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Was two championships all Michael needed? The Chicago Bulls began the 1992-93 NBA Season again as the best team in the league, anchored by the best player in the league. The game, frankly, was too easy for Michael Jordan. A 50-point outing was something expected, not celebrated, and the burn-out of playing at such a high level for so long took its toll not only on Jordan’s physical condition, but more importantly, his mental approach to the game. Jordan had mentioned to his teammates and coach that the 1992-93 season would be his last, that the fun had disappeared, and that he’d had enough of the game. The Bulls, still one of the best of the league, played the season with a cloud hanging over the franchise, partially covering the unlimited potential Jordan and the Bulls truly had. The adverse effect it had was seen during a fourteen-game stretch early in the season, a span in which the Bulls lost eight games – one loss coming despite sixty-four points by Jordan himself. The Bulls finished the season with 57 wins, a respectable number at the very least, but still an underachievement for the Bulls, as they entered the 1993 NBA Playoffs without Home Court advantage.
However, the Playoffs were another story; Jordan lit up the arena and the scoreboard, dismantling the Hawks and Cavaliers (another buzzer-beater?) with ease while singlehandedly defeating the New York Knicks, who owned the best team record in the league, in six games. Two losses to open the Eastern Conference Finals as well as a NY-media bashing of Jordan for his late-night gambling trip to Atlantic City the night before Game 2 did not sit well with Michael. He responded in typical fashion, scoring 54 points in Game 4 to tie th e series and a triple double in Game 5 to take the lead. It was a wrap in Game 6, and Michael headed to the NBA Finals for the third straight year to face close friend and league-MVP Charles Barkley – a six-game slugfest that resulted in Michael recording the highest ever Finals scoring average, the biggest shot in Bulls history made by someone not named Michael, and a third NBA championship trophy. Things were back to normal again for Michael; the taste of winning was enough to keep him around, but only for a short period. After the tragic murder of James Jordan, Michaels father, on July 29th, 1993, Michael retired from the game of basketball later that year in October.
Certainly the most tumultuous season of Michael Jordan’s championship years came during the year of the Air Jordan VIII. Again, Michael debuted his next signature shoe during the NBA All-Star Game, showcasing the ‘Aqua’ colorway to match the dark-blue All-Star Game uniforms. Michael finished off the year wearing the white ‘Home’ colorway, and then the Black/Red pair for the Playoffs. The Air Jordan VIII was once again designed by Tinker Hatfield; the prominent featured of the shoe was the crossing instep straps – the first strap of any kind for an Air Jordan shoe, a frenzied yet controlled pattern on the mudguard, and a chenille Jumpman logo on the tongue. Like the Air Jordan VII, the VIII featured an inner sock-bootie construction for a snug fit and also featured Nike’s new lightweight Air cushioning (which would later be developed further into Zoom Air). Only three original colorways of the Air Jordan VIII exist, with a new Black/Chrome colorway releasing in 2003 and a slew of other off-Bulls color-combinations releasing in 2007. Continue reading for a full gallery of Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan VIII, and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next installment of Michael Jordan Through The Years in 2011.
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One of the biggest stories on Sneaker News last week was the Nike SB Dunk Pro Book, detailing the travels of the Nike Dunk from its original inception in 1985 to its skate-ready transformation in 2002. Nike is not one to turn a blind eye to even the smallest of details, as the Nike SB Dunk Pro Book is packaged in a special Nike SB cardboard case with taped ribbon stating “Delivered From The Future In A Cardboard Box”. Inside the package is the another special packaging – styled in a classic volume-style encyclopedia motif, bookended by the Nike Dunk sole both original and new.
Upon opening up the special book, you’ll see yet another volume placed inside a carved-out compartment; each page of the book features some of the most historic Nike SB Dunks and Nike SB Team riders, like Danny Supa, Dan Shimizu, and the most recent notable Eric Koston. There’s some imagery in here that you might have never seen (like factory workers assembling/inspecting the Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Low), making this worth a purchase for even the mildest of Dunk fans. Perhaps the timing is a little off, as this would have been a perfect option for a holiday gift, but something as awesome as this is good to get any time of the year. Continue reading for a look inside the Nike SB Dunk Pro Book and we’ll keep you posted on availability. via N-SB.
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The NBA has reverted back to the Point Guard Era, and Deron Williams is largely to credit for that. All he’s done so far this season is put up a career high in scoring average while maintaining his point guard duties and leading the Utah Jazz to one of the best records in the entire league. Deron Williams has been rocking arguably the best set of PE colorways of the Hyperfuse this season, like this white/green/blue pair for games at Home, where he’s averaging an MVP-esque 24 points, 9.5 assists, and 4.2 rebounds a game while shooting over at above a 50% clip. This particular pair was made just for D-Will for a pre-season game, and one lucky fan got the opportunity to not only keep the pair, but get the autographed. Autographs should be for keeps and not for means of profit, but hey, can’t knock the hustle. Take a look at the gallery of images after the jump a check out the auction from 23efren23 on eBay.
