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Sneaker News brought you the Michael Jordan Through The Years feature as a way of placing a spotlight on each and every Air Jordan model, detailing the marquee highlights that magically occured during the lifespan of each particular shoe. There have been a number of memorable moments in Michael’s career that we can associate with one of his signature shoes (some of which we detailed last week), but in this latest installment of Michael Jordan Through The Years, the focus is now placed above his feet and onto the man responsible for orchestrating the greatest basketball dynasty of our generation and an equally ground-breaking signature line of performance basketball shoes. While his peers were quick to raise him up like a god-like being, Michael was always first to humanize himself, speaking of his failures and personal struggles that have consequently played major roles in shaping him into the legend he is today. As an appropriate ending to the Michael Jordan Through The Years feature, take a look at this gallery of images of Michael captured in some rare and special moments throughout his career, both on and off the court. The Sneaker News staff hopes you enjoyed the ride, and we look forward to a future of new Michael Jordan moments still to come through his Jordan Brand sneaker line and post-basketball endeavors.
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Michael Jordan has left countless marks in NBA history throughout his illustrious and storied career. He’s won six total championships, played in numerous NBA All-Star Games, and participated in some exciting games, and during each of those endeavors, he’s instilled a lasting memory in the forms of game-winning jump-shots, awe-inspiring aerial maneuvers, and heady displays of top-tier defense. Sneaker News has laid out a thorough history of Michael Jordan’s career, volumized by each Air Jordan shoe, but in this edition of Michael Jordan Through The Years, the SN staff has hand-selected some of most memorable moments of Michael Jordan wearing Air Jordans. From Air Jordan 1 to Air Jordan XVIII (minus a couple that Michael hasn’t worn in an NBA game), we’ve got a great recap of Michael’s career highlights, so take a look below and let us know which memorable Jordan moment is your favorite.
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Sneaker News’ Michael Jordan Through The Years has detailed Michael Jordan’s entire professional career in the Air Jordan. Beginning with the Air Jordan 1 and ending with the Air Jordan XVIII (don’t forget the three-part Air Jordan XI series), each and every Air Jordan on Michael’s feet was included in the feature. But keep in mind that Michael Jordan came before the Air Jordan, and that there were a few instances in his career during which he wasn’t representing his own signature shoes. Let’s begin with his collegiate years; Michael and the entire Tar Heels squad wore the Converse Pro Leather and Pro Star in a matching White/Carolina Blue colorway. It wasn’t until reaching the NBA that Michael signed on as a Nike athlete; on October 24th, 1985, the world of footwear changed forever.
Before the word ‘Air’ became synonymous with his name, Michael Jordan began his journey as a professional basketball player with the Nike Airship Hi in three colorways – White/White, White/Red, and Black/Red. Michael later debuted the Air Jordan 1, and the astounding international sales combined with Jordan’s apparent megastardom in the making pointed to a long-standing relationship between Michael and the Swoosh. Since the Airship Hi, Michael has rarely been seen without an Air Jordan shoe on the court, but he did appear in a few Nike Running, Training, and Basketball shoes, like the Air Trainer SC II High, Nike Air 180, and Nike Air Force Low for photoshoots, fan events, and other promos.
It wasn’t until 1995 when Michael would sport a non-Air Jordan shoe in an NBA game; when he came back from retirement in 1995, Michael unofficially debuted the Air Jordan XI during the second round of the Playoffs. The White/Black-Dark Concord colorway was an immediate crowd-pleaser, but didn’t do much for the NBA bigwigs, as the white/black colorway did not fall in line with team-uniform guidelines and was unsuitable for use. For Game 3 of that series, Michael, with no shoes to wear, borrowed a pair of the Nike Air Flight One from Penny Hardaway’s stash, and cut off the heeltab as it featured Penny’s One-Cent logo. Michael ended up dropping 40 points that game, but the Bulls were not able to win the game. Michael’s final non-Jordan appearance came during his Washington Wizards days, when he wore the Jordan Team F.B.I. in the White/Royal and White/Varsity Red. Continue reading for a recap of the Non-Air Jordan Edition of Michael Jordan Through The Years and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next installment of Michael Jordan Through The Years.
