The Sneaker History of the Chicago Bulls Championship Seasons

Ask nearly any sneaker collector what got them into the shoe game, and they’ll tell you it was watching MJ ethering everyone in the league with Nike’s finest on his feet. Tinker Hatfield hit him with some classics, and Michael’s freak athleticism and unwillingness to back down created more than a few posters and championship rings. Here's the thing: It wasn't just him. The whole Bulls squad was notorious for having some of the illest shoes in the league at all times — nothing has really changed today, ask Rip and Nate. Last night's win over the Nets was nice but with D. Rose going down last year and likely out until next season all we can do as Chicago fans is appreciate the good ol' days. Hit the jump to check out A History Of Chicago Bulls Playoff Sneakers Worn During Their Six NBA Titles and be sure to let us know about your favorite shoes and moments from the greatest dynasty of all time — sit down, L.A. and Boston.

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Worn by: Michael Jordan

Year: 1991

In '91 the Magic versus Jordan hype might have been just as crazy as the LeBron versus Kobe hype (if they ever made it) even without the millions of bloggers. Jordan finally led the Bulls past the Bad Boys of Auburn Hills for a match-up against the Lakers in the NBA Finals. Michael and company took them down in five games in a series where it became clear he was the King of the League and the VIs became iconic before the Bulls ever popped bottles.

Worn by: Horace Grant, John Paxson

Year: 1991

Who can forget Dee Brown sneaking a peek through his forearm in these kicks to win the '91 NBA Slam Dunk Contest? Just as important was Grant and Paxson rocking the 'Boks to earn their first rings. Reebok's Pump Omni Lite was an all-around solid mid-cut basketball shoe featuring Hexalite cushioning (a step up from the Omni Zone's ERS) and the Pumps went hard in the streets, having everyone pumping it up in between TV timeouts. (Yes, we see you in the Twilight Zones, Smooth.)

Worn by: Craig Hodges

Year: 1991

Probably better known on Karl Malone's feet among others but that didn't stop three-point specialist Craig Hodges from lacing up in one of LA Gear's greatest models. In all honesty Hodges could have played in PF Flyers and still hit damn near every bomb he took. Underrated — the player and the sneaks.

Worn by: Scottie Pippen

Year: 1991

Although Pippen later received his own signature series through Nike, some of his most memorable sneaker moments came in general releases during Chicago's first string of title runs. During the ’91 season Pip took to the Flight Lite Highs as his sneaker of choice. The durable and secure high-top was decades ahead of sneakers like the KD Vs in terms of a shoe light enough to play the wing but tough enough to handle the post when needed. Yo, the Knicks remember — Scottie was not about to be punked.

Worn by: Michael Jordan

Year: 1992

The shoe that helped His Airness wrap up back-to-back NBA titles with a decisive win over the Blazers and the greatest shrug pre-Kanye. You can call them the "Raptor" VIIs, "Charcoal" VIIs, whatever — but to us these will always be the Js with the most comfortable bootie-liner that Jordan dominated the post season in once again.

Worn by: Horace Grant

Year: 1992

It would be the last time we saw Horace rock Reebok in Chicago, and he definitely repped the brand right, holding down the four-spot in the Omni Zone IIIs. These joints might not top everyone's "bring 'em back" list but in terms of durability, performance, and comfort they really were one of the better shoes to hit the floor in 1992. Add Hexalite cushioning, the iconic orange Pump, and Horace's Urkel googles and you got a piece of basketball history often overlooked.

Worn by: John Paxson

Year: 1992

Pax was also down with Reebok, usually favoring lower-cut versions over the high-tops because there was some unwritten rule that white players had to have longer tube socks than shorts — the kicks only added to the illusion. Either way John was money from 20 feet and beyond, helping keep the lanes open for Mike and Scottie to wreak havoc. If we're remembering correctly, the Double Pump was even more expensive than Jordans — and it would have been super-difficult to find as a low. #veryrare

Worn by: Scottie Pippen

Year: 1992

In the ’92 Playoffs, Scottie went with the sequel of the Air Flight Lite and picked up right where he left off in superior hoop shoes. The maximum comfort and low-to-the-floor feel allowed him to run the point forward spot with maximum speed and control — exposing mismatches damn near every night.

Worn by: Michael Jordan

Year: 1993

1993 was a good year for Nike. Mike took things personal and took things out on everyone in the league, including the Suns after losing out on the league MVP to Charles Barkley just days before their series tipped off. Dropping 41 points a game, including a 55-point showing in Game Four, Jordan proved it’s probably a little bit more than the shoes.

