23 years ago the sneaker that almost never was propelled the greatest there’s ever been to new heights. Individual and team accolades in the Air Jordan 3 cemented Michael Jordan?s status as the best in the game and a force for the future. In celebration of the sneaker?s return, we ran through MJ’s historic highlights in his storied signature. Take a look at the ten biggest moments and accomplishments by Mike in the silo that’s on everyone’s holiday wish list.
10. 1988 NBA Scoring Title
If KD or LeBron put up 35 points in a game you might say they ?went off?. Imagine them doing that night in, night out, for every game of the season, making more shots than they missed. It happened in 1988. Mike?s offensive onslaught set new heights for what could be consistently done by a sub-seven footer and was a solid follow up to his ridiculous 37 a night season. The collection of totals consisted of 59 point drumming?s of the Bad Boy Pistons and 52 hot ones on Clyde?s Blazers. He did it all in Air Jordan 3 and he?d use three colorways.
9. Two Comebacks in One
Wizard’s Era Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 3 “True Blue” & Black/CementBoth of MJ?s basketball comebacks coincided with the return of the Jordan 3. While he elected the Air Jordan 10 over the recent re-retro in ?94, he sported both the ?True Blues? and Black/Cements in the beginning days of his Wizard?s stint. Mike laced up the black pair as camera?s flashed days after his announcement and the uni-friendly colorway on court.
8. The Introduction of Mars Blackmon
We know you know, you know, you know, but it?s hard to overstate the importance of Mars Blackmon and the Air Jordan line. Spike Lee?s character kicked off an incredible campaign for the Air Jordan 3 with many more to follow. His vocal leadership kept the Jordan line street smart and solidified MJ?s quiet cool.
7. Making it Past the First Round
Michael Jordan Finishes in the Air Jordan 3 “Fire Red”A lot of new age up-and-comers take heat for their post-season plunders. Let?s not forget that it took Jordan four seasons to make it past the first round. He?d be ousted by perennial-rival Pistons shortly after, but the earned success gave him the confidence for future playoff dominance.
6. 1988 NBA All Star Game
Every year the NBA All-Star Game is a ?Who?s the Man?? snapshot of the league with the star of the moment putting on a trophy worthy performance. Who else would take home the hardware in Chicago? Only years after being ?froze-out? as a rookie, MJ asserted his dominance in front of a home crowd winning MVP honors with a 40 point, 8 boards, 3 dimes, 4 steals, and 4 blocks (that?s 8 stocks for you Simmons fans) stat line. Consider this a defining moment for the Black/Cement 3s.
5. 1988 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Michael Jordan Defends Ron Harper in the Air Jordan 3 “Fire Red”Lot?s of guys grab scoring titles by ball hogging and mastering spots on the floor, but how many of them get it done on the other end? In 1988 MJ asserted his dominance not only as the league’s top scorer but also as the alpha dog on the defensive end. Highlights from the other side of the ball show a young Jordan swatting shots like a lankier Dwight Howard and hounding guards Dennis Rodman style. His gritty and triumphant play in the AJ3 resulted in the Defensive Player of the Year Award and his first of nine First Team All-Defense honors.
4. 1988 Dunk Contest
Jordan?s athleticism and competitive streak never took a holiday. Prime example? The 1988 Dunk Contest. An epic duel and reoccurring rematch with power dunker Dominque Wilkins saw MJ repeat as the league?s best in flight. His performance inspired a run of ?Next Jordans? (Stackhouse, Kobe, VC) to partake in the right of passage while the Air Jordan 3 pushed brands to show out in the once-a-year spectacle.
3. First Winning Season with the Bulls
Coach Doug Collins with Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 3 “Fire Red”Ya, ya, all MJ does is win?but it took a while. Not until the ?88 season did Jordan’s Bulls finish above the .500 mark. It took some time, it took some experience, and maybe it took a new pair of sneakers. While a long lists of titles have been bestowed upon MJ it is ?winner? that will be remembered the most.
2. 1988 MVP
Three letters label the best player in the NBA each year. A scoring title, top Defensive Player honors, and team success culminated in MJ?s first MVP with four more to follow. No sneaker awards were given out back then, but we?re pretty sure the Jordan 3 would have swept all red carpet events.
1. Staying with Nike
Take a look at your feet. Wearing the Black/Silver 5s? Perhaps the recently released Light Graphite 14s? Almost didn?t happen. Legend has it that MJ was extremely close to ditching the Swoosh prior to his third signature. A guy named Tinker Hatfield changed the tune, saving the Air Jordan line and ultimately allowing all the great signatures that followed. We?ll never know what Mike?s kicks would?ve looked like had they donned a different logo or design team, but I think it?s safe to say we?re happy about the way it worked out.
