HIS AIRNESS

Page 1

HIS AIRNESS

BY MARC HEERENVEEN




www.fullhouze.nl


AIR Jordan Early in 1984, Nike was a struggling

hoped to sign on with either company.

shoe company. The running shoe

Converse, with Larry Bird and Magic

phenomenon that has fueled their sales

Johnson on board as spokesmen,

in previous years was slowly dying

were not interested in offering a better

and they needed a way to revitalize

deal than Nike, and Adidas wasn’t

and reinvent themselves in order to

interested at all at the time; perhaps

appeal to another segment of the

due to Kathe Dassler’s death the same

market. At the same time, rookie player

year. While Jordan, himself, did not

Michael Jordan was already endorsing

initially see the significance of Nike’s

several products, but Nike hoped

offer, his agent, David Falk, saw a

that his appeal would generate sales.

golden opportunity in Nike’s offer to

Jordan, though, had other ideas. He

create a new line of shoes called “Air

had always preferred Adidas or the

Jordans.” and urged him to give Nike a

Converse shoes endorsed by North

chance.

Carolina Coach, Dean Smith, and



Michael Jordan Born February 17, 1963) is a former

from the free throw line in slam dunk

American professional basketball

contests, earned him the nicknames

player, active businessman, and

"Air Jordan" and "His Airness". He

majority owner of the Charlotte

also gained a reputation for being

Bobcats. His biography on the National

one of the best defensive players in

Basketball Association (NBA) website

basketball. In 1991, he won his first

states, "By acclamation, Michael

NBA championship with the Bulls, and

Jordan is the greatest basketball player

followed that achievement with titles

of all time." Jordan was one of the

in 1992 and 1993, securing a "three-

most effectively marketed athletes of

peat". Although Jordan abruptly retired

his generation and was instrumental in

from basketball at the beginning of

popularizing the NBA around the world

the 1993–94 NBA season to pursue

in the 1980s and 1990s.

a career in baseball, he rejoined the Bulls in 1995 and led them to three

After a standout career at the University

additional championships (1996, 1997,

of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where

and 1998) as well as an NBA-record

he was a member of the Tar Heels'

72 regular-season wins in the 1995–96

National Championship team in 1982,

NBA season. Jordan retired for a

Jordan joined the NBA's Chicago Bulls

second time in 1999, but returned for

in 1984. He quickly emerged as a

two more NBA seasons from 2001 to

league star, entertaining crowds with

2003 as a member of the Washington

his prolific scoring. His leaping ability,

Wizards.

illustrated by performing slam dunks


Jordan’s individual accolades and

Jordan is also noted for his product

accomplishments include five MVP

endorsements. He fueled the success

awards, ten All-NBA First Team

of Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers, which

designations, nine All-Defensive First

were introduced in 1985 and remain

Team honors, fourteen NBA All-Star

popular today. Jordan also starred in

Game appearances, three All-Star

the 1996 feature film Space Jam as

Game MVP awards, ten scoring titles,

himself. He is the majority owner and

three steals titles, six NBA Finals MVP

head of basketball operations for the

awards, and the 1988 NBA Defensive

NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats; he recently

Player of the Year Award.

won a bidding war to buy controlling

He holds the NBA records for highest

interest in the team from founding

career regular season scoring average

owner Robert L. Johnson.

(30.12 points per game) and highest career playoff scoring average (33.45 points per game). In 1999, he was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN, and was second to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press’s list of athletes of the century. He was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame on April 6, 2009 and was inducted on September 11, 2009.




Jordan was born in Brooklyn,

Motivated to prove his worth, Jordan

New York, the son of Deloris (née

became the star of Laney’s junior

Peoples), who worked in banking, and

varsity squad, and tallied several

James R. Jordan, Sr., an equipment

40 point games. The following summer,

supervisor. His family moved to

he grew four inches (10 cm) and

Wilmington, North Carolina, when he

trained rigorously. Upon earning a spot

was a toddler. Jordan attended Emsley

on the varsity roster, Jordan averaged

A. Laney High School in Wilmington,

about 20 points per game over his

where he anchored his athletic career

final two seasons of high school play.

by playing baseball, football, and

As a senior, he was selected to the

basketball. He tried out for the varsity

McDonald’s All-American Team after

basketball team during his sophomore

averaging a triple-double: 29.2 points,

year, but at 5’11” (1.80 m), he was

11.6 rebounds, and 10.1 assists.

deemed too short to play at that level. His taller friend, Harvest Leroy Smith, was the only sophomore to make the team.



