As Steph Curry looks to bring the Warriors their first championship in 40 years and LeBron James hopes to bring the Cavaliers their first ever, it was 24 years ago that Michael Jordan was leading the Chicago Bulls to the first of six titles. After years of getting knocked out in earlier rounds of the Playoffs, the Bulls felt that this was the year as they surged their way into the Finals. Their opponents during the 1991 Finals: the Magic Johnson-led Los Angeles Lakers–a true East vs West showdown. But his Airness wasn’t trying to have a long series, even though they lost a close Game 1 at home.
Game 2 was a statement game for MJ and the Bulls. They needed to show the world that Game 1 was a fluke so they came out firing on all cylinders. And they did, by putting a pounding to the Lakers. During that Game 2 clinic Jordan made a play that would instantly become a great moment in NBA history. During a stretch in which MJ scored 13 consecutive field goals, he received the ball at the top of the key with his momentum going towards the basket. As he rose to dunk the ball he saw Sam Perkins there to stop him. He says it was just “instinct” for him to switch to his left hand, glide through the air, and defy gravity to finish the play. Amazing.
That play more than sealed the deal for the Lakers that day. It was a statement to the Lakers; nothing would stop MJ from his first championship. For sneakerheads who already were in love with the Black/Infrared Air Jordan 6 that MJ was wearing, that moment in history made the sneaker so much more important. A defining moment for the AJ6, MJ, and the NBA.
Aaron Nojima
Robbie Falchi
Sneaker History