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We’ve covered Michael’s early years, his championship dynasties, his first and second retirement, his Wizards comeback, and the NBA All-Star Game, but Michael also dominated the game on an international level. Two distinguished spots on his wall of awards and achievements go to Olympic Gold Medals that he earned as part of the 1984 Olympic Mens Basketball team, which featured a number of non-professional players that would soon enter the NBA, as well as the historic 1992 Dream Team, long regarded as the greatest assembly of basketball players of all time. Michael was the shining star of both teams, leading the 1984 team with 17.1 points per game and averaging just under 15 for the Dream Team in 1992.
After being drafted by the Chicago Bulls, Michael joined the likes of Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, and Sam Perkins – future NBA stars – on the 1984 United States Mens Basketball team. One of Michael’s budding rivals on the Olympic stage was Yugoslavian standout Drazen Petrovic, a superstar in Europe who led his home country to a Bronze Medal in the ’84 Olympics and a Silver in ’92, and Michael spoke fondly of Drazen and their short-lived battles during Olympic and NBA play. Michael Jordan did not wear Nike basketball shoes during the 1984 Olympics, but instead the Converse Star Player basketball shoe, as the entire ’84 squad was outfitted by Converse footwear.
1992 was another story; Michael Jordan had just completed his second straight NBA Championship and his seventh signature Air Jordan shoe with Nike was released. For the Olympic Games, Michael debuted an ‘Olympic’ colorway of the Air Jordan VII, which featured a white base accented by navy blue, red, and gold. A bit of controversy surrounded the Air Jordan VII, Nike, and the Olympic marketing stage; both Nike and Reebok were battling for international recognition as the premier basketball brand, and some of the Dream Team athletes – including Jordan – who had lucrative contracts with Nike refused to wear the Reebok warm-up suits. Instead, Michael and fellow Nike athletes turned the collars down and draped American flags over their chests to conceal any Reebok branding of any kind. Michael’s Olympic career is rather short-lived, but there’s plenty to see below, so check out the Olympic Spotlight below and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next installment of Michael Jordan Through The Years.
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The 40-Year-Old Legend. Michael Jordan was set to retire at the end of the 2002-03 NBA Season, his second overall with the Washington Wizards and fifteenth overall in his career. By season’s end, MJ averaged 20 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game for the entire season; for anyone else, that stat-line could’ve been a career year, but for Michael, it was his lowest seasonal output. Michael did manage three 40-point games during the course of the season, which included a 45-point outburst against the Hornets on February 1st and a 43-point performance just days after his fortieth birthday. It didn’t matter that the Wizards were a sub-.500 team, or that Michael would officially end his career on a losing note; it was about his uncontainable love for the game, a passion that served as the driving force behind six NBA Championships, 5 MVPs, 6 NBA Finals MVPs, 10 Scoring Titles, and one of the most unlikeliest yet celebrated comebacks in the history of professional sports. It marked the next page of NBA superstar history, led by rising stars Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson, and Vince Carter, players who have risen to stardom using Michael as a blueprint. The league was in good hands.
There were plenty of memorable moments during his final season. Michael Jordan was not voted as a starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team, but was instead selected as a reserve. Starting Guards Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson offered their positions to Michael, who declined the generous offer. It wasn’t until moments before the game where Vince Carter shoved Michael, literally, onto the court right before tip-off. Michael Jordan typically shines brightest in the spotlight; he finished the game with 20 points, capping off an amazing performance with a go-ahead bucket with seconds to go via his signature fadeaway jumper, followed by his signature raised fist in celebration. The second half of the season served as a farewell tour for Michael; arenas were packed to see Michael’s final moments in action, hoping for a taste of 90′s dominance that Michael so easily possessed with his pump fakes, fadeaway jumpers, and clutch defense. In his final game as a professional, Michael, who was on the bench with just minutes to go, was coerced into the game by the chants of the Philadelphia crowd. Michael entered for one final minute of glory, and left with 1:45 to go, returned to the bench, and was given a 3-minute standing ovation by his teammates, opponents, the crowd, and the officials.