In 1981, Jordan earned a basketball

17.7 ppg on 54.0% shooting, and

scholarship to the University of North

added 5.0 rebounds per game (rpg).

Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he

He was selected by consensus to the

majored in cultural geography. As a

NCAA All-American First Team in both

freshman in coach Dean Smith’s team-

his sophomore (1983) and junior (1984)

oriented system, he was named ACC

seasons. After winning the Naismith

Freshman of the Year after he averaged

and the Wooden College Player of

13.4 points per game (ppg) on 53.4%

the Year awards in 1984, Jordan left

shooting (field goal percentage). He

North Carolina one year before his

made the game-winning jump shot in

scheduled graduation to enter the 1984

the 1982 NCAA Championship game

NBA Draft. The Chicago Bulls selected

against Georgetown, which was led by

Jordan with the third overall pick, after

future NBA rival Patrick Ewing.

Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)

Jordan later described this shot as

and Sam Bowie (Portland Trail Blazers).

the major turning point in his basketball

Jordan returned to North Carolina to

career. During his three seasons at

complete his degree in 1986.

North Carolina, he averaged


During his first season in the NBA,

injury and a 30–52 record, the Bulls

Jordan averaged 28.2 ppg on 51.5%

made the playoffs. Jordan recovered in

shooting. He quickly became a fan

time to participate in the playoffs and

favorite even in opposing arenas,

performed well upon his return. Against

and appeared on the cover of Sports

a 1985–86 Boston Celtics team that is

Illustrated with the heading “A Star

often considered one of the greatest

is Born” just over a month into his

in NBA history, Jordan set the still-

professional career. Jordan was also

unbroken record for points in a playoff

voted in as an All-Star starter by the

game with 63 in Game 2. The Celtics,

fans in his rookie season. Controversy

however, managed to sweep the series.

arose before the All-Star game when word surfaced that several veteran

Jordan had recovered completely by

players, led by Isiah Thomas, were

the 1986–87 season, and had one

upset by the amount of attention

of the most prolific scoring seasons

Jordan was receiving. This led to a

in NBA history. He became the only

so called “freeze-out” on Jordan,

player other than Wilt Chamberlain

where players refused to pass him

to score 3,000 points in a season,

the ball throughout the game.[1] The

averaging a league high 37.1 points on

controversy left Jordan relatively

48.2% shooting. In addition, Jordan

unaffected when he returned to regular

demonstrated his defensive prowess,

season play, and he would go on to

as he became the first player in NBA

be voted Rookie of the Year. The Bulls

history to record 200 steals and 100

finished the season 38–44, and lost

blocks in a season. Despite Jordan’s

in the first round of the playoffs in four

success, Magic Johnson won the

games to the Milwaukee Bucks.

league’s Most Valuable Player Award. The Bulls reached 40 wins, and

Jordan’s second season was cut short

advanced to the playoffs for the third

by a broken foot which caused him

consecutive year. However, they were

to miss 64 games. Despite Jordan’s

again swept by the Celtics.




Jordan led the league in scoring again

moments of the deciding fifth game of

in the 1987–88 season, averaging 35.0

the series. However, the Pistons again

ppg on 53.5% shooting and won his

defeated the Bulls, this time in six

first league MVP award. He was also

games, by utilizing their “Jordan Rules”

named the Defensive Player of the Year,

method of guarding Jordan, which

as he had averaged 1.6 blocks and a

consisted of double and triple teaming

league high 3.16 steals per game.The

him every time he touched the ball.

