All About the Air Jordan 14 Retro Doernbecher 2019
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 DB Doernbecher 2019
The 2019 release of the Air Jordan Retro DB Doernbecher 2019 is very special because it reflects a design by Ethan Ellis, a patient at the Doernbecher Children's Hospital. The design came out of the Doernbecher Freestyle program, a collaboration in which hospital patients design Air Jordans later auctioned to benefit the hospital. The mostly black nubuck suede upper comes alive with laces and tongue tabs in a two-tone color scheme and iridescent panels of metallic blue. The translucent rubber outsole showcases a design resembling details of a heart rhythm pattern. A space needle graphic distinguishes the left shoe, and the numeral '6' on the right shoe indicates Ellis' number of heart surgeries. The entire shoe pays homage to the TCU Horned Frogs, Ellis' favorite team.