During his final season, Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan XVIII, the eighteenth shoe in the Air Jordan Legacy. Designed by long-time Nike designer Tate Kuerbis, the XVIII was inspired by a various collection of Michael’s passions, which included Formula-1 racing, race-car driving shoes, fine italian dress shoes, and Michael’s own Lamborghini Murcielago. The Air Jordan XVIII was released in February 2003 in a Black/Sport Royal colorway, and later followed by a White/Sport Royal and White/Varsity Red version later in the year. Two low-top versions in White/University Blue and Black/Metallic Silver were also introduced that year, followed by a classic Chicago Bulls Black/Varsity Red in 2008. Continue reading for a full visual recap of Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan XVIII, and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next installment of Michael Jordan Through The Years.
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He’s Baaack! That was the general headline across the nation when Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA, fueled by his passion for competition and urged by his love for the game. Michael made his season debut at Madison Square Garden, where he displayed his older form by tallying 19 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals. It only took Michael eight more games to break the 40-point mark, scoring 44 against the Utah Jazz, and he followed that up with a 51-point performance against the Charlotte Hornets. While Michael dazzled the crowd with his amazing performances, the Wizards, as a team, weren’t very good; the roster was filled with young, raw talent clearly in its rebuilding years, and the 2-9 start to the season was proof of that. But Michael, who is also acclaimed for his ability to improve the performance of those around him, led the young team to an astounding 20-game span in which the Wizards won sixteen games. Despite not being an elite team, the Wizards were undoubtedly the biggest fan draw in the NBA, selling out every Home game and filling arenas around the nation during road trips. Michael played just sixty games that season (cut short by injury), leaving the Wizards with a 30-30 record with twenty-two games to go.
Michael was also voted as a starter for the 2002 Eastern Conference All-Star Team; his mere presence outweighed that of the entire roster on both sides, and the All-Star Game festivities were heightened in celebration for Michael’s return, with a live performance by Mariah Carey . Of course, the highlight of Michael’s 13th All-Star Game performance was a missed slam-dunk that he clunked off the back of the rim during a solo fast-break, leaving the entire crowd and Michael himself in playful laughter. Other highlights of that season included a game-winning buzzer beater, which Michael immediately followed with his fist raised in the air, and perhaps his greatest blocked shot of his career when he pinned a Ron Mercer lay-up against the backboard. Michael’s career was rife with ups and downs, and his first season with Wizards was no different; Michael Jordan would openly criticize his teammates – particularly Kwame Brown, the 1st overall pick of the 2001 NBA Draft – leading to some minor tension in the locker room. This was nothing new for Jordan, as he was also remembered for berating teammates in front of other players during his days as a Chicago Bull.
During his first season with the Washington Wizards, Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan XVII – the seventeenth Air Jordan shoe in the Legacy. The XVII was designed with Michael’s older, post-Bulls era persona in mind by infusing a number of elements that defined Michael after the game of basketball. The overall design of the Air Jordan XVII was inspired by Jazz music, with minute graphics of musical notes etched into the upper shroud of the shoe. The outsole traction was again designed to mimic a golf course, and the shoes came packaged in a suitcase – a representation of Michael’s role as businessman. Four colorways were released; a White/College Blue-Black colorway, which Michael wore during Home games, a White/Black croc-skin version with a copper ‘bumper’, a Black/Metallic Silver version, and a Bulls-specific White/Varsity Red. The 2001-02 season was also one in which Michael frequently wore low-tops – particularly a White/University Blue and a White/Royal Blue PE. Arguably the most popular of the Lows was the ‘Lightning’ colorway that MJ wore during the All-Star Game. Continue reading for a full visual recap of the Michael Jordan Through The Years: Air Jordan XVII, and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next chapter of this great Jordan feature.