Bulls finished 50–32, and made it out of the first round of the playoffs for the

The Bulls entered the 1989–90 season

first time in Jordan’s career, as they

as a team on the rise, with their core

defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five

group of Jordan and young improving

games. However, the Bulls then lost

players like Scottie Pippen and Horace

in five games to the more experienced

Grant, and under the guidance of new

Detroit Pistons, who were led by

coach Phil Jackson. Jordan averaged

Isiah Thomas and a group of physical

a league leading 33.6 ppg on 52.6%

players known as the “Bad Boys”.

shooting, to go with 6.9 rpg and 6.3 apg in leading the Bulls to a 55–27

In the 1988–89 season, Jordan again

record. They again advanced to the

led the league in scoring, averaging

Eastern Conference Finals beating

32.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting from the

the Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers en

field, along with 8 rpg and 8 assists

route. However, despite pushing the

per game (apg). The Bulls finished with

series to seven games, the Bulls lost

a 47–35 record, and advanced to the

to the Pistons for the third consecutive

Eastern Conference Finals, defeating

season.

the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks along the way. The Cavaliers series included a career highlight for Jordan when he hit a series-winning shot over Craig Ehlo in the closing


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First three-peat In the 1990–91 season, Jordan won

The Bulls compiled an outstanding

his second MVP award after averaging

15–2 record during the playoffs, and

31.5 ppg on 53.9% shooting, 6.0 rpg,

advanced to the NBA Finals for the

and 5.5 apg for the regular season.

first time in franchise history, where

The Bulls finished in first place in their

they beat the Los Angeles Lakers four

division for the first time in 16 years

games to one. Perhaps the best known

and set a franchise record with 61 wins

moment of the series came in Game

in the regular season. With Scottie

2 when, attempting a dunk, Jordan

Pippen developing into an All-Star,

avoided a potential Sam Perkins block

the Bulls elevated their play. The Bulls

by switching the ball from his right

defeated the New York Knicks and the

hand to his left in mid-air to lay the shot

Philadelphia 76ers in the opening two

in. In his first Finals appearance, Jordan

rounds of the playoffs. They advanced

posted per game averages of 31.2

to the Eastern Conference Finals where

points on 56% shooting from the field,

their rival, the Detroit Pistons, awaited

11.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 steals

them. However, this time the Bulls beat

and 1.4 blocks. Jordan won his first

the Pistons in a surprising sweep. In an

NBA Finals MVP award, and he cried

unusual ending to the fourth and final

while holding the NBA Finals trophy.

game, Isiah Thomas led his team off the court before the final minute had concluded. Most of the Pistons went directly to their locker room instead of shaking hands with the Bulls.



Jordan and the Bulls continued their dominance in the 1991–92 season, establishing a 67–15 record, topping their franchise record from 1990–91. Jordan won his second consecutive MVP award with averages of 30.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game on 52% shooting. After winning a physical 7-game series over the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs and finishing off the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Finals in 6 games, the Bulls met Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers in the Finals. The media, hoping to recreate a Magic-Bird rivalry, highlighted the similarities between “Air” Jordan and Clyde “The Glide” during the pre-Finals hype. In the first game, Jordan scored a Finals-record 35 points in the first half, including a record-setting six threepoint field goals. After the sixth threepointer, he jogged down the court shrugging as he looked courtside. Marv Albert, who broadcast the game, later stated that it was as if Jordan was saying, “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” The Bulls went on to win Game 1, and defeat the Blazers in six games. Jordan was named Finals MVP for the second year in a row and finished the series averaging 35.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 6.5 apg, while shooting 53% from the floor.




In 1992–93, despite a 32.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 5.5 apg campaign, Jordan’s streak of consecutive MVP seasons ended as he lost the award to his friend Charles Barkley. Coincidentally, Jordan and the Bulls met Barkley and his Phoenix Suns in the 1993 NBA Finals. The Bulls captured their third consecutive NBA championship on a game-winning shot by John Paxson and a last-second block by Horace Grant, but Jordan was once again Chicago’s catalyst. He averaged a Finals-record 41.0 ppg during the six-game series, and became the first player in NBA history to win three straight Finals MVP awards. He scored more than 30 points in every game of the series, including 40 or more points in 4 consecutive games. With his third Finals triumph, Jordan capped off a seven-year run where he attained seven scoring titles and three championships, but there were signs that Jordan was tiring of his massive celebrity and all of the nonbasketball hassles in his life.








“I’m back” In the 1993–94 season, the Jordan-less

Although he had not played in an NBA

Bulls notched a 55–27 record, and lost

game in a year and a half, Jordan

to the New York Knicks in the second

played well upon his return, making

round of the playoffs. But the 1994–95

a game-winning jump shot against

version of the Bulls was a shell of the

Atlanta in his fourth game back and

championship squad of just two years

scoring 55 points in a game against

earlier. Struggling at mid-season to

the Knicks at Madison Square Garden

ensure a spot in the playoffs, Chicago

on March 28, 1995. Boosted by

was 31–31 at one point in mid-March.