Worn by: BJ Armstrong

Year: 1993

One look you would think these were a center's shoe, but the Ballistic Force High was popular among point guards like BJ and John Stockton allowing the players to stop and drop dimes to cutting teammates without rolling an ankle. The midfoot strap was the Flywire of '93, every shoe had to have it or it lost credibility — ask our homie, Benjamin Roy.

Worn by: Horace Grant

Year: 1993

Not quite as dope as 'Sheed playing in the Air Force One High but still a great sneaker from the '92-93 season worn by every type of player on every team. The Air Force High was extension of where Nike's Basketball line was going transforming from a bulky high-top shoe to something lighter without losing support (thanks to the strap). We don't anticipate these being on a holiday retro release anytime soon, but definitely a great shoe for its time.

Worn by: Scottie Pippen, Stacey King

Year: 1993

The all-red All-Star Maestros still go hard today but you already know Da Bulls were only fucking with black kicks come playoff time. Besides being a good look design wise, the performance tested out better than most basketball sneakers thanks to Nike ditching the 30-pound high tops for something a little lighter and more breathable. White laces, though, Scottie? You think you're a Celtic?

Worn by: John Paxson

Year: 1993

Paxson continued to hold down the arc in his low-cut black and white Reeboks throughout the Phoenix series. As historic as Jordan has always been, it's actually JP's three-ball in Game Six that helped shut the series down and keep Reebok's street cred on lock — well, as good as it could for John Paxson wearing them.

Worn by: Michael Jordan, Ron Harper, Randy Brown

Year: 1996

The Jordan XIs actually debuted during the 1995 NBA Playoffs but in '96 Mike had the Bulls back on their grind, winning a league-record 72 games with the addition of rebounding/defensive/psychological specialist Dennis Rodman. The season also featured one of the greatest sneakers of all time, the Jordan XI. Like Mike never left, Nike kept the black Playoffs look at the forefront, letting foes know it was reppin' time.

Worn by: Steve Kerr, Jud Buechler

Year: 1996

Reggie Miller broke the three-point record in these, Gary Payton recorded his 2,000th steal, and two white dudes on the Bulls got their first rings in the Air Thrill Flight. Nike was dropping so much heat these was semi-overlooked in the sneaker class of '96. The sneaker shared many design ideas as the bugged-out Zoom Flight '95s — Nike doing what it does best, making multiple hot shoes based off one idea.

Worn by: Scottie Pippen, Randy Brown

Year: 1996

There were never any questions about whose shoe Pip was wearing when he came out in the Nike Air More Uptempo. That "AIR" lettering was massive, even larger than the full-length Air cushioning that gave the shoe its name. Luc Longley not only didn't get the ball here, he had to settle for wearing the previous year's model. Bummer.

Worn by: Dennis Rodman

Year: 1996

The Bulls re-upped their arsenal in the summer of 1995 for the '95-96 season, which included acquiring the outstanding rebounder, defender, and straight-up annoying guy to play against, Dennis Rodman. It worked — the Bulls won a League-record 72 games and cruised through the playoffs. Being down with the Bulls usually meant you had an in with Nike as well. The Swoosh hooked The Worm up with some shoes as unique as his multi-colored hair with the Shake Ndestrukts, known for their side lacing system, large branding across the front of the shoe and outdoor-ready ruggedness.

Worn by: Toni Kukoc, Luc Longley, Bill Wennington, John Salley,

Year: 1996

One of the most popular basketball shoes for the '95-96 season, they were worn by NBA stars like David Robinson and Scottie Pippen but in the playoffs it was actually the Bulls role players who had an affinity for the Air Max Uptempos. The shoe was extremely lightweight even though it had such a bulky look, and featured durability, support, and flexibility to hold up to all aspects of the game and allow someone like Kukoc to play four positions in the same game. (Yes, that's Vincent Askew in the Reebok Blasts.)

Worn by: Michael Jordan

Year: 1997

The "Playoff" Jordan XIIs were one of the most celebrated retro releases in 2012 even though Jordan rarely rocked them in the '97 Playoffs, deferring to the black and red colorway. The black, white, and silver colorway looked clean but it just didn't really follow the same thread of Jordan's past post-season kicks. We were glad to see these back on shelves but the "Bred" look will always reign supreme.

Worn by: Michael Jordan, Randy Brown, Luc Longley

Year: 1997

Most sports writers rank Jordan’s “Flu Game” as one of the most courageous moments in sports history. How many players you know can score 38 points on the biggest of stages while violently ill? The XIIs will always be symbolic of the amazing series and Jordan’s fifth NBA title, representing in the playoff black and red.