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The post-Michael Jordan era brought the NBA back to its earlier roots. The game wasn’t dominated by slashing guards, but instead by big-men of two kinds – the hulking behemoth and the flawless fundamentalist. In 1999, the San Antonio Spurs, led by second-year Center Tim Duncan, won the NBA Title during lockout-shortened season, and the following year, the Lakers won its first title in eleven seasons with Shaquille O’neal and young and talented guard Kobe Bryant – a player many deemed to be the ‘next Michael Jordan’. By Summer of 2001, the Lakers had repeated as NBA Champs, but the news-wire was buzzing not because of a budding dynasty in Los Angeles. The ‘third coming’ of Michael Jordan, who hinted at a possible come-back during the earlier parts of the year, had Jordan fans and the NBA at the edge of their seats, and on September 25th, 2001, Michael’s love for the game brought him out of retirement for the second time. Sparked by close friend Mario Lemieux’s return to hockey in the winter of 2000, Jordan decided to lace up his shoes for the team he served as President of Basketball Operations and debuted against the New York Knicks on October 30th, 2001.
For a short period of the 2001-02 pre-season and regular season, Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan XVI; the shoe marked a brand new era for Jordan Brand, as it was the first shoe since the Air Jordan II that was not designed by Tinker Hatfield. Instead, it was Nike’s Senior Footwear Designer Wilson Smith who was at the helm or this daunting task. One of the more interesting notes about the Air Jordan XVI was Smith’s decision to pay tribute to past Air Jordan designs – particularly the Air Jordan III, V, and XI. The bottom sole was designed after the golf course, which referenced Michael’s love for the sport and his celebrity golf tournament charity held in the Bahamas. The XVI was also the first Air Jordan shoe to feature a removable upper gaiter, which gave the shoe a dual personality – a lifestyle/casual shoe with the shroud, an athletic performance shoe without.
The Air Jordan XVI was released in a classic Chicago Bulls colorway of Black/Varsity Red as well as a White/Midnight Navy colorway to closely match the Wizards uniforms. A luxurious ‘Cherrywood’ colorway was also introduced in mid-2001, followed by a Light Ginger colorway in November – the only Air Jordan XVI colorway worn by Michael during a game. Two low-top versions of the Air Jordan XVI in White/Varsity Red and Black/Metallic Silver also made its way to shelves, but did not feature the signature removable gaiter that made the shoe supremely distinct from the rest of the Air Jordan line. While Michael did not wear the XVI for long, the shoe was represented well by Jordan Brand athletes Ray Allen, Michael Finley, and Eddie Jones, and was also worn by Jason Kidd and Chris Webber. Continue reading for a full summary of the Air Jordan XVI, and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next installment of Michael Jordan Through The Years.
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The 1998-99 season was a bonafide new ‘era’ in the NBA. A player lockout shortened the season by 32 games, and the Chicago Bulls were without Scottie Pippen, without Phil Jackson, without Dennis Rodman, and of course, without Michael Jordan. Michael officially announced his (second) retirement from the Chicago Bulls on January 13th, 1999. His final list of accomplishments was one not that could not be matched by 10 other All-Stars of that time; six NBA championships, 10 scoring titles, five MVPs, two Olympic Gold Medals, twenty-five game-winning shots – most notably the ‘Last Shot’ during Game 6 of the ’98 Finals or his floating jumper over the Cavaliers in ’90. Michael Jordan was one part comic-book super-hero; his incredible aerial maneuvers, electric aura, and spine-tingling presence made Jordan a caped crusader than a uniformed and coached athlete, but his emotions stemming from his father’s tragic death, his alleged gambling troubles, and the occasional loss reminded us the ‘Air Jordan’ was in fact human.
