THE FREE THROW LINE DUNK
THIS DAY IN SNKRS
Behind every Air Jordan shoe and colorway is at least one story inspired by Michael Jordan and his unprecedented greatness on the court. The “White Cement” Air Jordan III is no exception.
Jordan first wore the shoe at the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest in Chicago. Having won the year prior, he wanted to defend his title, this time in his hometown. He needed a steep 49 points to win.
Starting at the middle of the back court, Jordan took off from the free throw line and earned a perfect 50 points, winning the contest. The iconic image of him suspended mid-air, with the ball effortlessly perched on his right hand, adorns bedroom walls of aspiring players to this day.
Paying tribute to the 30th anniversary of this historic moment, and the shoe’s debut, Jordan Brand is releasing the Air Jordan III “Dunk Contest.” The remastered model has the clear outsole of the original with a red stripe, in the exact width of an NBA free throw line, on the left sole of the shoe — a nod to the foot Jordan landed on before jumping to dunk.
Also nodding to the original is the fully painted Nike Air logo on the back of the shoe. Michael’s winning total, 147, is also printed on the left sockliner and upside down behind both tongues.
AIR JORDAN III
FREE THROW LINE
