For the first time, the Air Jordan 19 abandoned laces to introduce a braided sleeve made of high-tech flexible material that locked in the wearer’s foot. With Michael Jordan retired — officially this time — Jordan Brand looked to NBA stars like Jason Kidd, Carmelo Anthony, and Ray Allen, among others, to keep the Jumpman alive on the court.Although he never laced up a pair of Air Jordan XIXs for use during a game, Michael Jordan’s exact specifications helped create the future of flight. MJ had set the bar for performance. Air Jordans had set similar standards with technology and style. The AJ XIX now beckoned the next generation of athlete, while ushering in a new era of footwear.Modelled after a poisonous African snake, the AJ XIX was a style-forward, performance-crafted shoe. It’s reptilian origins made for a striking aesthetic that took the trend of veiled laces to a new level of elegance. With a Tech-Flex upper and Zoom Air cushioning, it was notably agile on the court as well.