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Tatum’s NBA Finals run marks a new era for the Jumpman.
On June 17, 2024, the Boston Celtics won their 18th NBA Championship. And for many Celtics players, like Jayson Tatum, their first ever.
Since entering the league in 2017, the expectations for Tatum were high, and his potential was projected even higher. In the summer of 2019, the bar was elevated further as Tatum joined Jordan Brand with rumblings of a signature shoe in the pipeline.
In early 2023, the Jordan Tatum 1 was announced. The shoe made its debut, however, at the 2023 All-Star Game where Tatum was crowned the All-Star Game MVP with a record-setting 55 points. In doing so, Tatum became the first player in NBA history to score 50-plus points in a regular-season game, a playoff game, and the NBA All-Star Game.
Tatum and Jordan Brand couldn’t have scripted a better debut.
Fast forward to the Jordan Tatum 2, which was announced in late 2023 and released just months ago, Tatum and Jordan Brand took a bolder design approach to the second model while holding onto the Tatum 1’s foundational principles.
The upper features large foam and textile pods, precisely placed around high-pressure areas for optimal support. A foam frame wraps high on the shoe, offering stability during quick, multidirectional movements without sacrificing mobility or comfort. The lightweight outsole boasts a modified herringbone traction pattern, providing enhanced coverage where it’s needed most.
Additionally, style plays a pivotal role in the shoe’s design, blending function with flair. The large foam pods and vibrant colors channel the playful spirit of ‘90s basketball kicks. Tatum’s logo and number are prominently displayed on the heel, along with personal mantras like “Find a Way” and “Like Father, Like Son,” reflecting his self-belief and dedication to his family.
Throughout the season and deep into the Finals run, the Tatum 2 was front and center each time the C’s stepped on the court.
For Jordan Brand, the 2024 NBA Finals continued a core tradition of Air Jordans at the NBA Finals. Whether it would’ve been Luka Doncic in the Jordan Luka 3 or Tatum in the Jordan Tatum 2, the brand was poised to win regardless of who lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy.
But for Tatum, the victory was that much sweeter as the outside noise and criticism finally came to a nearly non-existent lull, especially after Tatum and the Celtics were runner-ups in the 2022 NBA Finals.
As for the brand, the championship deriving from the youngest line out of the brand’s current star core (Jordan Luka 3, Jordan Zion 3, and Jordan Tatum 2) is a signal to the basketball world that the future is here, it’s now, and it belongs to Jayson Tatum and Jordan Brand.
