While the Reebok Pump is undoubtedly the most prominent of Reebok’s 1990s successes, there were plenty of other Reebok shoes from the era that were equally as important. The Reebok D-Factor Low seems unassuming at first glance. It looks like your typical ’90s affordably-priced basketball shoe: a little on the chunky side, no gimmicky technology, or fanciness that can drive up the price, it just gets the job done. But the hidden history behind this Reebok basketball shoe is that it was worn for one of the most important moments in Michael Jordan’s career. Of course, it wasn’t worn by MJ himself, but rather by his Chicago Bulls teammate, John Paxson. Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals, Chicago was facing the Phoenix Suns, led by Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson. The Bulls struggled the entire 4th quarter with only 9 points, in fact, MJ was the only Bulls player to score. The Suns failed to seal the deal after multiple opportunities and were leading by only 2 points, 98-96.
Normally you would expect Michael Jordan to have the last shot, especially with the Bulls trailing, but destiny would have it another way on June 20, 1993. With 14 seconds left in the game, Michael Jordan brought the ball up court, dished to Scottie Pippen who drove the lane, drawing defenders, he tossed the ball to Horace Grant who then kicked it out to John Paxson, who buried the 3-pointer to give the Bulls the win 99-98 and their 3rd NBA Championship in a row. On his feet that fateful night 25 years ago today? You guessed it, the Reebok D-Factor Low. You can grab a black on black pair on eBay now and see the kicks and the game-winning shot below.
Robbie Falchi
Aaron Nojima