The Air Jordan 14 Retro Takes its Last Shot in 2005
The Jordan 14s possess an outsized presence in the history of sneaker and basketball culture. When Michael Jordan sank a 20-foot jump shot with 5 seconds left on the clock in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, he clinched the sixth series win in eight years for the Chicago Bulls. It was the last shot of that momentous game, the last shot of the series, and the last shot of his career with the Bulls. It was in every sense the last shot of an era, and Mike made it wearing the Air Jordan 14s in Black/Black-Varsity Red, a colorway that would forever after be known as “Last Shot.”
So important was this moment in the history of both the Jordan line and the history of basketball that Nike has re-released the “Last Shot” colorway more than once – in 2005, 2011, and then again in 2018 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of that incredible basket.
Beyond the history-making moment of MJ’s final career basket, the 14s quickly achieved a wild popularity. Just two months after the 14s’ release, Footaction ranked it in position 82 on their list of the 100 best athletic shoes ever produced.
History of Air Jordan 14
Originally released in 1997 and produced in its original generation through 1999 (and then re-issued as a “Retro” in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2014–2018), the Air Jordan 14 was the last model worn on the court by Jordan himself. Like nearly all of the Air Jordans produced during Michael Jordan’s playing career (except models I and II), the 14s were designed by legendary sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield—this time with the help of designer Mark Smith.
Jordan 14 Retro Last Shot 2005
The Last Shot colorway reappeared in 2005 on the Air Jordan 14 colorway to commemorate Michael Jordan's Game 6 performance from 1998. Black stitched leather side panels transform into a suede toe box at the front, and suede continues on the ankle and heel. Designed with a race car in mind, the lateral Jumpman emblem is stamped into a crest, and a black rubber stripe is featured on the heel to imitate the look of tire tread. Also on the heel, a number 23 and a Jordan Jumpman logo are etched in Varsity Red color. Varsity Red continues onto the bottom arch. The rest of the bottom tread is dipped in a deep black to compliment the shoe's dark design.
