This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/12/2013.
The first quarter ended in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals with the Utah Jazz up on the Chicago Bulls 29-16. Chicago Bulls’ fans worst thoughts were coming into fruition—Michael Jordan was too sick to perform at the level everyone was used to seeing. Jordan was said to have woken up in the middle of the night before Game 5; aching, sweating and shivering from the flu, or food poisoning, or bad room service, or whatever theory the next person claims. As he labored up and down the court, Jordan came to life and scored 17 points in the second quarter and went into the half down only four. Early in the fourth quarter, the Jazz went up 77-69 when Jordan kicked it into his final gear, sparking a 10-0 run to put the Bulls up 2 with five minutes to play. Jordan had 33 of the Bulls’ 79 points. With the score tied at 85 with 46 seconds left, Jordan finds himself alone at the top of the key, where he buried a three-pointer with 26 seconds remaining. The Bulls went on to win, with Jordan collapsing into Scottie Pippen’s arms. After Jordan’s 38-point, seven rebound, five assists performance, Pippen said "He's the greatest, and everyone saw why tonight." The Chicago Bulls went on to win the 1997 NBA championship and Jordan earned NBA Finals MVP. The consignor of these sneakers was the Utah Jazz ball boy from 1996-2000. Early during the ‘96-’97 season in the Bulls visitor locker room, MJ looked up at trainer Chip Schaefer and asked where his graham crackers and applesauce were; Schaeffer was only able to fetch the crackers. Upon hearing this, Jordan turned to our consignor and said, "No autographs for ball boys after the game if I don't get my applesauce." After fulfilling Jordan’s wish, Jordan was grateful for his effort. When the NBA Finals came around, our consignor prepared graham crackers and applesauce to be sitting in Jordan’s locker. Upon arriving, Jordan saw the items and said, "You remembered? That's my guy right there.” After doing Jordan another favor before Game 5, our consignor asked Jordan for his shoes. After the game, as he stood waiting in the locker room, the Bulls equipment manager John Ligmanowski stepped in to get MJ's shoes. "No, leave em," MJ said. "Those are his," pointing at him. Jordan handed our consignor the sneakers with his socks inside and have remained that way until now. Jordan proceeded to sign the shoes and photos were taken during the process. Pair of black Air Jordan XII size 13 sneakers. Each foot has “JUMPMAN” engraved in red. The back of each shoe has player number “23” in black rubber. Above on the rear ankle is the “Jordan” brand “Jumpman” logo. On the tongue of each shoe is a “Jumpman” logo embroidered in red stitching, with “TWO 3” along the tongue. Each shoe is signed by Jordan in black marker rating an 8. These sneakers are accompanied by an LOA from JSA, along with an LOA from the Utah Jazz ball boy to whom Jordan gave the sneakers to after the game. Further accompanied by photos of Jordan signing the sneakers and handing them off to our consignor. A true piece of basketball history.