Cultural Significance
1985
image via The RooseveltsThe Air Jordan 1 White/Red-Black carries as much hoops history as just about any OG AJ. Michael Jordan wore this makeup alongside the “Banned” and “Black Toe” colorways for much of his first year campaign, which saw Rookie of the Year and NBA All-Star Game starter honors.
1986
image via?SI VaultThe most famous moment associated with the White/Red-Black AJ1 by most accounts is Game 2 of the 1986 Playoffs at the Boston Garden. After missing 64 games in the regular season with a broken foot, MJ came back in the postseason and returned to his first signature shoe. In that historic game, Jordan scored a then career high 63 points against Bird and the Celtics, hitting clutch free throws to send the game into overtime and delivering his most impressive performance to date. While the Celtics went on to sweep the Bulls, Jordan’s record still stands as the most points ever scored in a playoff game.
1998
For what was thought to be Jordan’s final hurrah at Madison Square Garden, MJ surprised everyone by breaking out a clean pair of the White/Red-Black AJ1 retros from 1995. He proved to be the ultimate showman and competitor, dazzling the New York crowd with a 42 point, 8 rebound, and 6 assist performance.
