meant everything. If you had them everyone at school knew who you were. If you played in them everyone on the court, pavement, and dirt knew who you were. Jordans bring back my youth. They bring back happiness. They are my childhood. You could sum me up as 23 until The Marine Corps. Collecting Js is a healthy habit, as long as you use cash. I currently own 57 pairs. I know them all. Retro 13s Black/Altitude green I bought two pairs one to wear and one to love. I use my knowledge on Air Jordans to comfort me, I suffer from panic attacks, Nightmares, Intrusive thoughts and a general sense of heightened alertness. For some reason Js calm me down, keep me level headed, and help me to overcome anything in my path of life. I love the smell of an unworn shoe. Authentics only - I can tell a variant just by the smell alone. I hate variants and despise the crooks who make money off them. I wish people did care if the sneaker is real or fake but people don't they want the look thats all. Screw the Look, it's the Tradition, the Perseverance, the Determination, the Nostalgia. Not the Look. In the future someday I will sit down with my kids/grandkids and tell them a very similar story like i just told you.