The Release of the Air Jordan 14 Retro Countdown Pack
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 Countdown Pack 2008
Introduced in 2008, the Air Jordan 14 Retro Countdown Pack celebrated the 2008 release of Air Jordan 23, a reference to Jordan's iconic jersey number. It had a rich-looking suede upper, all in black with white contrast stitching. While a black shank plate replaced the AJ14 Last Shot Varsity Red, the red reappeared on the retro Countdown Pack shoe through Varsity Red Jumpman branding on the heel, heel counter, collar, and outsole. The number 23 in Roman and Arabic numerals adorns the heel counter, tongue, and outsole. Zoom Air brings dynamic cushioning to the OG Tinker Hatfield silhouette.