The Air Jordan 12 arrived for the 1996-97 season at a hundred and thirty five dollars, inspired by the rising-sun flag of Japan. The stitched radiant upper, premium leather, and Zoom Air made it one of the most durable performers Hatfield ever built, a genuine tank of a shoe.

Its defining moment is the Flu Game, Game 5 of the 1997 Finals against Utah, where a visibly sick Jordan scored 38 and collapsed into Scottie Pippen’s arms in the black and red pair. That image carries the 12 more than any colorway.

Taxi, Flu Game, Playoffs, and French Blue are the staples, and the OVO collaboration in 2016 gave it a luxury turn. The 12 is the shoe of grit, tied to the most famous display of toughness in Finals history.