If you have basic basketball knowledge, then Michael Jordan is probably a name you know. And if you have basic sneaker knowledge, then Air Jordan is definitely a name you know! So today, we’re gonna mix these two industries together (as we should), and have an important discussion. What Air Jordan championship shoes did Michael Jordan lace up when he snagged the 6 rings? You don’t have to wonder anymore because we’re gonna answer this question right now! And just in case you wanna expand your Air Jordan knowledge, here’s our comprehensive Air Jordan guide.
Jordan Championship Shoes That Made Sneaker History!
Before winning the championships, Michael Jordan was a rookie who scored a nice endorsement deal. And even during the years when the Bulls didn’t snatch the ring, he served some sick sneaker looks. Oh, and let’s not forget his days with the Wizards, where he gave us some memorable kicks! But our focus today is all about the Jordan championship shoe, so shall we?
1991 – Jordan 6 Infrared
Whether you watched the Last Dance or even are old enough to remember it, the Bulls-Pistons rivalry was unmatched. Since the late 80s, the Bulls were taking Ls from the Detroit Pistons. But in 1991, Michael Jordan bulked up, Scottie Pippen was shining, and the East Conference rivalry peaked. That year, the Bulls took down the Pistons, and in turn, won the finals and MJ got his first ring! And of course, he laced the iconic Jordan 6 Infrared during all that.
1992 – Jordan 7 Raptors
Fresh out of their 1991 triumph, the Chicago Bulls came back stronger than the year before! In fact, 1992 was the year that Michael Jordan potentially became the GOAT. Not only did he score his second ring with the Bulls, which is feat enough. He was also part of the Dream Team that won the gold medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics! Although he laced up the Jordan 7 throughout that year, he wore the Raptors colorway during the NBA finals.
1993 – Jordan 8 Playoffs
The first three-peat and third time’s the charm. Jordan and the Bulls secured a seat for themselves among the big boys. The only other teams that have a three-peat under their belts are the Minneapolis Lakers, Boston Celtics, and LA Lakers. And while MJ wore the Jordan 8 Playoffs when he won the third ring, the silhouette never caught big momentum. It probably has to do with the fact that the kicks were chunkier than usual, or that MJ never wore them again on the court.
1996 – Jordan 11 Bred
After the third ring, Michael Jordan retired (for the first time). However, less than two years later “he was back”. The next ring wouldn’t be back in the hands of the Bulls until 1996 though. And Jordan wore the AJ11 during that season. MJ obviously loved this silhouette the moment he saw it during the 1994-95 season, and it’s actually his favorite!
And let’s be fair, the 11s have a certain charm about them that we’re not able to fight off. It might have to do with a certain Bugs Bunny and Space Jam though… So, AJ11 is probably the most popular among the Jordan championship shoes, for obvious reasons!
1997 – Jordan 12 Taxi
This season gave us a game for history books: the flu game. Despite a sizzling high body temperature, MJ delivered an unforgettable game. He was so tired Scottie Pippen helped him out of the court! And that, kids, is how the black and red Jordan 12 got its name. However, when the Bulls won their 5th championship, Jordan had the black and white Taxi colorway on! Side note: That’s the only pair on the list that isn’t black and red.
1998 – Jordan 14 Last Shot
In 1998, Phil Jackson and the Bulls went in with vengeance, because they knew it was potentially their last year together. Behind the scenes, a management battle was ongoing, and that led to neither Phil Knight nor MJ renewing their contracts. However, on the front line, the Bulls were giving a standing ovation-worthy performance.
And when Jordan took his last shot during the finals, it was fitting to call the kicks by that name. Mind you, the Jordan 14 Last Shot was still a prototype! But MJ liked the silhouette so much that he wore the 14s instead of the 13s during Game 3. And this was all in 1998, but the kicks didn’t drop until 1999, so sneakerheads were dying of anticipation!
Why Should You Know All That?
Although that was the last of the Jordan championship shoes, MJ went back from retirement in 2001. It was obvious that he wore some of his favorite older silhouettes, but he made sure to give some love to the new releases. It feels kinda nostalgic, but even today you can get your hands on a pair of these babies. However, you’ll either have to wait for a retro or pay the painful resale price!
The reason we’re saying all of this is that whenever a retro, or anything similar, drops, it means profit. And when a pair is profitable or looks good, it’s a must-cop. This calls for a sneaker bot, proxies, and the best server available to score a pair or more. Now, if you manage to boost your side hustle with it, then kudos to you! If they don’t sell for much, well, they’re still a great addition to your sneaker collection! Godspeed
