Winter Auction 2015 closing February 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2015
There are a couple of ultimate game used collectibles out there that mark the beginning of a new era. Such as Babe Ruth's 1927 road jersey, or Joe Namath's '69 Super Bowl helmet - and this one offered here. This jersey marks the beginning of modern day basketball, from the 90-91 season that made Michael Jordan, MICHAEL JORDAN. The kid from North Carolina had emerged after 5 seasons with the Bulls as one of the stand-out stars of the time. His gravity defying style of play had earned him the Rookie of the Year Award, the '88 MVP Award and even a Gold Olympic Medal; yet one thing eluded number 23 and the Bulls - the NBA Championship. Every season, despite Jordan's heroics, the Bulls rolled into the playoffs only to be foiled each time. By 1990 Chicago had assembled a team led by Phil Jackson that became the perfect platform for Jordan to explode into greatness. Averaging 31.5 points per game, number 23 stunned NBA fans and was the obvious choice for league MVP as the Bulls advanced again to the post season. While the Bulls had come this far many a time, this time Jordan and the reorganized Bulls destroyed the Knicks and Sixers in the first two rounds. Meeting the arch-rival Detroit Pistons, Jordan humiliated the team leading Isaiah Thomas to take his team off the court before the game even ended and retreat into the locker room without shaking hands with their victors. For the first time in franchise history, The Bulls were in the finals and Jordan made the most of it. He earned his nickname Air Jordan during a dunk in game 2 when avoiding a potential block he switched the ball from his right to left hand IN MID-AIR to successfully score. Millions of viewers world-wide watched in disbelief as the legend of MICHAEL JORDAN was born. This outstanding home, white Bulls uniform set was there on the court that penultimate season when the game of basketball was changed forever.
The white mesh jersey has "BULLS" and Jordan's immortal number "23" in red and black appliqué. The NBA logo is on the left chest and the left front tail has the Champion size 46 tagging. The collar and arm openings have the red, white and black striped ribbing. The back features "JORDAN" and that famous number "23" in black and red appliqué. The jersey shows light game use with a few scuffs and marks visible. The mesh shorts have the Champion size 36 tagging in the waist band and Jordan's number "23" has been hand written on the label in faded black marker. The internal drawstring is still present in the red, white and black ribbed waist band. Each side of the shorts has the Bull mascot in black and red appliqué and red, black and white striping. The shorts show good game use with several scuffs and stains throughout and the mesh material has yellowed slightly with age. None of these issues distracts on bit from the display quality of these pieces or the sheer historical value of them. You simply cannot get a more desirable or historically significant game used Michael Jordan set than this. MEARS has thoroughly examined this unbelievable uniform set and bestowed upon it their highest grade of A10.