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A Western Australia Michael Jordan Society presentation

The Black Mamba
The AJ 19 design was inspired by an African snake, the Black Mamba (Dendroaspis Polylepis), a fast and deadly snake found in central and southern Africa. Black Mambas are awe inspiring animals, powerful and tense, and not black but a gun-metal olive. When threatened they raise their bodies high into the air and present a wide open mouth and reveal just how they got their name. The inside of their mouth is jet black.

AJ19 are extremely comfortable. The fit around the ankle is exceptional due to a round piece of foam being cut out to accomodate the malleoli, unbelievable what a difference two round pieces of foam makes. The tongue is well-padded and helps improve the midfoot fit. Looks like JB thought of everything for the XIX. The double-stacked zoom air and 3/4 carbon-fibre shank plate makes you feel like you're walking in the clouds. The fact that it's the second lightest AJ also helps.
Family: Elapidae Genus & Species: Dendroaspis Polylepis

The official catalogue description is :

Upper: Michael Jordan’s retirement from NBA basketball has meant a turning of the page, the ending of one chapter and the beginning of another. This shoe was inspired by the most dangerous snake in the world. Full-grain leather and nubuck upper with a foam-backed collar lining. A new innovative tech flex material in the vamp offers breathability and support in the right areas. A new speed lacing toggle is combined with a magnetic heel strapping system. Elegant toe shape is finished off with a full-grain patent leather.

The Black Mamba in action.
March 3, 2004 Air Jordan XIX. These samples have a silver stripe running across the small Jumpman. The production models don't have the silver stripe.

Midsole: Phylon midsole with a double stack Air Sole unit in the heel combined with a full length zoom air bag. Chrome TPU jumpman in the heel. Extended ¾-length carbon fiber shank for added midfoot support.

Outsole: Modified solid rubber herringbone traction pattern combined with a high polished translucent rubber on the outsole. New flex groove details on the outsole for added flexibility.

Profile: Inspired by the most dangerous snake on earth (mamba), the Air Jordan XIX exemplifies the level of greatness that only MJ himself could attain.
May 8, 2004 Air Jordan XIX. These samples have a red stripe running across the red Jumpman. The production models don't have the red stripe.

 
2004 AIR JORDAN XIX Leather/Tech-flex uppers, velcro heel strapping system carbon-fibre sheath and full-length Zoom Air sole plus second unit at the heel.
 

Click here to view the content of the manual.

"I think a winning attitude is something you must have and that is going to motivate you to play all facets of the game of basketball and instill the determination to be the best basketball player you can be. That is a good trait to have as a professional basketball player. "

- Michael Jordan on what it takes to be a "Legend"

"I'm still amazed he announced his plans so early." Kemp said. "You learn to never say never with that guy. I still thinks if he gets hot down the stretch and Washington makes a run in the playoffs, he might come back again."

- Shawn Kemp (Orlando Magic) being skeptical on Jordan retiring so early
XIX prototypes first worn by Gentry Humphrey.









LEFT : Gentry R Humphrey II, (Footwear Product Marketing Director for Jordan Brand), wearing a pair of AJ XIX.









BELOW : AJ XIX upclose. Check out the magnetic heel strapping system. It's been changed to a Velcro system since then when problems surfaced on how secure the magnets were.
Look at that! The tech-flex overwrap is cutting into his shin. It's gonna bleed, man.
Another shin slicing view. Doesn't he feel any pain!!

Senior Footwear Designer Jordan Brand :
Tate Kuerbis

Technical Specs :
Patent leather toe box, tech-flex upper with velcro heel strap, plastic lace-locks, Jumpman on heel and midfoot. Phylon midsole with full-length Zoom Air Unit + second unit at the heel. Rubber and sticky rubber outsole with carbon fiber shank plate.

Price :
US$164.95 (AU$349.95 in Mar 13, 2004)

Packaging :
Released in Mar 13, 2004 in a special split fold box. Each shoe in their own shoe bags like the Jordan 17+.

Colorways & pics (from www.air-jordans.com , www.niketalk.com , www.promo-shoes.com and www.ebay.com )

Originals 2004
Mar 13, 2004 AIR JORDAN XIX White/Chrome/Flint Grey-Black 307546-102 $165.00
May 8, 2004 AIR JORDAN XIX Black/Chrome-Varsity Red 307546-061 $165.00
May 29, 2004 AIR JORDAN XIX Low White/Cement Grey-Blk 308513-111 $115
July 10, 2004 AIR JORDAN XIX Regional Pack $165
                    307546-002 Black/White-Metallic Silver (West Coast)
                    307546-101 White/Varsity Red-Metallic Silver (Midwest)
                    307546-161 White/Midnight Navy-Varsity Red (East Coast)
Aug 7, 2004 AIR JORDAN XIX Low Black/Metallic Silver-Varsity Red 308513-001 $115
Sept 4, 2004 AIR JORDAN XIX SE White/Metallic Gold-Midnight Navy 308492-171 $165
Sept 11, 2004 AIR JORDAN XIX Low L'Style Neutral Grey/Black-Light Graphite 308513-002 $115.00
Nov ?? 2004 AIR JORDAN XIX Low L'Style Obsidian/Vapor 308513-421 $115.00
Nov 13,2004 AIR JORDAN XIX SE (Special Edition) Black/Metallic Gold 308492-070 $165.00
Nov 13, 2004 AIR JORDAN XIX SE (Special Edition) White/Grey-Red (East) 308492-101 $165.00
Nov 13, 2004 AIR JORDAN XIX SE (Special Edition) White/Yellow-Purple (West) 308492-172 $165.00
Dec ?? 2004 AIR JORDAN XIX Low L'Style Cinder/British Khaki 308513-221 $115.00

AIR JORDAN XIX without the TECHFLEX (someone eBayer removed theirs!!!)
FAKES

MJ in a pair of XIX at his Flight School camp. Photo by Sappy2k5.
2004 White/Chrome/Flint Grey-Black
The box. Split fold box in action.
XIX in nylon bags. Plus instruction manual .
AJ takes a gigantic revolutionary leap with a permanent instep cover called the Tech-flex.
The soles are high tech and have transparent rubber overhang that provides outstanding lateral support.
Close up of the tech-flex leather strap and the D-ring plastic loop.
Hi there! Mr. 19.
Peering into the pure white soul of XIX The top edge of the tech-flex over-wrap is sharp and can slice your shins open if you're not wearing long stockings.
The lace-lock secures the thin nylon laces
These are definitely Michael Jordan. It's outta this world!!
Beautiful translucent carbon-fibre shank plate!
US$165 or AUD$350 for your Jordan Experience
Carmelo Anthony reverse dunk in a pair of size 15 AJ 19s at the 2004 All-Stars Rookie Game. It was off a lobbed pass by LeBron from the outside with 3.4 seconds left in the final half of the game.