Behind the Reebok Pump was not only a unique and revolutionary design, but also an aggressive marketing campaign. Reebok went head on with print and television ads with industry leader Nike with memorable lines that included “Pump Up, Air Out.”

The highlight of the shoe’s moment in history happened All Star weekend in Miami when Dominique Wilkins wore the Reebok Pump as he threw down for his second Slam Dunk crown.

Each of the 20 stores in the Pump 20 campaign will sell their own versions of the Reebok Pump to the tune of 31 pairs per door this weekend, but each door will also have 29 pairs available of the original White/Blue colorways as well as this one, in Black/White/Orange.

It all started at one.

Next year Jordan Brand will celebrate an unprecedented 25th anniversary of the Air Jordan series of shoes.  Earlier today we all caught a glimpse of the upcoming Air Jordan 2010, but for this Throwback Thursday, I thought it was an appropriate time to rewind things back to where it all began - the Nike Air Jordan 1.

Coming out of school Michael Jordan had tons of buzz surrounding him from his play at NC, to his Olympic Gold in the summer of ‘84, but the minute Jordan’s shoes were banned by the NBA, buzz for much more than just Mike was generated.  Though the shoes that technically were banned by the NBA were the Black/Red Nike Air Ships that MJ wore for the first part of his rookie year, the Nike Air Jordan 1’s were at the focal point of an extremely creative campaign by Nike.

As you know, the Air Jordan line has changed tremendously since the beginning, but sometimes there is nothing better than the original.

Improving on the fit of the Flight Lite, the shoes returned with the same lightweight and comfortable cushioning, but a stripped down and better fitting Huarache style inner sock.  This colorway was worn by Lakers great A.C. Green in the 1991-92 season, but has not been seen since.  Check out more pics after the break.

What if Nike did one of the craziest things to a basketball shoe in terms of tech, design, and performance? That might sound like a part of their business plan, but coming with something totally original doesn’t always translate into a hit.

The Nike Air Flight Huarache was the product of the mastermind of Tinker Hatfield inspired by a Mayan sandal but with comfort and cushioning like none other. Keeping the Nike principle at heart, the shoe was stripped of excess and unneeded materials to produce something lightweight as well.

The Air Flight Huarache wasn’t exactly the hottest seller right out of the gate when it debuted in ‘92, but everything in history was rewritten once a group of five young punks from Michigan took the court and college hoops by storm.

The Huarache has continued to inspire many basketball shoes and the snug fit is seen season after season, but it all originated with the OG. Click here to get a better look at the Nike Air Flight Huarache. Also, find out DJ Clark Kent, Juwan Howard, Tinker Hatfield and others’ thoughts about the rise of the Nike Air Flight Huarache. If Nike were to reissue these would you purchase or pass?

Jordan Brand gave us a little taste of blue VIs in 2000 when the shoe released in White/Midnight Navy, but I am pretty sure that after almost 19 years this one is ready for return?

If JB brought back the Sport Blue Jordan VI would they be a purchase or pass?  Leave your thoughts after the break.

And just like that, greatness left the game.

Michael Jordan hung up his kicks and retired from the game of basketball.  Just because Mike was no longer in the League didn’t mean that Nike was finished with their game though.  The Nike Air Jordan IX came to the public and was repped heavily in the NBA by friends of Jordan including Mitch Richmond who took them to the All Star Game.

The “Powder Blue” colorway of the Air Jordan IX might be best remembered as it was a part of an advertising campaign that featured Mike reflecting on his glorious career wearing his UNC jersey sitting on a basketball.

Thankfully for the game of basketball and sneakers Mike returned to the game.  Thankfully for fans of this Air Jordan 9, the shoe will be returning…yes, you read that.  For a first for Throwback Thursday, we are pleased to announced that we saw the Air Jordan 9 in White/Black-University Blue listed as a 2010 release.  Check out more pics of a very well enjoyed pair after the break.

Tomorrow, the greatest that ever took the court will be honored with his official enshrinement at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.  We could spend hours and compose pages of all of the great things that Michael Jordan did for the game of basketball among many other things.

Besides forever changing the sport of basketball, Michael Jordan’s impact on the footwear forever changed the scope of the business.  This week we honor the greatest that ever played with (our office opinion) of the greatest shoes Michael wore on court - the Nike Air Jordan XI.

Michael returned to the game in mid-March from retirement to help his Bulls into the Playoffs.  On May 7, 1995, Michael Jordan laced up in something new and something fresh for Game 1 of the Conference Semi’s against the Orlando Magic.  Though the Bulls dropped Game 1 and MJ was only able to put up 19 points, many fans were talking about what Mike had on his feet.

The shoes shiny black patent leather on a white upper caught more than the attention of virtually every camera man in the building, but also the NBA.  Just like the old days, Mike was hit with a $5k fine for having footwear that was out of line.

MJ and the Bulls did fall short in the 1995 Playoffs, but roared through the 1995-96 season setting an unbelievable regular season record of 72-10 while MJ averaged 30.4 points per game.  The Playoffs proved to be not much of a challenge for the Bulls either as they cruised through losing only 3 games in total of all rounds.

What makes the Air Jordan XI special for you?  Is it the shoes beauty?  Is it what Jordan accomplished in the shoes?