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On October 6, 1993, 23 years ago to the day, Michael Jordan retired from the game of basketball. Shortly following his first three-peat and the untimely passing of his father, a 30-year old Jordan in a press conference at the Berto Center containing hundreds of media members and his Chicago Bulls teammates, stepped away from the game he so gracefully dominated.
Jordan’s final season before his first retirement was a hallmark campaign that culminated in a third straight NBA championship for the Chicago Bulls. He led the league in scoring during the regular season with almost 33 points per contest. Additionally, Jordan poured in 40 or more points in four consecutive NBA Finals games leading to a 4-2 victory over league MVP Charles Barkley and his Phoenix Suns.
Michael Jordan Retirement Press ConferenceMJ also added another All-NBA First Team nomination to his tally while equally topping the league in steals. Jordan, of course, also appeared as a starter in the 43rd annual NBA All-Star Game that season. This would be his ninth appearance.
On a global stage, Jordan’s summer leading up to the ’92-’93 season was with the ‘Dream Team’ in Barcelona. This accumulation of the league’s best talent would become legendary in their dominance. They are often deemed the greatest basketball team ever assembled. Jordan, of course, was the team’s centerpiece.
But aside from career defining numbers and gold medal glory, Jordan also championed the season with unparalleled footwear moments. Thus, in honor of his first retirement 23 years ago today, we take a look back as some of his best footwear moments surrounding the Air Jordan 7 and Air Jordan 8, respectively. Scroll through below for a special edition of Nice Kicks Throwback Thursday.