Worn by: Brian Williams

Year: 1997

Brian Williams' NBA journey was an undeniably strange one. Williams officially changed his name to "Bison Dele" in 1998, after leaving the Bulls for the rival Pistons. He abruptly retired before the 1999 season, and went missing in 2002 — apparently murdered at sea by his own brother. But in 1997 he was simply a talented young player, a steady reserve for the Bulls whose taste in footwear ran to the simple.

Worn by: Ron Harper

Year: 1997

The distant cousin of a few other Air Uptempos including the ones that saw a comeback duing the 2012 Olympics — these shoes aren't as classic as their pricier relatives, but still worthy of a mention. The sneaker shares a similar cut to the Air Max Uptempo '97 but utilized a smaller Air bag to hold down wings like Ron Harper.

Worn by: Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc, Jason Caffey

Year: 1997

Scottie Pippen's first signature shoe from Nike was a hit to everyone but him. Scottie preferred lower-profile Zoom Air to the more pillowy Max, and Pip's personal size 16 PEs would feature Visible Zoom instead of the market version's full-length Max (his teammates wore the general release variety). But the Max bags balanced the wavy upper lovely, and the Pips made their mark on the streets as well as the courts.

Worn by: Steve Kerr, Jud Buechler

Year: 1997, 1998

Steve Kerr and Jud Buechler must have had the same Nike connect and it couldn't have been that good if they rocked the same joints in the '97 and '98 Playoffs. Hey man, free Nikes are free Nikes at the end of the day and a few more rings kind of takes the attention of the kicks anyways. But um, those black uppers and red soles weren't fooling anyone. Straight Modell's status.

Worn by: Dennis Rodman

Year: 1997

From the All Star 2000s and backtracking a bit to 91, to match Rodman's lineman jersey number. The Cons actually did a great job replicating Dennis' persona (and ink) with the little time they had to get the shoe together. Rodman gave the brand a nice look but that endorsement money probably went right back to Stern and the league after his cheap shot to a cameraman's balls.

Worn by: Michael Jordan, Ron Harper

Year: 1998

Probably the best shoe ever inspired by a golf ball, the Air Jordan XIII also took cues from Michael Jordan's other-other nickname, "Black Cat" (note the "cateye" hologram on the heels, and the cat's paw inspired outsoles). Lighter and more flexible than its predecessor, the Air Jordan XIII was a Zoom-cushioned sprint shoe for the game's most lethal 30-something player in postseason history.

Worn by: Michael Jordan

Year: 1998

It didn't matter if it was the baseline fadeaway or a hand in-the-face defense, nothing beat that red uniform with some black and red Jordans, nothing.

Worn by: Toni Kukoc, Scott Burell

Year: 1998

The Jumpman Pro did pretty well for itself, so Jordan Brand continued to drop team shoes and price them about $25-$40 cheaper than the flagship Air Jordans. In '97-98 you could catch them on a lot of player's feet including MJ's teammates Scott Burrell and Toni Kukoc. Now can we please get a proper black, white, and red retro? Damn.

Worn by: Scottie Pippen, Bill Wennington

Year: 1998

Mike wasn't the only one in the Windy City getting blessed with footwear from Beaverton, Oregon. Scottie was known for having his own heat throughout Chicago's title runs but it was his second signature kick that stood out the most. The Aaron Cooper designed Pippen IIs featured a well-constructed tumbled leather upper, a custom '50s Mercury inspired side stripe (which also provided support), Zoom Air cushioning, and a sleek cut perfect for the court or with jeans. Bill Wennington, though? He must have swiped a pair from Pip's locker.

Worn by: Dennis Rodman

Year: 1998

You didn't have to want to dye your hair a dozen different colors to appreciate the All Star '91s but the higher-cut AS DRod's took a little more of an appreciation to wear on (or off) the court. As for that crowned 7, that was PE only and represented rebounding titles. Get off me, Mailman.

Worn by: Luc Longley

Year: 1998

In 1998 the Air Max Battle Force was a must-have for any center with Nike ties, so Luc Longley figured he would play the part. Longley was never the most intimidating player in the lane but we do have to give dude props for his dope mix of sneakers while holding it down for the Bulls — Jordans and Air Maxes, name another big man with as much flavor.

Worn by: Michael Jordan

Year: 1998

When Mike was inducted into the Hall, it was the highlight that we all remembered clearly: Jordan came at Bryon Russell, stopped on a dime (maybe pushed off, just a little) in his Jordan XIVs, crossed over, and pulled back. MJ elevated and drained a jumper, securing his sixth ring and another immortal highlight. Sneaker nicknames are whatever, but we give our blessing to continue with the "Last Shot" moniker.