The Air Jordan 13 is emblematic of 1998 – a year, as detailed in Netflix’s The Last Dance documentary miniseries, that marked the climax of the golden age of the Chicago Bulls, and the ultimate year Michael Jordan was crowned MVP (most valuable player) of the NBA.
And it's the ‘playoff’ colourway – once termed ‘black/true red – white’, prior to MJ sporting the shoe during the 1998 playoffs – that’s hailed by sneakerheads and seasoned basketball fans as the most significant variation. Rather quietly, Nike re-released the shoe at the weekend to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
Notwithstanding its moniker’s allusion to the 1998 springtime playoffs, the colourway debuted two months prior at February’s NBA All-Star Game, a match which holds its own significance as it saw a 34-year-old Jordan duel a 19-year-old Kobe Bryant at his All-Star debut. To the delight of perceptive collectors, the 2023 iteration – just the second reissue of the shoe, following the 2011 retro – maintains the same design pictured at this passing-of-the-torch moment.
That means a very Nineties circular Jumpman logo at the tongue, a yellow wordmark at the throat, black dimpled leather overlays atop the upper, a comfy midsole reinforced with a carbon fibre plate and Zoom technology and a Chicago red outsole. And, of course, the silhouette’s signature green holographic cat eye jewel, a nod to Michael Jordan’s ‘Black Cat’ sobriquet, is discoverable at the heel.
The Air Jordan 13 ‘Playoffs’ is still available for £189.95 on the Nike SNKRS app in select sizes.
