The Air Jordan 14 Retro Candy Cane Release of 2006
The Jordan 14s possess an outsized presence in the history of trainers 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 colourway 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” colourway 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 trainer designer Tinker Hatfield - this time with the help of designer Mark Smith.
The Jordan brand created a Retro release of the popular Candy Cane colourway in 2006 and debuted it on the Air Jordan 14 silhouette. Inspired by the Chicago Bulls, the sneaker features a Varsity Red, white, and black colourway. The white upper was designed to convey as sports car-like appearance, featuring a Jordan Jumpman crest on the lateral ankle and a strip of White down the heel that is designed to look like tire tread. A black tone coats the tongue tab, the bottom arch, the heel's Jordan Jumpman logo, and the number 23 that sits below it. Varsity Red is introduced on the heel tab, the tongue top, and the midsole. A final white Jumpman is stamped into the bottom arch.
