Sneaker: Jordan I “Black/Red”

Jordan was a fixture in the Slam Dunk Contest throughout the 1980s, and it all started in his rookie season. Rocking the “Black/Red” Jordan I, which was famously banned by the NBA for uniform violations (even though this has been hotly contested—since some believe the Nike Air Ship, a predecessor to the Jordan I, was the shoe that led to the ban), Jordan soared effortlessly to the final round. Aside from the shoes, Jordan made multiple fashion statements throughout the contest. In the first round, Michael completed his first set of dunks completely in his Air Jordan warm-up gear. For the rest of the contest, Jordan was in uniform (those Chicago script logo throwbacks) and draped in multiple gold chains. Jordan had an uncanny ability to look cooler than everyone else on the basketball court, and this Dunk Contest is a perfect example of that. He would ultimately lose to Dominique Wilkins in the finals, but he would soon have his revenge.

Sneaker: Jordan I “Chicago”

“He is the most exciting, awesome player in the game today,” said an exasperated and relieved Larry Bird after a Game 2 victory in the 1986 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. “I think it’s just God disguised as Michael Jordan.” The high praise for Jordan was warranted after he scored an NBA-record 63 points in a double-overtime loss to the vaunted Boston Celtics, who would go on to win the NBA Championship.

Despite losing the game, the 63-point eruption established Jordan as a serious threat to the NBA’s elite in just his second pro season, as he simply dismantled the best team in the league. On his feet that night in the Boston Garden was the “Chicago” colorway of the Air Jordan I, which took center stage as he sliced and diced through the likes of Danny Ainge and Dennis Johnson, as well as putting Larry Bird on skates when the situation presented itself. Despite playing just 18 games his sophomore season due to a broken foot, Jordan’s electric playoff performance served as a preview of what was to come throughout his Hall of Fame career. Jordan Brand would commemorate this game in 2009 with the release of a Jordan I "Defining Moments" Pack, which featured both Bulls (albeit a different colorway from the one he actually wore during the game) and Celtics colorways of the legendary silhouette.

Sneaker: Jordan III “White/Cement”

By 1988, Michael Jordan was no stranger to the Slam Dunk Contest, the main event of the NBA’s All-Star Weekend festivities. But this year the event took place in Chicago, and the former champion faced stiff competition at the hands of Dominique Wilkins. One of the league’s most thunderous dunkers in his own right, Wilkins brought it to Jordan all night, countering his aerial acrobatics with devastating windmill after devastating windmill.

A true heavyweight bout, Jordan took flight one last time. With the crowd rising to its feet cheering on the hometown hero, Jordan took off from the free-throw line. Arm cocked, soaring through the air, propelled only by his “White/Cement” Jordan IIIs. The image of Jordan suspended in air, flying through the relic of Chicago Stadium, is one of the most important sports images of the 20th Century. He flushed the dunk and won the exciting back-and-forth contest, securing back-to-back victories and an unforgettable image for one of his greatest sneakers.

Sneaker: Jordan IV “Black/Cement”

You can’t think about the Jordan IV, one of the most important sneakers in the Jordan Brand lineage, without thinking about “The Shot.” Down by one with precious seconds on the clock and facing playoff elimination, Jordan fought through two defenders to receive the inbounds pass. He took two dribbles, rose up, double pumped, and sank a mid-range jumper from the foul line over the outstretched arms of Cavaliers guard Craig Ehlo. Jordan rejoiced and jumped through the air, pumping his fists before being mobbed by his teammates.

The win would propel the Bulls to the next round of the playoffs and elevated Jordan to a true playoff killer. The moment is still ubiquitous with NBA Playoff highlight reels, and every single time, you can clearly see the “Black/Cement” Jordan IVs playing a pivotal role.

Sneaker: Jordan VI “Black/Red”

By 1991, the only thing that eluded Michael Jordan in his illustrious career was an NBA Championship. He finally scratched and clawed his way to Finals, squaring off against none other than Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. After being upset at home in Game 1, Jordan made magic in Game 2. Surging down the court on a fast break, Jordan received a pass from Cliff Levingston just beyond the free-throw line. He took one dribble, gathered just inside the free-throw line and proceeded to go up for a patented right-handed dunk. Sensing a potential meeting at the rim with Lakers center (and his former UNC teammate) Sam Perkins, Jordan switched to his left hand in mid-air for a dazzling left-handed layup. Perkins never jumped to challenge, so Michael flew through the air, unopposed, for one of the most striking flights to the basket in his career, all while driven by the “Black/Red” Jordan VI.

