Jumpman: Iconic Shots of Mike in His 18 Different Jordans

Year : 1986

Complex Says: People forget that Jordan was the original Allen Iverson. The league didn’t care for his baggy shorts and gold chains and it was even rumored that his East squad tried “freezing” him out of touches in his first all-star game. Nonetheless, MJ started a legacy with his first signature shoes and high-flying antics although he didn’t take the crown in his first dunk contest.

Year : 1987

Complex Says: We know there is a bit of an angle but it’s not far-fetched that Mike’s head is even with the rim. Jordan hit up All-Star weekend in his Jordan IIs and took home his first trophy for the dunk contest after tearing down the house in Seattle.

Year : 1988

Complex Says: Everyone had this poster up in their room — it may even be the first and only piece of framed art you have even truly enjoyed. Chicago was host to the '88 All-Star weekend, and Michael dueled it out with Dominique Wilkins for the dunk contest crown. After some classic jams, His Airness won the title again with his dunk from the free-throw line.

Year : 1989

Complex Says: When you Google “The Shot,” typically the first image you will come across is this. In the fifth and final game of the first round (they only played five back then kids) Jordan hit the game winner on the road over Craig Ehlo, finishing with 44 points and one of his most memorable clutch shots. To make matters worse, if you watch the video it looks like MJ kicks Ehlo and knocks him down during his celebration.

Year : 1990

Complex Says: You’re seeing this right, and no, the picture wasn’t Photoshopped. On a road trip down in Orlando an overzealous fan snuck into the Bulls locker room and someone made off with Jordan’s No. 23 jersey forcing him to rock a nameless No. 12 for one game.

Year : 1991

Complex Says: In 1991 the Magic versus Jordan hype might have been just as crazy as the LeBron versus Kobe hype even without the millions of bloggers. Jordan finally led the Bulls past the Bad Boys of Auburn Hills for a matchup against the Lakers in the NBA Finals, and MJ took them down in five in a series where it became clear he was the King of the League.

Year : 1992

Complex Says: After wrapping up back-to-back NBA titles with a decisive win over the Blazers and the greatest shrug pre-Kanye, Michael was the face of the USA “Dream Team” consisting of a who’s-who of future NBA Hall of Famers (and Christian Laettner) in Barcelona. The squad murked international competition by an average of almost 44 points in route to bringing home the gold.

Year : 1993

Complex Says: The Jordan VIIIs on Jordan’s feet made the Bulls first three-peat complete. Just the third team in NBA history to do so, the Bulls routed the Suns in six games and Jordan claimed the Finals MVP (his third straight) after Sir Charles took the regular-season honors.

Year : 1994

Complex Says: Shortly after Jordan’s father was tragically slain, and exhausted from the long season and his celebrity status, Mike left the game. He then surprised the world by signing a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox and had a brief career with the Birmingham Barons, a White Sox affiliate. Jordan never donned the IXs on the court but Nike did hook him up with some player editions for the diamond.

Year : 1995

Complex Says: “I’m back” was the headline on almost every national publication after Michael Jordan returned to the league wearing the 4-5 on March 18, 1995. Jordan played impressive even after being off a year and a half (ask the Knicks about that double-nickel), but the Bulls fell short to the Shaq and Penny led Orlando Magic in the Conference semis.

Year : 1996

Complex Says: 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 Mike’s most popular sneakers, the Jordan XI, which is still to date one of the most recognizable basketball shoes of all-time and helped Jordan win his fourth ring.

Year : 1997

Complex Says: 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 shitting on his opponents when rumored to be shitting his own drawers? The XIIs will always be symbolic of the amazing series and Jordan’s fifth NBA title.

Year : 1997

Complex Says: The Jordan XIII were designed to commemorate Jordan’s nickname “Black Cat” — for his fast reflexes, speed, and outrageous athletic ability, including his fadeaways and hanging jumpers on the baseline. The shoe was also there as Jordan and the Bulls beat the Pacers en route to their sixth ring.

Year : 1998

Complex Says: Earlier we witnessed “The Shot” and in the '98 NBA Finals MJ hit us with “The Last Shot.” In Game Six at Utah, Jordan crossed Byron Russell to his knees, pulled back and nailed a game-winning 20-foot jumper with 5.2 seconds left, giving the Bulls their second three-peat and Mike’s sixth ring in what ended up being his last shot in a Bulls uniform.

Year : 1999

Complex Says: Damn, he won six rings, can’t a dude get some golf in? As you know Jordan took another break from the game and we never saw him rock the Jordan XVs on the court.

Year : 2001

Complex Says: After a short stint as part owner and President of Basketball Operations of the Washington Wizards — and crushing Kwame Brown’s confidence — Jordan got the itch to play again, donating his salary to relief efforts for the victims of 9/11. The season didn’t go as planned with Jordan hampered by injuries — he had a subpar season only scoring 23 points a game (subpar for Jordan) and spent a chunk of his season on the bench. But he was still Jordan.

Year : 2002

Complex Says: The Jordan XVII were part of Jordan’s first season with the Wizards cut short by injury. The shoe was also the first pair to retail at $200 and the first released to match the Wizards uniforms.

Year : 2003

Complex Says: In '03 Jordan returned to the form we were used to, relying more on smart baseline moves and body control versus flying over everyone like he did in the '80s and '90s. Mike was also elected to the 2003 All-Star squad and drained his signature fall-away jumper over Shawn Marion in the corner for what appeared to be the game winner and a capper for his illustrious career highlight film. Unfortunately, Jermaine O’Neal fouled Kobe shooting a three with a couple seconds left and the West stole the victory in overtime. The Wizards failed to make the playoffs and Jordan ended his NBA career for good (we think)on April 16, 2003 in Philadelphia.