The Air Jordan XX1, the twenty-first model, arrived in 2006 at a hundred and seventy five dollars, designed by D’Wayne Edwards. He took cues from the Bentley Continental GT, with a sweeping side panel and perforated leather, and introduced Independent Podular Suspension, a system that let players swap heel cushioning cartridges between Zoom and encapsulated Air.

It was the first model conceived entirely in the post-Michael-on-court era, and it set the tone for where the line was heading, performance with a luxury-car sensibility. The customizable cushioning was a real idea, even if the broader culture had moved its attention to retros of the older models.

The white and black and the Playoffs pairs are the ones collectors point to. Retros have been limited, which keeps the XX1 a quiet entry, but it marks a clear turn toward the modern Jordan Brand.