Camiseta da Temporada de Rookie de Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, NBA, Estados Unidos
Fotografia
Michael Jordan's 1984 Rookie Year Pre-Season Chicago Bulls Jersey:
This jersey is a remarkable artifact from the nascency of Michael Jordan’s career in the NBA. On October 5, 1984, the Bulls' first pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, Michael Jordan, would make his debut for the team at a weary Peoria Civic Center Stadium in Illinois. The attendance was 2,000 people, and most seats in the stadium were empty. He was not the first pick of the draft, but the third, and no-one could have predicted who Michael Jordan was to become in the NBA.
When basketball lovers think about rookie Michael Jordan, the image that often comes to mind is a tongue-out, cradle-dunking, Air-Jordan wearing, phenomenon with once-in-a-lifetime genius, crackling with creative talent for the sport.
That person existed from the minute he walked out onto an NBA court. Prior to the Jordan’s first ever game, in a rarely seen interview, Kevin Loughery, the Bulls head coach for the 1984-1985 season commented “[Jordan is a] little bit more talented than I expected… he’s quicker than I anticipated, and he’s a better shooter than I anticipated.”
In an interview that aired about a month later in November of 1984 on NBC, Jordan appeared shy, timid, and incredibly kindhearted – perhaps even unaware of his talent at the time. In the interview, Jordan said, “It’s really fun to me. I enjoy playing basketball at this point. A lot of people consider it a job, but I go out and have fun... I’m not trying to be an entertainer. I’m trying to play naturally.”
The reporter later asked Jordan, “Who’s the best player you ever played against?”
Jordan replied, “It would have to be Walter Davis.”
The interviewer prodded again, “Of all the players you saw, where does Michael Jordan rank on the list?”
Jordan, wearing a grey pinstripe suit and tie, and smiling ear-to-ear replied, “He’s still working his way up from the bottom.”
This jersey represents the only photomatched game worn jersey from Michael’s rookie season to ever surface at auction. It has been photomatched by MeiGray and Sports Investors Authenticated. The signature is accompanied by a letter from James Spence Authentication.
The jersey has been photo-matched by SIA to October 7, 1984 (Jordan's 2nd NBA game) and by MeiGray to October 13, 1984 (Jordan's 4th NBA game). MeiGray, working in close association with a forensic analysis firm called Proven Data, examined video footage from October 5, 1984 (Jordan's 1st NBA game) and have stated in their letter, "MeiGray believes that this is the first jersey Michael Jordan ever wore while playing in the NBA."
A One-Of-A-Kind Object:
In the late 1970s and early 1980s the Chicago Bulls were on a shoestring budget. Owned by the Wirtz family (the owners of the Blackhawks) – the team was tight with cash, and was far from the organization that took over international sports interest during their two 1990s Championship Three-Peats.
That might explain why Michael Jordan – who would later become the face of the National Basketball Association – was not given his own jersey.
One of the most exceptional elements of this artifact – and the way it was able to be so extensively authenticated – is the fact that it was clearly repurposed from at least one, or multiple previous players. Underneath both the name “Jordan” as well as “23” one can see dark stains where – it appears – multiple previous player’s names and numbers were previously located.
The jersey itself is stylistically slightly different from the jersey worn by Jordan during the regular season, featuring a different font of numbers on the front and reverse of the jersey. Jordan switched jerseys for his regular season debut, and for the remainder of the 1984-1985 regular season.
Michael Jordan & The Genesis of the Air Jordan Brand:
The Nike Air Ship is a key part of the design legacy of the original Air Jordan.
In 1984, Nike gave Michael Jordan his own signature line of shoes and clothes, which was pivotal in Michael agreeing to sign with Nike. It was the first time the brand did anything like this, and it paved the way for many of the player collaborations we now see. The term “Air Jordan” was coined by Michael Jordan’s agent David Falk. David apparently came up with the name because Nike shoes had air in the soles and because, of course, Michael Jordan played basketball in the air.
When Michael joined the NBA, the Air Jordan 1 was still not ready for him. He preferred sneakers that were lower to the ground, where he could feel the court beneath his feet. In the process of creating the Air Jordan 1, Nike supplied Jordan a limited number of Nike Air Ships.
Michael’s Black & Red Air Ships became controversial after the NBA sent Nike a letter referencing a game on October 18, 1984 (NBA Preseason) informing the company that Jordan’s colorful shoes were a violation of the league’s uniformity of uniform clause. Nike responded by creating an infamous ad campaign around Jordan’s ‘banned’ shoes (advertising the first Air Jordans) remarking that while “the NBA threw them out of the game, fortunately, the NBA can’t stop you from wearing them.”
In 2025, Nike launched an entire ‘banned’ campaign for the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan line.
Jordan was wearing this jersey while famously wearing his ‘banned’ black and red Air Ships at the beginning of his career.
Michael Jordan's rookie season was a defining moment in basketball history, setting the stage for his legendary career. Drafted third overall by the Chicago Bulls, Jordan made an immediate impact, averaging 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. His electrifying playstyle, characterized by acrobatic dunks, clutch performances, and relentless competitiveness, captivated fans and rejuvenated a struggling Bulls franchise. Jordan's dominance earned him the NBA Rookie of the Year award and an All-Star selection, despite early resistance from established veterans. More than just an impressive debut, his rookie season signaled the arrival of a transcendent talent who would go on to redefine the sport, elevate the global popularity of the NBA, and become one of the greatest athletes of all time. Texto da Sotheby's.
Nota do blog 1: Brand Rawlings, Mesh Jersey, Size 44.
Nota do blog 2: Data 2025 / Crédito para Sotheby's.
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