In 2013, with the introduction of the AJ XX8, came a sea change for the Air Jordan line. Performance footwear had never seen anything like it. Within its unique, boot-high casing was veiled a surprisingly responsive shoe with less weight than players had reasonably come to expect.Personifying this new wave was a new face for the Jordan brand. Russell Westbrook unveiled the performance-packed Air Jordan XX8 in December 2012, proving that it — like himself, and MJ before him — were not to be underestimated.