The Chicago Bulls truly captured the entire world in the 1990s. From the 1991-93 titles to the second three-peat run, the Bulls weren’t just America’s team. They were the world’s team. Even if you were a fan of a rival squad, Michael Jordan and his crew captured the hearts and eyes of the world. Love them or hate them, the ’90s Bulls were it.
During the 1997-98 season, a film crew was allowed unprecedented access to capture the team in its quest for a historic second three-peat in what would be the last season for the team as a group. Michael Jordan would agree to let the tapes roll more than 20 years after the legendary bookend championship to the most critical organization in basketball history. “The Last Dance” captured the end of the dominant Bulls era like never before.
However, the players aren’t the only stars in this film. The supporting cast would come down to something, not someone, we all know and cherish — sneakers.
From Jordan’s early days in Converse as a member of the University of North Carolina to hitting the legendary last shot against the Utah Jazz in the Air Jordan 14, a handful of sneakers will make a cameo in the series. But Jordan wasn’t the only player rocking heat.
Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, the fundamental pillars on that Bulls team, were also focal points in the footwear world. From Pippen in his early Nike days to Rodman in both Converse and Nikes, the documentary is anticipated to be a gem for sneaker historians and overall enthusiasts.
Throughout the entire docu-series, we’ll be documenting every sneaker worn, mentioned or referenced in order of the first appearance. Let’s get started.
Episode 1
Air Jordan 13 “He Got Game”
+ One of the most legendary colorways of the AJ13
+ Word to Denzel Washington and Ray Allen
Nike Air Ship
+ Before the Air Jordan 1, there was the Nike Air Ship
+ Read more about the silhouette here
Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe”
+ You can never go wrong with the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe”
+MJ and the Bulls team golfed at Castle & Coasters before the 1993 NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns. Legends
Air Jordan 1 “Banned”
+ Learn about the Air Jordan 1 “Banned” here about how it earned its iconic name
+ His Airness rocking the multiple gold chains like an absolute legend
Air Jordan 1 “Chicago”
+ The Bulls need to bring the cursive jerseys back
+ From head to toe, Michael Jordan always got a fit off
Air Jordan 11 “Bred”
Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 11 “Bred” (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)+ The 1996 NBA Finals and the AJ11 would kick-off the second three-peat championship run
+ Learn about the complete history of the Air Jordan 11 here
Air Jordan 14 “Last Shot”
+ A picture is worth a thousand words
Air Jordan 11 “Concord”
+ When’s the last time you hooped in your “Concord” pair?
+ The Air Jordan 11 will forever be timeless
Converse Pro Leather
+ Jordan almost signed with Converse before signing with Nike
+ Before “The Last Shot” there was “The Shot”
Converse Star Player
+ Before gracing the NBA hardwood, MJ proved he could hoop at the highest level during the 1984 Olympics
+ Which Team USA Jordan was your favorite?
Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red”
+ By far one of the cleanest colorways of the Air Jordan 5 to exist
+ The pair dropped on SNKRS right at the start of the documentary. If you missed out as I did, you have another chance at the Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red” on May 2, 2020
Episode 2
Air Jordan 3 “White Cement”
+ Michael Jordan truly redefined Air
+ Which Air Jordan 3 colorway is the best of all-time?
Nike Air Pippen 2
+ The Nike Air Pippen 2 released in 1998. Forever a classic
+ Who else thinks we deserve a retro?
Nike Air Pippen 1
+ Scottie was the man, especially in his signature shoe line
+ The Pippen line is arguably one of the best signature lines of all-time right behind Jordan
Nike Air Jordan 13 “Chicago”
+ Never forget when Jordan dropped 49 points against the Clippers as Kobe was in Staple Center watching the game
+ The road uniforms with the AJ13 white and red combo was tough
Nike Enterprise
+ The Nike Enterprise raised a lot of eyebrows about what MJ was wearing
+ Should Nike retro the pair? (No cast included)
Air Jordan 1.5
+ At a glance, the Air Jordan 1.5 “Chicago” looks like a regular shoe. However, the difference is in the sole as it features the tooling from the Air Jordan 2
+ Despite its history, the pair was a sitter. However, prices skyrocketed during the episode. Jordan truly never misses
Air Jodan 1 Strap “Chicago”
+The Air Jordan 1 Strap “Chicago” was engineered to keep MJ’s foot secure as he was recovering from a severe injury that took place at the start of his sophomore season
+ The pair would auction off for thousands of dollars as the sample will forever be a part of the Jordan legacy
Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” (Dunk sole)
+ The Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” featured a Dunk sole. Imagine if these were to drop…just saying
+ Jordan would drop 63 points over the Boston Celtics during Game 2 of the 1986 playoffs. 1). Jordan was a sophomore 2). he scored 63 points without a three
Nike Air Maestro 1
+ Friendly reminder to give Scottie his roses (and his money)
+ Which one was better — the Nike Air Maestro 1 or the Nike Air Maestro 2?
