The “Concord” Air Jordan 11 is undoubtedly the most anticipated sneaker left in 2011 (well, the Nike Air Yeezy 2 can rival this). This week, we received our first images of this iconic retro, and as we expected, the feedback was 100% positive. Why is this a special sneaker you ask? Of course, the black patent leather finish is a head-turning attribute, and the blue tinted outsole is a nice complimentary attribute. However, Michael Jordan totally dominated competition while wearing these during the 1995-96 NBA season. During that year, His Airness averaged 30.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists while the Bulls to a 72-10 regular season and a NBA Championship against the Seattle Supersonics. It may be the closest thing to a perfect season we have seen to date.
Do you remember MJ at his best? Check out our Michael Jordan’s 11 Best Games in the “Concord” Air Jordan 11 (72-10 Season) feature.
RELATED: Air Jordan 11 ?Concord? New Images (2011 Retro) | “Concord” Air Jordan 11 Packaging
Date: 11/03/1995
Victim: Charlotte Hornets
Stats: 42 points / 7 rebounds / 6 assists
Fueled by the 1995 Eastern Conference Semi-finals loss against the Orlando Magic, Michael Jordan and the Bulls were clearly on a mission from the start of the 1995-96 season. MJ torched the Hornets for 42 points in the first game of the season off of 16-29 shooting.
Date: 11/30/1995
Victim: Vancouver Grizzlies
Stats: 29 points / 3 rebounds / 4 assists
Of course, we have seen MJ scored more than 29 points many times; however, the stat sheet did not tell the whole story of MJ and the Bulls’ only trip to Vancouver during the 1995-96 NBA season. In a very ugly, drawn-out game, MJ overcame his early struggles and scored 19 points in the last six minutes of the game to propel his team to victory.
Date: 12/09/1995
Victim: Milwaukee Bucks
Stats: 45 points / 5 rebounds / 4 assists
Did Michael forget about the three-point line on the NBA hardwood? He obviously didn’t need to mosey behind the arc. MJ scored a whopping 45 points without attempting a three-pointer. Who needs the three-point line when your mid-range jumper is nearly perfect?
Date: 12/13/1995
Victim: Orlando Magic
Stats: 36 points / 6 rebounds / 2 assists
This was the first time MJ and the Chicago Bulls hosted the Penny and the Orlando Magic since the aforementioned 1995 Eastern Conference Semi-finals loss. His Airness exposed every hole in the Magic’s defense by scoring a game high 36 points, which including four three-pointers.
Date: 1/13/1996
Victim: Philadelphia 76ers
Stats: 48 points / 10 rebounds / 2 assists
Let’s not compare anybody to MJ anymore, okay? During this game, Jordan faced off with his deemed heir apparent (at the time), Jerry Stackhouse. Obviously, Jordan was not ready to give the torch up just yet as he posted a 48-point, 10-rebound performance.
Date: 01/18/1996
Victim: Toronto Raptors
Stats: 38 points / 9 rebounds
Toronto Raptors fans finally had something to cheer about during the 1995-96 NBA season. Rookie of the year Damon Stoudemire oohed and awed the crowd on a nightly basis with his speed and quickness; yet, when they hosted the Chicago Bulls for the first and only time during the 1995-96 NBA season, MJ brought a show of his own across the border. He torched the Raptors for 38 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a victory.
Date: 02/04/1996
Victim: Denver Nuggets
Stats: 39 points / 4 assists / 3 rebounds
It took awhile for MJ to adjust in this game with Dikembe Mutombo defending the goal in every drive. Yet, His Airness figured it out over the course of the game and ended up with 39 points, which included going 9-11 from the free-throw line.
Date: 2/16/1996
Victim: Minnesota Timberwolves
Stats: 35 points / 7 rebounds / 4 assists
An argument could have been made as to who rocked the best Air Jordan 11s in this game (Garnett laced up the “Columbia” Air Jordan 11); but, there was no question who had the best performance. In a 103-100 victory, MJ scored flirted with a double double by scoring 35 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Date: 02/18/1996
Victim: Indiana Pacers
Stats: 44 points / 7 assists / 5 rebounds
The Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls matchup was always great to watch considering the competitive level Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller brought to the bout. In this particular game, MJ got the best of Reggie by effortlessly scoring 44 points and dishing out seven assists.
Date: 3/7/1996
Victim: Detroit Pistons
Stats: 53 points / 11 rebounds / 6 steals
Detroit Pistons wingman Grant Hill was another player compared to Michael Jordan back in the day, and it seems in this game, MJ forcefully put the comparisons to bed. He scored a season high 53 points and added 11 rebounds for one of, if not his best game of the 1995-96 NBA regular season.
Date: 04/04/1996
Victim: Miami Heat
Stats: 40 points / 7 rebounds / 4 steals
Michael Jordan exploded for 40 points in one of the regular season games right before the 1996 NBA Playoffs. Unfortunately, the Heat had to face the Bulls just two weeks later in the first round of the postseason. We know how that turned out.
Bonus: 1995 NBA Playoffs – MJ Switches Back to #23
Date: 5/10/1995
Victim: Orlando Magic
Stats: 38 points / 7 rebounds / 3 assists
We added this game as a bonus because it was not apart of the timeless 72-10 NBA season. However, we cannot mention the “Concord” Air Jordan 11 without thinking about the MJ and the Bulls’ 1995 Eastern Conference Semi-finals series against the Orlando Magic. If you recall, MJ debuted the “Concord” Air Jordan 11 in game 1 of this series; yet, after a late turnover in game 1, Magic wingman Nick Anderson publicly stated that MJ “didn’t look like the old Michael Jordan”. Game 2 saw Michael Jordan switching back to #23 and going off for 38 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds.