The Bulls would win the game, before ultimately finishing off the Lakers in five. The Jordan VI has the powerful distinction of not only being the sneaker worn by Jordan when he won his first championship, but when he did the unthinkable. A “spectacular move,” indeed.

Sneaker: Jordan VII “Black/Red”

A lot of the chatter leading into the 1992 NBA Finals was the matchup between Jordan and Portland Trailblazers guard Clyde Drexler. Jordan put all of that noise to rest early in Game 1, knocking down six three-pointers in the FIRST HALF against the Trailblazers. Jordan, never known for his three-point prowess, only hit 27 three-pointers during that entire 1991-92 season. As always, Jordan rose to the occasion on the biggest stage.

After draining his sixth three-pointer over the outstretched arms of Clifford Robinson, Jordan turned to the commentators on the sideline, shook his head and shrugged, seemingly in disbelief. This simple action has become one of the most referenced things in Jordan’s entire on-court career; when you’re talking about “The Shrug” to Jordan fans, they know exactly what you’re speaking on. On his feet were the “Black/Red” Jordan VIIs, and while the world was used to them assisting his flights to the rim, they served as a catalyst for the greatest long-range shooting display of his career. Jordan would vanquish Drexler and the Trailblazers in six games, all while wearing the do-it-all Jordan VII.

Sneaker: Jordan X “Chicago”

In his fifth game back from retirement, Jordan was done feeling his way back into things. He erupted for 55 points against his old foe, the New York Knicks, at Madison Square Garden. Wearing the number 45 jersey and the Jordan X, this game would soon affectionately be referred to as the “Double Nickel” in Jordan folklore.

The performance would serve as a springboard for Jordan and the Bulls throughout the rest of the regular season, before ultimately falling short in the playoffs against the Orlando Magic. Jordan always terrorized the Knicks during his career, so it was appropriate he got his groove back against his old rival. It also proved to be the most significant moment of the Jordan X’s (and the number 45’s) short-lived on-court tenure.

Sneaker: Jordan XI “Concord”

After dispatching the Charlotte Hornets in round one with relative ease in his return to playoff basketball, Jordan opted to switch things up for his latest test against the Orlando Magic. Led by a young Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway, the Magic were salivating at the chance to knock off the Bulls and assert their dominance over the Eastern Conference. For Game 1, Jordan broke out a pair of never-before-seen “Concord” Jordan XIs to go with his “45” jersey, which set the world abuzz. Jordan only scored 19 points in that game and had the ball stolen from him in the game’s final minute, but it gave the world its first peek at what the Jordan XI would be.

Jordan would switch his shoes (and his jersey, reverting back to the number 23 for Game 2) throughout the series–including another Jordan XI fan favorite–before settling on the Jordan XI for the entirety of his iconic 1995-1996 season.

Sneaker: Jordan XI “Columbia”

Jordan always used the All-Star Game as a showcase for his sneaker line. He created an icon when he wore the “Black/Cement” III in the 1988 All-Star Game, erupting for 40 points in his first MVP performance. In 1992, Jordan broke out the infamous “Bordeaux” VIIs and in 1993, wore the “Aqua” VIIIs. It would prove to be the only time he ever wore those sneakers on an NBA court throughout his career.

Due to his retirement, Jordan wouldn’t see another All-Star Game until 1996 in San Antonio. He would keep up his streak of breaking out never-before-seen sneakers, rocking the “Columbia” Jordan XIs for the first and only time in his career. In bright teal jerseys, Jordan’s successful return to the All-Star Game spotlight resulted in another All-Star Game MVP and an Eastern Conference victory. The “Columbia” XIs (and those awesome jerseys) made for arguably his most memorable All-Star wardrobe.