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January is right around the corner so here’s your chance to come some Nike SB’s for the new year early. Sneaker News already gave you a thorough preview of the Nike SB January 2011 Footwear, which included this new colorway of the Nike SB Zoom Bruin in Team Red and Flat Opal. The rich rouge tone hits the upper with a contrasting white swoosh and a dark gum-like sole on the bottom end. Surely more winter-ready (in terms of colors) with the ability to match dark corduroys and flannels, so take a look after the jump and grab them now at Flatspot.
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Jordan Brand describes the Jordan Evolution ’85 as the Air Jordan 1 through the eyes of contemporary design and ideas. Following the evolution of the Air Jordan Legacy from 1985 to what it has become today, the Jordan Evolution ’85 aims to capture the essence of the Legacy while touching upon both old-school design concepts and whatever’s ‘in’ at the moment. Arriving in January 2011 is the White, Black, and Metallic Silver colorway of the Evolution ’85; it features a speckled midsole and the slightly-translucent elephant print treated mudguard with a micro-perforated synthetic leather upper and a Jumpman placed impeccably on the tip of the forefoot strap. Dwyane Wade’s favored the Evo ’85 – will you? Jordan Brand retailers like Eastbay will have these available soon so check out the gallery after the jump and let us know what you think.
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Looks like Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG collaboration with Nike will add some new colors for its spring 2011 releases. We saw some red come in with Armstrong’s Team Radio Shack association last year and a bit of green and green is on tap for Q1 next year, but check out this new LIVESTRONG x Nike Trainer 1.2 sticks to the basics with a black and grey base adding select yellow accents including the LIVESTRONG-branded tongue tag. What better inspiration for a training shoe than a guy who could be the posterboy for persistence; the LIVESTRONG Trainer 1.2 just hit NikeStore.
Style: 433138-002
Color: Black/Black-Metallic Silver-White
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Nike Sportswear’s huge upcoming ‘Be True To Your Street’ collection is one degree from the classic BTTYS look, offering equally simple if differently blocked colorways that employ the finest materials. Here’s a Nike WMNS Dunk High that goes with a two-toned palette sure to get Oakland Raiders comparisons, but even if you’re not in NoCal, anyone can appreciate the buttery smooth black leather that comprises this shoe’s entire upper. It looks great with a metallic silver Swoosh too, and you can see more shots after the jump. via mita sneakers
Style: 407922-017
Color: Black/Metallic Silver-Black
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For the 2011 flagship Air Max model, Nike will shed the Flywire and go with Fuse. The three-layer mega-breathable material has been everywhere for Nike, from running, basketball, training, and anywhere else a lightweight breathable shoe would be a huge plus. We’ve already previewed many of the Air Max 2011 colorways but here’s another heads up for February; black/varsity red and black/electric green will begin to arrive then. Take another look at both colorways after the jump and stick with Sneaker News for more release information on the Air Max flagship shoe. via atmos.
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After Michael Jordan retired for good, Jordan Brand releasing some shoes more fitting for life AFTER the game. Shoes like the Jordan V.2 Grown, Jordan SS, Phly Legend, and other Lifestyle-inspired releases hit the Jordan Brand catalogue to appeal to the older crowd still looking for a sport look with the Jordan Brand label. The Jordan Classic ’82 might point to Michael’s first year as a Tar Heel; he finished his freshman year in ’82, beginning a legacy not yet known at the time. The Classic ’82 features smooth leather with lux perforations sprinkled around with a simple Jumpman on the tongue, a C82 logo on the heel, and visible Air on the heel. You can expect these at Jordan Brand retailers soon so take another look below and let us know what you think. via EST.
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The Nike Hyperfuse was an outstanding hit in 2010, grabbing the fourteenth spot in Sneaker News’ Top 30 Sneakers of 2010. With that said, the expectations are quite high for the Hyperfuse 2011, and at this point, the expectations might be met. We already gave you a thorough preview of a ton of upcoming colorways of the Hyperfuse 2011, but here’s a look at the actual shoes; the redesigned upper is obvious enough, with the swoosh placement going a bit more south in a very mid-late 90′s Nike Basketball style. The Fuse material also reaches higher at the ankle, ridding the Fuse 2011 of the collar that was on the original version. Let us know your opinions on this upcoming model – additional images await you below. via nkestyl.
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