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The last time Michael Jordan retired, he was at the top of his game, the Bulls were undoubtedly the best team in the entire league, and the retirement itself came as a big surprise. In 1998, the circumstances were just a bit different. Their NBA Finals opponent was once again the Utah Jazz, a better Utah Jazz, the Bulls did not have the best record in the league, and Jordan’s looming retirement began to weigh down on the city of Chicago and its beloved Bulls. Even Dennis Rodman, Chicago’s primary counter to Karl Malone, was a bit distracted with his participation in pro-wrestling activities and such. Karl Malone, John Stockton and Co. already defeated the Bulls both times during the regular season, and followed that up with a Game 1 win in their home court. The outlook, while not bleak, did have Bulls fans on the edge of their seats, wondering if the flame had burned too quickly. Is this the way Michael Jordan would say goodbye to league?
The answer was simply ‘No’. Jordan and the Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in three straight games, setting up Game 5 in the United Center for a possible Home-town celebration of the Bulls’ sixth NBA Championship and final wave good-bye to the greatest player of all-time. For the second half of that game, Michael Jordan debuted the Air Jordan XIV, a super-sexy design that made his feet look like miniature sports cars. The Jazz managed to defeat the Bulls during the game, shifting the series and momentum back to Utah; Home-court advantage and undoubtedly the loudest crowd in sports history would definitely help the Jazz play the right notes and stay on key. With just 36 seconds left and up by one, the Utah Jazz were on their way to sealing the game and forcing a decisive Game 7. The crowd was roaring and the ball was thrown into the hands of Karl Malone, only to be adroitly stolen by Michael Jordan, one of the best defensive guards and pickpockets of all time. Jordan, with the ball in hand, dribbled up the court with an eerie calm, with a noticeable purpose. Something amazing was about to happen.
By the time Michael reached halfcourt, every conscious being in the building had a sense of what was about to happen. It was a strange feeling of deja-vu, or something like a dream sequence occurring in real life, a quick moment of mental disarray that leaves you with goosebumps and a stupefied demeanor. For Utah fans, it was a nightmare realized; the prior possession, Jordan scored a bucket in less than four seconds to cut the deficit to one, and by the time he had the ball in his hands, the game was lost. The Delta Center inhabitants and the millions of viewers around the world saw Michael Jordan drive right. They saw him bring the ball back to his left with a crossover. They saw the lone defender, Bryon Russell, fall his knees. They saw Michael Jordan, slightly to the left of the top of the key, sink a 20-foot jumper with perfect form, hitting nothing but the bottom of the net. It was Jordan’s ‘Last Shot, the one that put the Bulls ahead by one point with 5.2 seconds to go. It was the shot that gave Michael Jordan’s sixth championship. It was the shot the defined a legend.
The Air Jordan XIV was, once again, designed by Tinker Hatfield. Inspired by Jordan’s love for Italian cars – the Ferrari 550 Maranello to be specific – the Air Jordan XIV was Tinker Hatfield’s twelfth straight design of the Air Jordan. Tinker mentioned that with each model, the stories and muses behind each design got more deeper and involved into Michael’s life. The construction of the Air Jordan XIV was also unlike any other; it featured thinner materials on the upper, a low-profile Zoom Air cushion, and a new silhouette to give that true form-fitting appearance. Michael only wore the Black/Red colorway in a game, but had been spotted outside the basketball court with other colorways. After a successful release of Mid and Low-top versions in 1998 and 1999, the Air Jordan XIV was once again re-released in 2005 and 2006 in a number of colorways both new and old, and again in 2008 as part of the Collezione Package. Continue reading for a recap of Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan XIV and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next installment of Michael Jordan Throught The Years.
39 Responses to “Michael Jordan Through The Years: Air Jordan XIV”
February 24th, 2011 at 9:03 pm
one of the greatest shots ever and mj did it looking fresh with the 14s
February 24th, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Greatness
February 24th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
realease the 14 jb
February 24th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Re-Release these!!!!!
