On the performance side, the Team Flow did not come up short. Cuts were easy to come by with a solid outsole that grips well on the hardwood. While the Flow does not have nearly the same traction prowess like the XVIII, it does hold its own during high-level competition. Cushioning is steadfast and predictable with the use of full-length encapsulated air. It does not have a super springy feel like most Zoom Air shoes but it always seem to provide just enough to get the job done. Injected shank plate is used to increase stability as well as to protect the arch and midfoot.

      Safety up top is provided only by a mid-high cut upper. There is no stability and anti-inversion technology around for extra-protection - which is a bit disappointment for a shoe this refined. Overall, this is a solid all-around shoe. We can't find any fault with the Team Flow – although we also didn't find it super exciting in any particular category either. Perhaps that is the intent of the Team Flow. It is a go with the flow type of shoes that can take your opponents to school with a no non-sense approach. If you liked the previous team release such as the Jumpman Team Elite and the Jumpman Team FBI, then we think you will like the Team Flow as well (it slides somewhere in between the Elite and FBI).

      Perhaps we were too quick to raise the expectation so high for the Team Flow. Fact is, the Flow’s retail price of $100 is $50 less than that of the legendary AJ XIII. It is better classified as an entry performance luxury shoe – although its classy styling suggested a level higher. It was never meant to compete with the signature class of shoes like AJ XIII, T-MAC3 and AJ XVIII. Simply put: it is a well-designed and mass-produced team shoe whose success will be judged based on the volume sold rather than impress in the categories of quality and performance. There will be numerous colorways released within the year for consumers to choose from. $100 is normally a price tag very reasonable for a Jordan Brand shoe as it boasts the immeasurable value of the Jumpman logo. Yet we've just very recently completed our first look on the Adidas T-MAC3 – also priced at $100. It would be great to own both pairs for that price, but if we had to only choose one, then the T-MAC3 is simply a much better shoe for the value.