ESPN's "Gotta Be The Shoes!" Honors Michael Jordan

Even as Michael Jordan prepares to celebrate his 50th birthday, the rarefied heights he reached — both on and off-court — largely remain untouched by his peers and successors. In commemoration of MJ’s legend, ESPN recently honored the greatest player ever with “Gotta Be The Shoes,” a tribute that asks the essential question “Was it the shoes?” The short feature takes a closer look at the global phenomenon that was — and still is — the Jumpman, from the controversial Air Jordan 1 to the retirement-era Jordan 10 and its highly coveted successors. Above all, “Gotta Be The Shoes!” is an exploration of a man who became a brand and who has managed to remain a cultural icon a decade after his final retirement. Watch the clip above and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.