Oscar-winning director Spike Lee recently recalled his iconic partnership with Michael Jordan in the Nike Air Jordan commercials of the late 80s and the early 90s in an interview. Lee featured in the Air Jordan commercials as the character Mars Blackmon from his debut film She’s Gotta Have It(1986).

Mars Blackmon served as a kind of comedic foil to Michael Jordan in the commercials. The character was, like Spike Lee, a sneakerhead and an ardent fan of the New York Knicks.

Lee recently reprised his iconic character in a two-and-a-half-minute reel Seen It All celebrating Nike’s 50 years in business. The 65-year-old director directed it himself, capturing the glorious moments of sporting history from different generations.

The video ends with the famous catchphrase from the old Nike commercials ‘It’s gotta be da shoes’.

Spike Lee remembers when Michael Jordan called him ‘Motherf*cka’

Wieden and Kennedy called Spike Lee to feature with Michael Jordan in the Nike commercials. Initially, he thought it was a prank by his friends. Jordan was the best player in the league and Spike was a struggling director who just put out his first film.

Therefore, Lee was genuinely surprised that Michael Jordan picked him for the role. He could’ve chosen any established director or actor, but didn’t. So when Spike asked Jordan the reason behind that, he replied, “Muthaf*cka you wearing my shoes!”

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“I’m here to say, I’m honored Michael Jordan called me a muthaf*cka”, Lee said in an interview.

The Mars Blackmon commercials

The Mars Blackmon commercials changed Spike Lee’s life for the better. It gave him financial stability and nationwide exposure. A dream come true for any up-and-coming director.

Moreover, he got the opportunity to work with Michael Jordan in his prime days of basketball greatness. That is truly something out of a basketball fan’s dream. Lee still cherishes those memories.

Spike Lee has established himself as one of the greatest directors in America right now with defining movies like Malcolm X(1992) and BlacKkKlansman(2018). But he is still remembered for revolutionizing the sneakerhead movement of the 80s and the 90s.

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Nike has paid homage to Lee’s contributions through the Air Jordan Spizike and Air Jordan 4 Retro “Mars Blackman”. The Jordan Mars shoe line is a testimony to the rich history of basketball in America.