Take a good look at the woven label attached to the top of the tongue. Counterfeit Jordans may not have a circle with the registered “R” trademark, while Nike's original shoes use a doubled “R” on that tag. Embroidery should not be too thick or too thin. There should be no bulging or protruding threads or “bald” spots.

Authentic Air Jordan shoes are typically made with high-quality materials and have precise stitching and logo placement. Look for a serial number: Every pair of authentic Air Jordan shoes has a unique serial number printed on the tag inside the shoe.

Made in Italy, of sleek lines, full-length encapsulated air, and without a signature swoosh, the Air Jordan 2 brought a new level of sophistication to the hardwood.

Only the original white/black colorway returned, but it did release in high and low-top form. 2004 would mark the first retro run for the Air Jordan 2, spanning three high-top and two low-tops, with two more lows, one for men and the other for women, in 2005.