February 24th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
FRE$H…………….RE$PECT 23. And don't forget…………I'm the Bawse!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 24th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Nice move by Michael Jordan to shake off the defender and shoot the game winning shot! Jordan will ALWAYS be THE GREATEST PLAYER of ALL TIME! Can't wait for the next installment of M. Jordan through the years! RESPECT 23.
February 24th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
The 14s are very underrated
February 24th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
cant wait for 2012
February 24th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
this shot changed my life
February 24th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
if any shoe needed another retro, its this one
February 24th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
14's are my favorite jordans!!!
February 25th, 2011 at 12:01 am
All these photos have so much meaning in them. This gallery makes me a little happy inside. That may sound corny but idgaf. It makes me want to play ball and inspires me to try %110 and maybe ill be as good as him. Damnn. MICHAEL JORDAN IS WHERE AMAZING BEGAN.
February 25th, 2011 at 12:11 am
great time STEAL, sick CROSS, best SHOT ever…
February 25th, 2011 at 1:39 am
Best air jordan to play ball in. Need a fresh pair again.
February 25th, 2011 at 1:54 am
"chicago with the lead!" i catched this game live back in '08 ohhh… those were the days…
February 25th, 2011 at 3:42 am
those black/wht Pip 2s are slick too
February 25th, 2011 at 4:41 am
It was not not a cross, it was more of a push that the referee did not notice, Jordan is Jordan and so has been forgotten, though it was not the fairest move he has made …
February 25th, 2011 at 5:13 am
i know ckuthch shot to this day i still think its offensive foul on jordan he pushed off on russle but not hating though
February 25th, 2011 at 6:37 am
Ugly shits. From this one down it all went to hell.
February 25th, 2011 at 7:41 am
Not too sure but I don't think there will be a next installment. Very hard to find any pictures of Jordan in the XVs.
February 25th, 2011 at 8:25 am
looking at these pictures brings you back to times when everything was simple. anyone knows if they’re re-releasing these anytime soon.
February 25th, 2011 at 8:27 am
anyone here knows if they're re-releasing these again. reminds me of simple times.
February 25th, 2011 at 9:10 am
Last Shot = EPIC WIN
February 25th, 2011 at 9:13 am
That's a negative Ghost Rider
February 25th, 2011 at 9:20 am
MJ for the WINNNNN!!!!!!!!………………
Looking forward for the re-release of this shoes.
February 25th, 2011 at 9:39 am
FYI, Jordan admitted he pushed Byron Russell a little when he did the cross over, which is why you could Russell skidded.
February 25th, 2011 at 10:10 am
The G.O.A.T.
February 25th, 2011 at 10:36 am
why 2012
February 25th, 2011 at 10:38 am
real talk they r.. 14s r some throwed retros i wonder if they ever realese again n that black n red colorway
February 25th, 2011 at 11:48 am
I watched game 6 live. I can't believe it's been 13 years. Mike was incredible to watch. I feel fortunate to have lived through that era.
February 25th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
you aint lying Byron Russel gonna go to the grave asking for that foul
"the last shot(and pushoff)"
February 25th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
watching that clip take it back boy.
who else rememmber Terp legend and MJ's no 1 cheerleader Kieth "fresh suit" Booth
i dont think he got any run that whole season just a bunch of high fives
February 25th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
You prolly old as hell hahah go watch CNN and hush
February 25th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
basketball god
February 25th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
these are my favorite kicks of all time and best Jordan overall as well. Are there Jordan's with more tech? Yes. Jordan's more comfortable? Yes. But overall these are the GOAT of Jordans
February 25th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
what a perfect way to end the perfect career. MJ=Greatest there will ever be.
February 25th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Not that many pics of MJ wearing the 14s. But its gona be a real challenge for sneakernews to find Jordan wearing some 15s for next time
May 23rd, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Sneaker News you forgot about MJ's dunk from the freethrow line wearing the White/Black-Varsity Red XIV's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QK5l3AMJ2E&hd…
September 24th, 2011 at 4:29 am
Wow I must cnfoess you make some very trenchant points.