Jumping ship for Jordan Brand worked in Kembas favor on two levels | The Daily Jordan: Air Jordan 33 CNY Chinese New Year “Columbia Blue” – 2000

Though Air Jordan 33 CNY Chinese New Year has generally been scorned and overlooked over the years, it hats one of the most eye-popping designs in the Jordan Brand canon. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the shoe’s angular appearance was inspired by the rocket-powered X-15 experimental aircraft. The public didn’t seem to think much of it at the time, and without Michael Jordan, who always had a knack for making any sneaker look good on the court, the XV essentially floundered. One feather in the shoe’s cap came in 2000, when MJ’s old rival Reggie Miller took the “Stealth” colorway for an extended run during the NBA Playoffs. There are rumblings of the XV returning sometime in 2016, but you can still find original pairs now via eBay.