This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
Michael Jordan's already incredible basketball career reached new heights during the 1990-91 season when "His Airness" led the Chicago Bulls to the franchise’s first NBA Championship after disposing of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. It marked Michael's first NBA title as he would go on to win five more rings and claim Finals MVP each time. In the early part of the 1990-91 regular season (his 5th straight scoring title), MJ sported these very white Nike Air Jordan V sneakers from his signature line. One of the more popular designs from Tinker Hatfield emblazoned with his number “23” on the sides, Jordan first wore the V at the ’90 All-Star game through the Bulls’ loss to the Pistons in the 1990 NBA Finals and into the following championship season. By the 1991 All-Star break, he had primarily switched over to the VI series—another Hatfield design.
According to a notarized letter, this pair was originally given by
Jordan to NBA referee Jake O'Donnell and were presented as the pair MJ
wore in a January 18, 1991 road game against the Atlanta Hawks. Jordan
scored 30 points with 8 assists and 7 rebounds that evening (close to
his 31.5 ppg, 6 reb. & 5.5 ast. season averages), but was out-dueled
by Dominique Wilkins’ 34-point effort in a 104-95 loss. It is not known how many other games Jordan may have worn these. While he predominantly wore AJ-IV's in the 1991 playoffs, he sported this exact same style of AJ-V's in the 1991 NBA Finals at the Great Western Forum (Getty 453825484).
The white Air Jordan V's with red "23" embroidered numbers stitched on the outer ankles come in MJ's standard size 13 with their original white laces and lace locks as well as the original Nike Air insoles showing significant sock sweating. The visible air unit remained from previous designs in the red and black midsoles, which were patterned after a WWII fighter plane. Translucent outsoles reveal a large Jumpman logo within the bottoms. The thick fabric tongues have the Jumpman on the outside and a white "AIR JORDAN" patch on the inside. The interior Nike tagging is appropriately stamped with a manufacturing date of "900428 FT". The sneakers show solid game wear with a few red paint transfers, but unlike many examples the soles are in remarkable shape with no signs deterioration whatsoever. Both shoes are both signed by Jordan in a now faded 6-7/10 yellow marker on the upper ankles.
Each MJ autograph is backed by a full LOA from PSA/DNA.