With Jordan’s retirement, the NBA horizon was entirely anew; the championship was any team’s to be had, and a gaping vacancy of the NBA throne was quite clear. But Michael poignantly and bluntly stated in his Hall of Fame Induction Speech, “Don’t look for the next Michael Jordan. There won’t be another Michael Jordan.” That statement is true any way you view it through the looking glass; there won’t be a dominant like figure like Michael ever again, but the game has changed and greatness can thrive elsewhere – in team play, in leadership, in defense, and so on. Michael and Jordan Brand teamed up to find greatness in other sports as well as basketball, pointing at Ray Allen, the talented shooting guard of the Milwaukee Bucks, Randy Moss, the lightning-fast wide receiver of the Minnesota Vikings, and Derek Jeter, the playoff performer and young leader of the New York Yankees. In those three individuals, Michael saw a reflection of his own greatness, and the four athletes along with Mary J. Blige’s ‘Overjoyed’ single were the central figures of Jordan Brand’s marketing campaign for the Air Jordan XV.
The Air Jordan XV was the first Air Jordan shoe to debut during Michael’s retirement. It was designed by Tinker Hatfield and inspired by the X-15 Aircraft, a NASA-developed futuristic rocket plane. The protruding tongue was a tribute to Michael’s signature habit of sticking out his tongue during games, and the woven kevlar upper and unique rubberized heel added futuristic notions to the shoe. The Air Jordan XV was also a significant milestone in the Air Jordan Legacy at the time, as Tinker Hatfield, the mastermind behind the Air Jordan series from the III, would call the XV his final Air Jordan shoe. The XV released in four different colorways alongside three low-top versions and an all-new ‘moc’ slip-on version – something useful for Michael now that he would spend his time lounging around rather than running up and down the court. The Air Jordan XV joins the Air Jordan IX as the only two Air Jordan shoes never to be worn by Michael (up to that point), but Air Jordans remained high in popularity despite Michael hanging it up for good. Continue reading for a recap of the Air Jordan XV and Michael’s retirement from the Bulls, and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next segment of Michael Jordan Through The Years.
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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.
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The last hurrah? Michael Jordan just seems to get better with age, and after leading the Chicago Bulls to 72 and 69 wins in the previous two seasons while capturing numerous individual awards, Michael at age 34-35 was as good as any other. Other NBA players are usually well into their decline at that age, but Mike not only stayed afloat, he was the buoy that kept the entire league above water with his exciting play. Leading the Chicago Bulls to a 62-win season and capturing his sixth NBA Championship (while earning the MVP trifecta), Michael Jordan capped off a legendary Bulls career going out on top – again. But the 1997-98 NBA season was a milestone era for Michael off the court as well, as Jordan Brand branched off from Nike and became its own independent brand.
The Air Jordan XIII was once again designed by Tinker Hatfield, who used the black panther as the inspiration behind the design. It was an alarmingly serendipitous circumstance because just two years prior to the Air Jordan XIII’s creation, Michael earned the nickname ‘Black Cat’. Call it coincidence – we’ll call it the the unification of two great minds. Alongside the Air Jordan XIII were Jordan Brand’s first non-Legacy designs under the Team Jordan umbrella. Jordan Brand also brought on its first team of NBA athletes, which included Ray Allen, Vin Baker, Michael Finley, Derek Anderson, Eddie Jones, and more. The highlight of the marketing campaign for the Air Jordan XIII was of Michael Jordan the ‘CEO’, as the net worth of his name and everything tied to it was valued at over $10 billion.
So what colorways did Michael exactly wear? For the regular season, he wore the White/Black and White/Red for Home and Away, and introduced a Black/White rendition for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. He would later wear that colorway during the 1998 NBA Playoffs, rotating them with the Black/Red as well as low-top PEs. In 2004, the Air Jordan XIII was re-issued in a number of colorways new and old, and again in 2010/2011. In 2010, the Air Jordan XIII was the third selection of the Jordan Brand Bin 23 Collection, a colorway that featured earthy brown and red tones. The Air Jordan XIII is considered as a favorite by many Jordan fans, but the 1997-98 NBA Season will be remembered for two different Air Jordan shoes. The first being the Air Jordan 1, which Michael wore during his last game at Madison Square Garden, and the second being an all-new design for his last game as a Chicago Bull. Continue reading for a complete visual recap of Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan XIII and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next installment of Michael Jordan Through The Years.
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