Jordan’s comeback, the Bulls made the

The team received a lift, however, when

playoffs and advanced to the Eastern

Jordan decided to return to the NBA

Conference Semi-finals against the

for the Bulls.

Orlando Magic. At the end of the first game of the series, though, Orlando’s

On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced

Nick Anderson would strip Jordan from

his return to the NBA through a pithy

behind, leading to the game-winning

press release: “I’m back.” The next

basket for the Magic; he would later

day, Jordan donned jersey number 45

comment that Jordan “didn’t look like

(his number with the Barons), as his

the old Michael Jordan”, after which

familiar 23 had been retired in his honor

Jordan returned to wearing his old

following his first retirement. He took

number (23). Jordan averaged 31

to the court with the Bulls to face the

points per game in that series, but

Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, scoring

Orlando prevailed in six games.

19 points. The game had the highest Nielsen rating of a regular season NBA game since 1975.




JORDAN 3


The Air Jordan 3 hit the streets in 1988.

as a focal point of the shoe as well as

To follow up an incredible year the year

became the new logo for the Air Jordan

before, a great pair of Jordan shoes

line. The Air Jordan 3 was also the first

was needed and fulfilled.

to feature a visible air unit. Lastly, the Air Jordan 3 featured elephant print on

Hatfield takes command

the upper. Though this material was

The Air Jordan 3 was the first of 14 Air

only used again on 1 other model, it set

Jordans designed by Tinker Hatfield.

a standard that the Jordan shoes are

The Air Jordan 3 also carried more

as much fashionable as functional.

of Jordan’s name on the shoe since

The Air Jordan 3 also is one of the

the man himself was an active part of

most famous shoes in the Air Jordan

the design of the shoe. The shoe was

lineup. On many polls, the Air Jordan

the perfect example of Tinker’s skill to

3 finishes as the greatest sneaker of all

blend fashion with function.

time.

A first of many

Marketing Monster

The Air Jordan 3 broke ground for

Nike created a personality ad campaign

many different aspects of the Nike Air

featuring the Mars Blackmon character

Jordan shoe line. First, the Air Jordan 3

who was created and played by

featured the “Jumpman” on the tongue

famous director and actor Spike Lee.

of the shoe. This silhouette of Jordan

This campaign followed Air Jordan for a

was to celebrate and commemorate

couple of years and is definitely one of

his Slam Dunk Contest victory the

the most appreciated Nike commercial

year before. Every Jordan after the

series through all time.

Air Jordan 3 features this Jumpman



Second three-peat Freshly motivated by the playoff defeat,

Finals MVP for a record fourth time,

Jordan trained aggressively for the

surpassing Magic Johnson’s three

1995–96 season. Strengthened by

Finals MVP awards. He also achieved

the addition of rebound specialist

only the second sweep of the MVP

Dennis Rodman, the Bulls dominated

Awards in the All-Star Game, regular

the league, starting the season 41–3,

season and NBA Finals, duplicating

and eventually finishing with the best

Willis Reed’s feat during the 1969–70

regular season record in NBA history:

season. Because this was Jordan’s first

72–10. Jordan led the league in

championship since his father’s death,

scoring with 30.4 ppg, and won the

and it was won on Father’s Day, Jordan

league’s regular season and All-Star

reacted very emotionally upon winning

Game MVP awards. In the playoffs,

the title, including a memorable scene

the Bulls lost only three games in

of him sobbing on the locker room floor

four series, defeating the Seattle

with the game ball.

SuperSonics in the NBA Finals to win the championship. Jordan was named


In the 1996–97 season, the Bulls

being feverish and dehydrated from

started out 69–11, but narrowly missed

a stomach virus. In what is known

out on a second consecutive 70-

as the “flu game”, Jordan scored 38

win season by losing their final two

points including the game-deciding

games to finish 69–13. However, this

three-pointer with less than a minute

year Jordan was beaten for the NBA

remaining. The Bulls won 90–88 and

MVP Award by Karl Malone. The team

went on to win the series in six games.

again advanced to the Finals, where

For the fifth time in as many Finals

they faced Malone and the Utah Jazz.

appearances, Jordan received the

The series against the Jazz featured

Finals MVP award. During the 1997

two of the more memorable clutch

NBA All-Star Game, Jordan posted

moments of Jordan’s career. He won

the first triple double in All-Star Game

Game 1 for the Bulls with a buzzer-

history in a victorious effort; however,

beating jump shot. In Game 5, with the

he did not receive the MVP award.

series tied 2–2, Jordan played despite



Jordan and the Bulls compiled a

The Bulls returned to Utah for Game

62–20 record in the 1997–98 season.

