John Kim 
It’s been quite a ride since the polls for the Sneaker News March Madness Non-OG Air Jordan Tournament first began with the Play-In round almost one month ago. A total of forty-eight Non-OG Air Jordans were up for consideration, starting with the twenty-four Play-In round candidates and the twenty-four that already cemented their spots in the Tournament. Both the Air Jordan V ‘Raging Bull’ and Air Jordan VI ‘DMP’ took down some intense competition to earn their rightful spots in the Finals, and with almost every match-up being decided by the slimmest of margins, a multitude of alternative scenarios could have been expected. However, it’s Raging Bull V vs. Defining Moments VI that will decide the worthy sneaker that will join the Air Jordan XI ‘Concord’, last year’s winner of the OG Air Jordan Tournament, as the two greatest Air Jordans of this generation. Continue on for the final voting round of the Sneaker News March Madness Non-OG Air Jordan Tournament because we’re just one step away from crowning the greatest Non-OG Air Jordan of all-time! The polls stay open until 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday night!
FINALS VOTING
SOUTHWEST [2] – Air Jordan V ‘Raging Bull’ vs. SOUTHEAST [2] Air Jordan VI ‘DMP’
SOUTHWEST [2] – Air Jordan V ‘Raging Bull’ – Whodathunk a Chicago Bulls colorway to be in the Finals of an outstanding spread of Non-OG Air Jordans? Just three of the field of thirty-two could qualify as possessing the classic Bulls crest – the other two being the Air Jordan III ‘Doernbecher’ and the Air Jordan IV ‘Laser’ – but neither was capable of flying beyond the Sweet 16 round. However, the Air Jordan V ‘Raging Bull’ of 2009 rose to the occasion by obliterating three ‘Cool Grey’ Air Jordans as well as the heavily-favored Air Jordan VI ‘Olympics’ to be deemed the Best of the West while earning a trip to the Championship round against a formidable opponent – the Air Jordan VI ‘DMP’.
Upholstered in a lush red suede and accentuated by the AJ5’s fine detailing, the Air Jordan V ‘Raging Bull’ – one half of the Toro Bravo Pack of 2009 – is without question one of the most visually stunning Air Jordans of all-time despite its relative youth in the deep catalog of Air Jordan Retros, but that’s hardly a reason for it to be any less of a worthy candidate. The ‘Raging Bull’ legend continues to grow so don’t be surprised if it wins it all!
—
SOUTHEAST [2] Air Jordan VI ‘DMP’ – At the time of the release, the Air Jordan VI was undoubtedly one of the most sought-after Air Jordans – period. Before the onslaught of Retro releases in 2010, the scarcity and treasured nature of the Air Jordan VI was matched by few other Air Jordans, so news of the VI’s return, let alone as part of a two-pair package, was some of the best news to ever hit the network of sneaker news and information. In January of 2006, Jordan Brand released the Defining Moments Package – two pairs of Air Jordans that paid necessary tribute to Michael Jordan’s Championship-winning years in 1991 and 1996.
Truthfully, the Air Jordan VI ‘DMP’ was just a re-done version of the popular ‘Infrared’ colorway with minor hints of metallic gold, but it was clear that Jordan Brand displayed its alchemic touch with this release because it had, without question, the toughest road to the Finals as it took down the Air Jordan IV ‘Eminem’, Air Jordan III ‘Doernbecher’, Air Jordan IV ‘UNDFTD’, and Air Jordan V ‘Laney’ on its way to the top. Not only was it the first ever ‘Pack’ release, it was the most thorough and effusive display of homage to Michael’s past achievements, placing a deep and rich history inside a sneaker that went beyond the basic Black/Gold colorway. Visually stunning and historically momentous, the Air Jordan VI ‘DMP’ is deserving of its spot in the Finals and has every shot at winning it all.
—
