Jayson Tatum sure has a lot going on at the moment. He’s currently ranked third in the odds race to be named 2023 MVP behind Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic, while his team currently has the best record in the NBA at 42-17.
Today, the 24-year-old adds another milestone to an already impressive career, as he debuts his first signature shoe with Jordan Brand during his fourth appearance as an NBA All-Star. Was there a better way to reveal the Jordan Tatum 1 than for its namesake to set a new record for points scored in an NBA All-Star game with 55, walking away with the All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP? Probably not.
When the Jordan Tatum 1 first leaked back in January, Twitter users were pretty quick to roast them. They were called everything from a “TK Maxx clearance section shoe” to “a cheap gaming chair” – as well as giving “power rangers dino thunder vibes.” One person in the replies even claimed they injured their ankle just by looking at it.
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Admittedly, it wasn’t a very flattering first look.
Tatum himself was quick to defend the shoe at the time, and we can now see why. The Jordan Tatum 1 is packed with personal details that his fans are sure to love. The phrase “I Just Didn’t Quit” – which Tatum has tattooed on his calf – can be found on the TPU piece next to the coordinates for his hometown of St. Louis. You’ll also find his uniform number “0” on the heels and his signature “JT” logo on the tongue.
“I want people to feel like they can connect to me,” said Jayson Tatum.
“I remember being a kid, walking into the store, and looking for the signature shoes of my favourite players. The moment I saw the shoe or put the shoe on, I felt like I was in sync and closer to them in a way. So, I want this shoe to be a bridge between my fans and me to bring us closer together.”
From a design standpoint, the shoes seem pretty sound. Jordan Brand is billing the Tatum 1 as its lightest basketball shoe to date, crediting its TPU frame for the structural and torsional stability that supports a player of his calibre.
The base layers come in a breathable mesh knit, reinforced with padded collars around the ankles. A Zoom Air bag can be found inside the forefoot of the midsole unit, which will prove handy should you find yourself dunking like Jayson Tatum.
The first iterations of the Jordan Tatum 1 will come in four colourways: Zoo, St. Louis, Barbershop, and Pink Lemonade. The Zoo colourway will be the first to launch on April 7, 2023, with the others to follow in April, May, and June. They’re priced at around US$120 (AU$174).
