What made the Air Jordan lineup as influential and impactful as it is today is the accomplishments of the man who wore these sneakers: Michael Jordan. He arguably has the greatest NBA career of all time, and during his two separate three-peat championship runs, MJ rocked sneakers that will forever be tied to the moments he hoisted the trophy. Those who grew up in this era or had the privilege of watching Jordan dominate his opponents night in and night out hold the sneakers he ACTUALLY wore above all. That’s why the enthusiasm around the retro of a sneaker MJ wore in the finals always brings out a crowd.
Below, we explore all six Air Jordan sneakers Michael Jordan wore when he clinched each of his NBA Finals victories, give context to why they’re so unique, and note the years they’ve been made available to the public.
Air Jordan 6 - 1990-1991 NBA Finals
Michael Jordan’s first of six NBA Championships came in 1991 when the Chicago Bulls defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the series. On his feet during his clinching game was the Air Jordan 6 Black Infrared, a sneaker that has since become one of the most recognizable Air Jordan sneakers ever. The upper construction has changed over the years, featuring durabuck, nubuck, or suede, with most panels coated in a sleek black hue. Pops of infrared come via the Jumpman logo along the lace cover, the lace lock, the stripe on the back heel tab, and the midsole details. Since its original release in 1991, the sneaker has been retroed four times: 2000, 2010 (as part of the Infrared Pack), 2014, and 2019.
Air Jordan 7 - 1991-1992 NBA Finals
Following the Bulls 1991 NBA Finals victory, the team won again during the 1992 season. Jordan laced up the sneakers he had been wearing all year, the Air Jordan 7, in the Playoff colorway. Today, many refer to the pair as the Raptors colorway, which resembles the color scheme of the Toronto-based NBA franchise. However, in 1992, the Raptors were still three years away from being added to the NBA. Across the nubuck sneaker are deep black hues coating most of the upper, similar to the previous AJ 6. However, alongside accenting red shades on the Jordan branding details and portions of the sole and tongue are pops of purple. Jordan Brand has since retroed the sneaker three times, in 2002, 2009 (as part of the DMP 60+ Pack), and 2012.
Air Jordan 8 - 1992-1993 NBA Finals
For the final sneaker Michael Jordan wore during his first three-peat, he laced up the Air Jordan 8 Playoffs. The pair was the last sneaker that MJ wore before his first retirement from the NBA, as he would move on to play minor league baseball until returning to the NBA nearly two years later. Like other playoff Air Jordan colorways, the silhouette comes primarily in a black palette with red accents. The accenting red hue hits the Jumpman on the chenille tongue tag, the outline of the “23” along the strap, parts of the white TPU graphic near the heel, and the outsole. Along the sockliner, we see a printed graphic reminiscent of this fashion era with its multi-color finish and intricate design. Following the original release in 1993, Jordan Brand has only brought this colorway back three times, most recently in 2023. Before this, the pair was released in 2007 and 2013.
Air Jordan 11 - 1994-1995 NBA Finals
After returning to the NBA in March 1995, Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan 10 but soon switched to the unreleased Air Jordan 11 during the playoffs. The story goes that MJ was told not to wear the sneakers yet, but he loved the design and feel so much that he went against Nike’s orders. As for the pair he wore when he clinched his fourth NBA Finals victory, MJ rocked the Air Jordan 11 Playoff, lovingly referred to by many as the Bred colorway today. Black ballistic mesh, patent leather, and smooth leather are on the sneaker, with red pops along the Jumpman near the heel and the rubber outsole. For its midsole, a white Phylon material is utilized for comfort. After the 1995 drop of the Jordan 11 Playoff, the sneaker has been retroed four times: 2001, 2008, 2012, and 2019.
Air Jordan 12 - 1996-1997 NBA Finals
Until this point, Michael Jordan had always rocked a pair of black and red Air Jordans in the NBA Finals when he and the Chicago Bulls secured the W. However, this changed in the 1996-1997 NBA season. Michael was wearing the Air Jordan 12 Playoff when the final buzzer rang throughout the arena. Many may remember the iconic Flu Game when MJ played with a 103-degree fever (likely from food poisoning and not the flu), but he wore that black and red AJ 12 the night before clinching the 'chip. For the Playoff AJ 12, white leather is used on the mudguard, and black tumbled leather is used across the rest of the upper. Pops of red land on the Jumpman atop the tongue and parts of the branding along the heel, while metallic silver hits the two Jumpman-laden eyelets and the stripe on the mudguard. Below sits a white and black midsole and tonal outsole. Since its 1997 release, the sneaker has only returned three times, most recently in 2022. Before the 2022 drop, we saw the model retro in 2004 and 2012.
Air Jordan 14 - 1997-1998 NBA Finals
Finally, Michael Jordan's illustrious NBA career and finals performances were concluded as he took to the court against the Utah Jazz in the 1997-1998 finals. During the regular season and most of the postseason, Jordan was rocking the Air Jordan 13 but chose to debut the Air Jordan 14 in the NBA Finals. Today, we refer to the black and red colorway of the Ferrari-inspired AJ 14 as The Last Shot due to MJ taking the final shot in his Bulls career in the sneaker (let's try to forget his days on the Wizards, shall we?). The Air Jordan 14 Last Shot was initially released in 1999, and later was retroed in 2005, 2011, and 2018.
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Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
