This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/23/2015
Michael Jordan's career was still just getting warmed up as far back as when the 1986-87 NBA season was unfolding. In just his third year of professional basketball, the man who would become “His Airness” was busy bouncing back from a foot injury that caused him to miss 64 games the previous season. In this third season, MJ recorded his highest points-per-game average (37.1) ever as he played in all 82 regular-season games and led the Bulls into the playoffs once again before being bounced by the Boston Celtics. This lot features a pair of Jordan’s game-used and dual-signed Nike “Air Jordan II” shoes that he wore during that memorable campaign. They can be style-matched to a Spurs game on Nov. 4, 1986 (cover of SI) as well as the 1987 All-Star game (Getty 84651077 & 84651093).
The likely size 13 shoes (no size is listed) show good game wear as the actual soles on both shoes have started to disintegrate over time. This model of Jordan’s shoes featured a full length Nike Air cushioned mid-sole that was revolutionary as it was one of the first basketball shoes that feature a soft mid-sole from heel to toe rather than a more “traditional” for the time rubber cup sole. These shoes were designed by Bruce Kilgore, a pioneer in early Nike Air basketball who also designed the Nike Air Ship - the only pair of pre-Air Jordan sneakers that MJ wore in game action before moving to his industry-shaking signature model line. (SCP Auctions sold the only MJ Air Ship gamers to ever hit the market in our last auction for $71,554.) The white shoes feature red trim and black highlights and include their original shoe laces. Jordan signed both shoes in black ink.
The consignor of this pair of sought-after shoes is the granddaughter of a former owner of “Al & Joe’s” – a once-famous submarine sandwich shop in Schiller Park, Illinois. The shop was well-known for its mouth-watering subs and was often frequented by several Chicago sports celebrities and locals during the ‘70s and ‘80s. Her grandfather became good friends with the old equipment manager for the Chicago Bulls who gifted him this pair of signed, game-worn Air Jordan II shoes after the former mentioned that his granddaughter was a huge fan of Michael Jordan.
Includes Letter of Provenance from the consignor. Full LOA from PSA/DNA for each shoe.