6 on June 14, 1998 leading the series

Jordan led the league with 28.7 points

3–2. Jordan executed a series of plays,

per game, securing his fifth regular-

considered to be one of the greatest

season MVP award, plus honors for

clutch performances in NBA Finals

All-NBA First Team, First Defensive

history. With the Bulls trailing 86–83

Team and the All-Star Game MVP. The

with 40 seconds remaining, coach

Bulls captured the Eastern Conference

Jackson called a timeout. When play

Championship for a third straight

resumed, Jordan received the inbound

season, including surviving a grueling

pass, drove to the basket, and hit a

seven-game series with Reggie

layup over several Jazz defenders.

Miller’s Indiana Pacers in the Eastern

The Jazz brought the ball upcourt and

Conference Finals; it was the first time

passed the ball to forward Karl Malone,

Jordan had played in a Game 7 since

who was set up in the low post and

the 1992 series with the Knicks. After

was being guarded by Rodman.

prevailing, they moved on for a rematch with the Jazz in the Finals.


Malone jostled with Rodman and

After a desperation three-point shot

caught the pass, but Jordan cut behind

by John Stockton missed, Jordan

him and swatted the ball out of his

and the Bulls claimed their sixth NBA

hands for a steal.[59] Jordan then

championship, and secured a second

slowly dribbled upcourt and paused at

three-peat. Once again, Jordan was

the top of the key, eyeing his defender,

voted the Finals MVP, having led all

Jazz guard Bryon Russell. With fewer

scorers by averaging 33.5 points per

than 10 seconds remaining, Jordan

game, including 45 in the deciding

started to dribble right, then crossed

Game 6. Jordan’s six Finals MVPs

over to his left, possibly pushing off

is a record; Shaquille O’Neal, Magic

Russell, although the officials did not

Johnson, and Tim Duncan are tied

call a foul. Jordan then released what

for second place with three apiece.

would be the climactic shot of his

The 1998 Finals holds the highest

career.

television rating of any Finals series in history, and Game 6 holds the highest television rating of any game in NBA history.




JORDAN 4



The Air Jordan 4 took the world by

Black-Cement, the shoe featured a

storm in 1989. Along with a career

unique texturing nicknamed “Cookies

season came a career sneaker.

& Cream� for its striking resemblance. The Air Jordan 4 was another

Tinker Hatfield once again designed

masterpiece to the Jordan lineup.

this shoe. The Air Jordan 4 featured many new design concepts. First, the

Mike flies to new heights

straps on the side for increased ankle

While wearing the Air Jordan 4, Michael

support. It was nearly impossible for

Jordan reached new points in his

MJ to roll his ankle in these shoes.

career. Taking home another scoring

The Air Jordan 4 again featured the

title with 32.5 points per game,

air sole heel for dded cushioning and

Jordan also appeared in the All-

a full length midsole. In the White/

Star Game, First Team NBA, and


JORDAN 4

All-Defense. This year was arguably

Spike Lee really liked these shoes

Jordan’s best year despite no

personally and gave them some extra

championship. It was in the Air Jordan

promotion in his movie Do The Right

4′s that Jordan made “the shot” which

Thing. A classic scene for all AJ fans is

was a series winning shot at the buzzer

when one of the persons in the movie

to advance the Bulls to the next round

gets his brand new AJ IV’s scuffed by

in a do or die situation.

a bicycle rider and flips out about it, places his shoe upon a fire-hydrant and

Spike likes Mike

cleans it with a toothbrush. Rent the

Nike continued the Jordan 4

movie today if you haven’t it!

commercials with Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee) and created the famous Can/Can’t TV commercial.





