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SHOES + NEWS
Sneaker Talk: Mike Bibby & Joe Johnson
words & interview_Christopher Cason
The perks of being a Jordan Brand athlete may be the closest thing to heaven on earth anyone can get to. I can’t even count the times this year that I’ve discussed the overall love for the brand with various players of different teams.
Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks bonded almost immediately once Bibby joined the team in 2008 and yes, their love of the brand helped. The two happen to be enjoying that heaven of representing Jordan Brand on a nightly basis, and they also have the sweet benefit of cashing NBA checks. Jealous yet?
They also have the Hawks in serious contention for a title. Yeah, believe it.
On their way to helping their team to a blowout win over the Bulls, I had the chance to talk to both Mike and Joe about what they love about the brand.
MIKE BIBBY — Jordan Brand Member Since 1998
Christopher Cason: You broke out the XIII’s a couple of games back. Are those from your personal collections?
Mike Bibby: Those were from my own personal collection. I’ve been wearing Jordans since before I came into the league. I got shoes with the old boxes. I’ve got so many shoes that I’ve kept from back then. I’ve got a lot in my closet.
Do you regularly just go into the closet and plan to bring something back?
I break them out whenever. I felt I needed some black ones. I went and looked in my closet, looked at those and figured what they would look like playing in them. I used to play in those in college, too. So, it’s a good feel for me.
Being on the team with JJ, who’s also with the brand, is there ever any competition with who has the best PEs?
No. We normally don’t like having the same shoe. They make different colorways for both of us. As long as mine don’t look like what’s in stores, I’m cool.
What’s your favorite out of all of them
It would have to be the XVI’s.
Why that one?
You know, I had white and black ones when I was in Vancouver. I’m mad they haven’t brought them back out again. They had them in that pack with the XVI and the VII, with the black and red. I been trying to get them to make those again for me, but they haven’t, yet.
JOE JOHNSON — Jordan Brand Member Since 2006
Christopher Cason: So far this season, what has been your favorite pair to play in?
Joe Johnson: This season? I probably would have to say the XIIs. They’re more comfortable and it seems I get better grip with them. I’ve enjoyed playing in them, probably the most this year.
Bibby said his favorite are the XVIs, what would yours be?
My favorite of all-time, would have to be the Vs. With the netted material on the side and the reflective tongue. When I first signed with Brand Jordan, that was the year that those came out. So, it was good timing, I guess. Those are probably the best ones.
Anything special to look out for come playoff time?
I don’t know. They just kind of do stuff on the fly for us. I don’t even know what we’re going to be wearing during the playoffs. It’s always a privilege and an honor just to be a part of it. So, it don’t matter to me.
No competition between you and Bibby at all with the different models you guys have and get?
Not at all. It’s all love. I’ve enjoyed it since day one, being a part of the brand. Bibby has given me the ins and outs, he’s looked out for me, for the most part, and that’s just how it’s been.
What are some of the responsibilities you feel while representing not only the name, but the legacy?
Just going out there night in, night out , putting forth your best effort. Not only for the brand, but for myself and my family as well. I just try to represent to the fullest. You know, ever since I’ve been with the brand, I’ve been an All-Star. It’s kind of crazy, but it kind of happened that way.
Do you think you signing with the Brand made you work harder to reach that level?
I just think, it was the time of my career, where everything just kind of happened. It panned out that way for me. When I signed with the brand, it was my second year here [Atlanta]. Obviously, my first year was a learning process. My second year, I pretty much understood everything, so I just went to new heights and it just elevated from there.
I know you’ve been big on Jordan for a long time. You ever camp out for any pair?
Oh yeah. Definitely. I was there trying to get them early, or have someone trying to get them for me. It’s an honor. I get so many orders now from all kind of people who wants Jordan, so it’s crazy.
Below, Joe Johnson, playing in the Air Jordan Retro 5.
How far will Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby take the Hawks this season?
Tags: atlanta hawks, joe johnson, Jordan Brand, mike bibby, sneaker talk
14 Responses to “Sneaker Talk: Mike Bibby & Joe Johnson”
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Finally some attention for Bibby’s XIII’s, still the best out of the Jordan line for me
Agree 100% with you, the XIII is still my all time favorite and the best shoe I have ever played basetball in. Didnt realise Bibby broke out a pair of XIII’s a few games back -good for him!
Yeah, they’re great, and I can’t wait to see ‘em make another round of retro’s
, and Bibby broke out both the BRED’s as well as a crisp pair of White/Red’s :hitit:
, and just hope there would be a rumor of retro XIII’s, but this interview killed that hope a little, although maybe this can be the start to retro some XIII’s 
I saw it a while back, made me completely forget about all the retro XII’s
Good read. It’s always exciting to see them rock new PE’s. Bibby’s AJ5 PE when he was still in SAC has been one of my favorite PE. Can’t go wrong with black/purple.
hey in that joe johnson vs bobcats photo i cant tell wheter those r 9s or 9.5, i know its gerald wallaces cuz it sasy GW 3
They’re the 9.5′s
Another great read – nice job, Mr. Cason!
Those Grizzlies XVI’s are sick…
Those Gerald Wallace shoes are 9.5′s
Funny story after I talked to Mike: A guy asked me “What was he doing in Vancouver?” I said playing for the Grizzlies. He asked, “I thought he went to Arizona?” Always do your homework people. LOL
I like Joe Johnson IV’s
I like Mike Bibby XIII’s
Last Picture… Bibby wearing CPIII’s!?!?!? Well, I guess someone has to since Chris isn’t wearing them! I’m not against second-tier players wearing someone’s sig shoe… but Bibby is NOT second tier!
^Bibby isn’t exactly elite. And he’s been wearing somebody elses sig shoe for years, lol.
Interesting to see Bibby single out the Vancouver XVI – which was a classic PE.
Nice interview, Christopher.
Thanks BRich. We talked about that shoe after the interview and he was telling me how everyone on the team used to aask him for those.
Yo great interview Chris. Keep up the great work man.
Awesome read, JJ is one of my favorite players. His PE Vs were just insane… Love seeing Bibby in the XIIIs this year too though