Michael Jordan dominated the sport throughout his entire career, but in the Air Jordan 12 he played some phenomenal games. MJ’s 38-point outing in the ’97 Finals while playing with the flu is being honored with the Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” later this year which got us thinking and looking through our notes of what other great games Michael Jordan had while wearing the Jordan 12.
There were a handful of great colorways of the Jordan 12 MJ wore on the court in the 1996-97 season and some good performances to compliment the shoes. Read below to see Michael Jordan’s 12 best games while he laced up with the Air Jordan 12.
Jordan’s Best Games Wearing the Air Jordan 12 White/Black-Varsity Red
For the better part of the 1996-97 season, Jordan took the White/Black-Varsity Red Air Jordan 12’s with him on the road to hook with the away jersey. Below are a few great games MJ had while wearing this colorup of the AJ12.
Date: 11/6/1996
Victim: Miami Heat
Stats: 50 points / 6 rebounds / 0 assists
Only 4 games into the 1996-97 season, Michael Jordan was not about to let anyone think he was fresh off of a holiday. The Heat looked to claim Eastern Conference supremacy at home early in the season. Unfortunately for them, MJ and the Bulls had other plans. The Bulls went to work beating Heat 106-100 while Jordan put up a cool 50 points.
Date: 11/23/1996
Victim: Utah Jazz*
Stats: 44 points / 6 rebounds / 4 assists
Though the Bulls were on fire starting the season with a 12-0, the winter cold came early when they had to face off against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. Chicago went into the 4th up by 3, but the Jazz pulled out the victory giving MJ and the Bulls the first L of the year. In the game, Jordan showed up big with 44 points, 6 boards, and 4 assists. In the end, the Bulls got revenge in the Finals.
Date: 12/3/1996
Victim: Milwaukee Bucks
Stats: 40 points / 6 rebounds / 6 assists
With the game tied up at 80 after 3 quarters, MJ went into Black Cat mode to defeat the young Bucks. Jordan racked up 44 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in a match-up against rookie Ray Allen and other eventual JB team member Vin Baker.
Jordan’s Best Games Wearing the Air Jordan 12 White/Black-Taxi
The “Taxi 12’s” were MJ’s go to shoe while at home at the United Center wearing it more than any other sneaker in Chitown in the 1996-97 season. Not just liked by Mike, other teammates that wore this colorway included Ron Harper and Robin (Scottie Pippen). Below are the best games MJ had wearing this pair.
Date: 12/28/1996
Victim: Cleveland Cavaliers
Stats: 45 points / 7 rebounds / 5 assists
His Airness delivered the Cavs a belated Christmas present exploding for 45 points in a 102-97 win. The well-rounded effort also included 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Would Jordan ever give Cleveland a break?
Date: 1/21/1997
Victim: New York Knicks
Stats: 51 points / 4 rebounds / 4 assists
After being called a ‘con man’ by Knicks Coach Jeff Van Gundy, MJ spanked the new-look Knicks by exploding for 51 points. The 51 points was a regular season high for Jordan in ’97 and a reminder to all that he was not the man to mess with.
Date: 2/11/1997
Victim: Charlotte Hornets
Stats: 43 points / 5 rebounds / 4 assists
Two days after being denied an All-Star Game MVP award, Jordan lit up Glenn Rice and the Hornets in an epic down-to-the-wire battle. Jordan and Rice went back in forth scoring 43 and 32 respectively. MJ got revenge by draining a game-winner to down the Hornets 103-100.
Date: 3/18/1997
Victim: Seattle Supersonics
Stats: 32 points / 18 rebounds / 2 assists
A rematch of the 96 NBA Finals saw Air Jordan and the Glove dueling it out again in epic fashion. Unfortunately for GP and the Sonics, the outcome was the same with the Bulls outlasting them in an overtime thriller. Not only did Jordan score a game-high 32 points and hit the OT game-winner but he also grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds.
Date: 4/14/1997
Victim: Toronto Raptors
Stats: 30 points / 11 rebounds / 10 assists
Jordan proved a bad host to the Raptors, toasting the northern visitors for his only triple-double of the regular season. His 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists proved too much for Damon Stoudamire and the rest of the Raps as the Bulls soared to a 117-100 victory.
Jordan’s Best Games Wearing the Air Jordan 12 Black/Varsity Red
The Black/Varsity Red color combination is as synonymous with MJ as is the number 23. Virtually every Air Jordan came and looked the best in this colorway. While many Jordans are known in this colorway as “bred”, these earned the nickname the “flu’s” due to Michael Jordan going off in the Finals while wearing this shoe. Though he wore this shoe the least out of any Air Jordan 12, one game in particular will never be forgotten.
Date: 6/11/1997
Victim: Utah Jazz
Stats: 38 points / 7 rebounds / 5 assists
The trainer said there was no way he could play, but with the series tied 2-2 there was no way Jordan would sit. Jordan overcame many defenders in his time, in no way would the flu ground him. The GOAT overcame a bad case of food poisoning to drop 38 points, grab 7 boards, and drop 5 dimes. When asked by a reporter how he did it he responded “We wanted it real bad.”
Jordan’s Best Games Wearing the Air Jordan 12 Black/White-Varsity Red
This Air Jordan 12 is known on the streets as the “Playoffs” although they debuted on MJ’s feet in the All-Star Game. As many cameras flickered, these were the shoes Jordan wore while winning his fifth ring, but he had many great games wearing these shoes in the 1996-97 season other than the last.
Date: 2/9/1997
Victim: NBA West All-Stars
Stats: 14 points / 11 rebounds / 11 assists
After being named a member of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players of All Time at halftime, MJ led the East All-Stars to win the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. He became the first and only player to ever record a triple-double in an All-Star Game. Despite his All-Star heroics, Glenn Rice was named the game MVP. The Cleveland crowd booed the decision. Little did they know Jordan would seek his revenge two days later.
Date: 4/27/1997
Victim: Washington Bullets
Stats: 55 points / 7 rebounds / 2 assists
With his team down at half, Jordan turned up the heat and led his team to a Game 2 victory in the first round of the Playoffs. Jordan dropped a season-high 55 points along with 7 rebounds and 2 assists. The Bulls would go on to sweep the Bullets.
Date: 6/13/1997
Victim: Utah Jazz
Stats: 39 points / 11 rebounds / 4 assists
Still carrying flu-like symptoms, Jordan led the Bulls to a Game 6 victory and his fifth NBA Championship. Jordan posted 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists, but is most known for his game-winning assist to sharpshooter Steve Kerr.
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