Honors and awards Jordan won numerous awards

• ACC Freshman of the Year –

and set many records during his

1981–82

career. The following are some of his

• 2-time Consensus NCAA All-

achievements:

American First Team – 1982–83, 1983–84

• Naismith Memorial Basketball

• ACC Men’s Basketball Player of the

Hall of Fame Class of 2009

Year – 1983–84

• 2 Olympic Gold Medals –

• USBWA College Player of the Year –

1984, 1992

1983–84

• 6-time NBA Champion

• Naismith College Player of the Year –

• 6-time NBA Finals MVP

1983–84

• 5-time NBA MVP

• John R. Wooden Award – 1983–84

• 10 NBA Scoring Titles

• Adolph Rupp Trophy – 1983–84

• 3-time steals leader

• Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the

• 3-time minutes leader

Year – 1991

• 14 NBA All-Star Selections

• Named one of the 50 Greatest

• 3-time NBA All-Star Game MVP

Players in NBA History in 1996

• 11 All-NBA Selections

• Ranked #1 by SLAM Magazine’s Top

• 9 All-Defensive First Team Selections

50 Players of All-Time

• 2-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest

• Ranked #1 by ESPN Sportscentury’s

Champion – 1987, 1988

Top 100 Athletes of the 20th century

• NBA Rookie of the Year – 1984–85

• Elected to North Carolina Sports Hall

• NBA Defensive Player of the Year –

of Fame

1987–88




JORDAN 5 The Air Jordan V (5) was released

A few elements were picked up from

in 1990. Phil Jackson took over as

its predecessor but it featured a great

head coach for the Bulls in the 89-

silver/reflex tounge and a clear/see-

90 season. This gave the Bull’s an

through rubber sole which gave it a

extra boost and everything was flying.

totally unique look. Also there were

Jordan kept on playing his game and

lacelocks which made it easy to strap

set a personal best when scoring 69

them on.

points in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The design is rumoured to be inspired by the WW2 Mustang fighter plane and

First flying design

the most obvious elements that shows

Once again Hatfield came up with a

this are the shark teeth shapes on the

revolutionary design for the new shoe.

midsole.













JORDAN 10 The Air Jordan 10 was released in 1994-95 despite Jordan’s absense from the NBA. The Air Jordan 10 featured a different shape than the previous Jordan shoes did. Not everyone plays like Mike Too bad for Mike (but good for all of his followers), baseball went on strike thus leaving Jordan hanging with nothing to do – that is if he didn’t return to the NBA. Sure enough, Jordan shocked everyone when he returned from retirement on March 19, 1995. Since his jersey had been retired, he had to go back onto the court wearing #45 until the technicalities were cleared out of the way. Surprised Nike? It seemed as if Nike wasn’t expecting to see Jordan back in the game so soon. Nike started to re-release older model’s of the Air Jordan series (Air Jordan 1, Air Jordan 2, Air Jordan 3) and the Air Jordan 10 soles featured an honor or an award from each year Michael had spent in the NBA.





JORDAN 12 The Air Jordan 12 was released in 1996-97 and were the first Air Jordan shoes in the Jordan Brand line. In this season, Jordan lost the MVP by the narrowest margin in NBA history to Karl Malone as he helped lead his Jazz to the NBA Finals only to fall to Jordan and the Bulls. Jordan wore the Air Jordan 12’s while he took home his fifth NBA title and fifth NBA Finals MVP. Love for Japan The Air Jordan 12 featured something very unique in terms of design. The Air Jordan 12 upper was stitched to resemble the Japanese Rising Sun flag. The Air Jordan 12 also was the most durable shoes out of the whole Jordan shoe series. In addition to this, the Air Jordan 12 provides the most ankle support which was great for keeping Jordan on the floor for the whole season.






JORDAN 13 The Air Jordan 13 was released in 1997-98 which was the last season that Jordan played for the Bulls. While wearing the Air Jordan 13’s Jordan broke Karemm Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA record by scoring double-digits for the 788th consecutive game. Jordan also led the bulls to the franchise’s sixth NBA Championship Title. Jordan took home his sixth ring along with his sixth Final MVP honor. Panther Paws Tinker Hatfield was the mastermind behind the genius design of the Air Jordan 13. The Air Jordan 13 is regarded as the best designed Jordan shoe by a large percentage of Jordan sneaker fans. The Air Jordan 13 was the first and only Jordan shoes to feature a hologram. The outsole received inspiration from the paws of a Panther. Jordan’s nickname on the court from fellow NBA players was “Black Cat” for his fast reflexes and speed down the court.












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