Sneaker: Jordan XI “Black/Red”

The Jordan XI has the distinction of accompanying Michael Jordan throughout the greatest season in NBA history. The 1995-1996 Bulls steamrolled through the NBA en route to a 72-10 regular season record and an eventual fourth NBA championship for Jordan. At the culmination of Game 6, having finally defeated the Seattle Supersonics, Jordan collapsed on the floor of the locker room. Emotional and exhausted, Jordan lay there embracing the basketball, with his “Black/Red” Jordan XIs on his feet. Jordan and the Bulls completed the season on Father’s Day, and the 1996 title was the first Jordan had won since the death of his father, James, in 1993.

Jordan capped off the greatest season ever with another NBA Finals MVP, to go along with his regular season MVP award and All-Star Game award. Jordan could breathe a sigh of relief, he had reached the pinnacle once again.

Sneaker: Jordan XI “Space Jam”

While this game took place in an alternate reality, one could argue that Jordan never played in a game with higher stakes. In the movie Space Jam, Jordan and the Looney Tunes took on the Monstars from Moron Mountain. While the Monstars stole the talents of Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing and some of the NBA’s best, Jordan still managed to rise to the occasion, despite the insurmountable intergalactic odds. Before the opening tip, the camera zooms in on Jordan’s feet, where he is wearing the “Space Jam” Jordan XIs. The black patent leather shines on screen and a cult classic was born.

Earlier in the movie, the Looney Tunes spend time trying to procure Jordan’s IXs from his home in order for him to practice. While they get more screen time, it’s the XIs which became legend, just from that one close-up, and an arm-stretching game winner. Jordan did debut the “Space Jams” a year earlier during the 1995 Playoffs, but it was this moment in the film where they were catapulted to folklore status.

Sneaker: Jordan XII “Black/Red”

The “Black/Red” Jordan XIIs accompanied Jordan throughout the 1996-1997 season and through another dominating playoff run. But in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, they went from just another shoe in his arsenal to a piece of history. Leading up to a pivotal Game 5, tied at two games a piece in a hostile atmosphere, Jordan showed up to the arena in Salt Lake City very sick. Experiencing flu-like symptoms throughout the day, the Bulls weren’t sure what they were going to get out of the ailing Jordan. With the series hanging in the balance, Jordan once again rose to the occasion.

He scored 38 points, including a dagger three-pointer with less than a minute remaining. The Bulls held on for a victory before closing it out the next game back in Chicago. Jordan crept off the court, being held up by his “Flu Game” Jordan XIIs and his teammate, Scottie Pippen.

Sneaker: Jordan I “Chicago”

The “Chicago” Jordan Is already held a special place in NBA history, as they were on Jordan’s feet when he scored an NBA-record 63 points against the Boston Celtics in the 1986 Playoffs. They also received a poetic bookend moment 12 years later during Jordan’s final trip to Madison Square Garden as a member of the Chicago Bulls. To commemorate his final trip to one of his biggest rivals’ arenas, Jordan broke out a pair of original “Chicago” Is to go with his black Bulls uniform. Jordan would send the sneakers and The Garden off in style, scoring 42 points in a Bulls victory. He stepped onto the “World’s Most Famous Arena” for the last time as a member of the Bulls and promptly went out as only he could.

Sneaker: Jordan XIV “Black/Red”

For the final chapter of The Last Dance, Michael Jordan saved his greatest theatrics for last. After wearing the Jordan XIII for most of his final season in Chicago, Jordan decided to break out his never-before-seen Jordan XIVs for Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Jordan would switch back and forth over the ensuing games before ultimately settling back on the XIV for a potential championship-clinching Game 6.

Down one with the ball in his hands, Jordan dribbled at the top of the key as time ticked off the game clock. Staring down Bryon Russell and a raucous Utah crowd, Jordan began to make his move towards the basket with eight seconds left. He crossed over from right to left and Russell collapsed to the ground. Jordan gathered the ball and set up for a game winner. With nothing but daylight in front of him, Jordan rose up and drained the jumper, putting the Bulls up by one with five seconds left to play.

It would be his final shot as a member of the Bulls and served as the ultimate way to end a career (or so we thought at the time). Jordan capped off his sixth championship with one of the most famous shots in NBA history, all while introducing his black and red Jordan XIV to the world, which is now appropriately nicknamed the “Last Shot.”