Air Jordan II "White/Red" 

Issue Date: 11/17/1986 

Michael already had reached superstar status during his rookie campaign — his first cover as a Bull came in December of '84 — but back then SI wasn't too into sub .500 teams. His second pro cover came early in his third season after missing most of his second with a foot injury, and it was also the first time a pair of Js graced the front page.