As Tinker Hatfield remembers it, had his initial presentation of the Air Jordan 3 to Michael Jordan gone awry back in 1987, Nike and Jordan Brand might not exist as we know them today.
"Michael really did want to leave us at the time," said the legendary Nike designer, who is credited with creating some of the most iconic Jordan sneakers.
Instead of bolting for Adidas, Jordan embraced the Air Jordan 3, marking a turning point in the relationship between the company and its most high-profile star. Jordan Brand is honoring the shoe's 30th anniversary this weekend by launching a pair based on one of Hatfield's earliest sketches of what would become the third shoe in Jordan's signature line.