Episode 3
Converse AS Rodman
+ The Converse AS Rodman is the most legendary one from his time with the brand as the model captured Rodman’s personality, tattoos, and accomplishments
+ The shoe had the seven marks on the side to commemorate Rodman’s rebounding titles, and the circle around the Converse logo mirrored his tattoo
Air Jordan 4 “Bred”
+ The Shot. Enough said (sorry Ehlo)
+ So clean, even Coach Jackson had to get a pair
Air Jordan 5 “Black Metallic”
+ Jordan rules in action
+ The all-black pair with the silver tongue and red accent created a masterpiece
Converse D-Rod
+ The “7” on the shoe was a nod to the number of times Rodman was crowned rebounding champion
+ This shoe argues for a retro treatment
Converse AS Springfield
+ Rodman’s effort on the court was genuinely unmatched
+ The quilted pattern on the upper gave the shoe an exquisite look
Converse AS 91
+ Possibly the most under-appreciated Converse that Rodman wore in his career
+ Coach had the heat on him
Air Jordan 12 “Cherry”
+ Although the colorway made a short appearance, we had to make sure it got some props
+ Side note: that uniform combination with the white upper on the “Cherry” colorway is perfection
Episode 4
Air Jordan 7 “Bordeaux”
+ The dark tones combined with the vino and gold is such a good look
+ The colorway last saw the retro treatment in 2015. Is it time for another re-release?
Air Jordan 6 “Infrared”
+ The Air Jordan 6 will forever be immortalized with Jordan’s first ring
+ Rodman was rocking with every shoe brand back in the day
Episode 5
Air Jordan 1 “Chicago”
+ We know we said we would only list a sneaker based on the first appearance, but we have to give this gem its respected flowers
+ 42 points. 8 rebounds. 6 assists. 3 steals. 1 block.
adidas KB8 (Crazy 8)
+ Two legends going at it in the 1998 NBA All-Star Game
+ Still crazy to see Kobe in this documentary. RIP.
Converse Weapon
+ Imagine if Converse signed Jordan?
+ The potential Isiah Thomas and MJ dynamic would’ve been fascinating
adidas Pro Model
+ The Three Stripes dropped the ball with Jordan (and later Kobe)
+ Jordan was so inclined to sign with adidas that he didn’t even want to meet with Nike
Air Jordan 1 “Bred”
+ Shoutout to Deloris Jordan. A true legend for making MJ meet with Nike
Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe”
+ According to the documentary, Jordan signed with Nike for 250 million
Air Jordan 4 “White Cement”
+ Although the pair last released in 2016, no one would be against another drop. Just saying
+ The AJ4 “White Cement” was a massive step from the AJ3 with its wings, eyelets and its heel tab
Air Jordan 5
+ Spike Lee took the Jordan line to a different level with his cultural influence
+ It’s gotta be the shoe!
Air Jordan 7 “True Red”
+ Jordan put the work on Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1992 NBA Finals
+ The colorway would later inspire the Air Jordan 7 “Raptors”
Nike Air Pegasus 92
+ The GOAT both off and on the court
+ The Nike Air Pegasus 92 “Olympic” re-released in 2016
Air Jordan 7 “Olympic”
+ Top-down, the jersey, and Air Jordan combo was fire
+ The last time this pair retroed was 2012. Wouldn’t be surprised if we saw these again in 2022
1992 Dream Team
+ Some gems were worn by the entire team
+ Take a look at eery sneaker worn by The Dream Team here
Nike Air Force 180
Converse Magic Olympic Mid
Nike Air Flight Lite
Episode 6
Air Jordan 8 “Playoffs”
+ A tradition like no other: black and red Jordans for the playoffs
+ Is the Air Jordan 8 an underrated member of the Jordan signature line?
Episode 7
Air Jordan 7 “Cardinal”
+ Who needs another pair of these?
+ Michael Jordan and Sports Illustrated were such an iconic duo (before baseball)
Air Jordan 9 Cleat
+ Jordan would pick up the number 45 for the first time since his high school days
+ This would be the only time Jordan would wear the AJ9 until his Wizards days
Episode 8
Air Jordan 10
+ “I’m back.”
+ Nick Anderson was one of the few that had his own AJ10 PE. Ironically enough, Anderson was wearing his pair when he stripped Michael in the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Nike Air Challenger LWP
+ Jordan with the drip
+ The silhouette was famously worn by another Nike legend — Andre Agassi
Air Jordan 11 “Concord”
+ Jordan would debut the Air Jordan 11 “Concord” against the Orlando Magic in the playoffs
+ The shine on that patent leather never gets old
Nike Air Flight One
+ Jordan would wear Penny Hardaway’s sneaker in Game 3 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals
+ This would mark the only time his Airness would wear another player’s shoe
Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam”
+ The film truly created memories
+ Anybody ready for Space Jam 2?
Nike Air Shake N’Destrukt
+ It was only right that Nike would test an eccentric model on a player with a vibrant personality
+ Although the pair saw a retro in 2017, no one would be against another one
Air Jordan 11 “Bred/Playoffs”
+ Truly one of the most iconic images of Jordan
+ The audio with the clip of Jordan in the locker room was extremely emotional to watch
Episode 9
Air Jordan 13 Low PE
+ One of the few times his Airness would wear a pair on-court that wouldn’t release
+ Which one out of the two pairs are you feeling more?
Air Jordan 13 “Bred”
+ The Air Jordan 13 “Bred’ was actually supposed to the be “The Last Shot” colorway. More on that later
+ Jordan Brand needs to re-release these in that vibrant red from the 1998 version
Air Jordan 12 “Playoffs”
+ Mid-range legend
+ The Air Jordan 12 “Playoffs” retroed in 2004 and 2012. Is it due for another release?
Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game”
+ So, are we renaming these the “Pizza Gates” instead?
+ Who believes this story? Let us know on social media
Episode 10
Unreleased Jordan
+ Jordan Brand has some dress shoes in the vault?
+ Going to need this for the club
Air Jordan 14 “Last Shot”
+ Jordan Brand should’ve shocked dropped these instead
+ The only time Jordan would rock these on the court. Talk about a statement debut
Jordan Centre Court
+ Grand opening, grand closing
+ Only a handful of pairs exist. Word to his Airness rocking that exclusive heat
