The NBA’s widely recognized sneaker king suffered a pregame mishap Wednesday night when P.J. Tucker arrived at TD Garden and warmed up in a pair of 18-year-old Jordans.
Ahead of the New York Knicks’ Game 2 win over the Boston Celtics, Tucker took to the court in a Jordan Jumpman Pro PE made for former Knicks player Fred Jones during the 2007-08 season. The player exclusive colorway made for Jones uses an obscure Jordan model originally released in 1997 which was part of the brand’s Team Jordan line and was worn by NBA stars such as Ray Allen.
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With visual similarities to the Air Jordan 12, the Jordan Jumpman Pro was popular with players on the court and was one of a handful of Team Jordans which crossed over into street style appeal. Jones’ version features a white leather and patent leather upper with Knicks-colored orange and blue accents and “TS” personalization, short for rapper Fat Joe’s Terror Squad group.
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But Tucker’s warm up was short-lived. Shortly after taking the court in the vintage sneakers, Tucker shared a new Instagram story which showed that the sole of the right shoe had come completely unattached from the upper. Earlier on his Instagram story, Tucker wrote that he’d kept the shoes in new condition for over 15 years, which likely contributed to the bonding and materials breaking down over time.
Luckily for Tucker, he has at least one similar pair tucked away in his massive stash of sneakers. During halftime of the Knicks’ Round 1, Game 5 match-up against the Detroit Pistons, Tucker warmed up in a black-based colorway of Jones’ Jordan Jumpman Pro PEs. He didn’t provide a post-game update on their condition, but it seems that black pair fared better than Wednesday’s wear.
It’s not uncommon for unworn vintage sneakers to begin having structure issues, especially as they approach the 10 to 15-year mark, so let this be a reminder to put them to use while they’re wearable.