The Jordan VI Carmine releases in its true original form on Feb. 13 for the first time since 1991. Here are 6 things you need to know about Michael Jordan’s iconic sneaker.
Thirty years ago, Michael Jordan sported the Jordan 6 on a basketball court for the first time. There were five different colorways of the shoe, two Infrared versions in white and black and three alternate versions — Air Jordan VI “Maroons,” Air Jordan VI “Sport Blue” and Air Jordan VI “Carmine.”
The shoe has a few distinct features: it’s the last Jordan shoe to have Nike branding on the shoe — Jordan wanted to separate itself from Nike — and it’s one of the last to have an air window on the back heel.
Now, an updated version Carmine’s will be released on February 13th. These Carmine’s will be the first with “Nike Air” on the back since the originals in 1991 — the others have had the Jumpman symbol on the back.
Jordan had quite the season his first year wearing the 6s in 1991 — he was an All-Star, took home a scoring title, made the All-NBA first team and All-Defensive first team and won an MVP award.
In addition to his individual accomplishments, the Bulls put together their best season to that point in Jordan’s career and found themselves in the NBA Finals against Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. Jordan wore the shoes when he pulled off his iconic up-and-under move in Game 2. He wore them as he celebrated with his teammates in the Great Western Forum in Game 5.
But Jordan didn’t debut the Carmine’s, the first Jordan 6 with colored panels on the shoe’s upper, until the beginning of the next season. Jordan has had some memorable moments wearing the shoes, so here are a few things to know about the original colorways of one of an iconic shoe.
1. The Carmine’s were last retroed in 2014, which was 23 years after the original release.
Since its inception in 1991, the Jordan VI has been made in 39 different versions. The shoes were made into low-tops in 2002. The last time a new version of the shoe was released was back in 2015.
In 2014, 10 versions of the Jordan 6 sneakers came out, including the Carmine’s. A retro version of the Carmine’s came out that year — the 23-year anniversary of the first release.
2. The retail value of the shoes is $200.
If you want to wear the best, you have to pay the price. The Jordan 6 Carmine’s are currently valued at $200. The shoes will be available at select stores and on Nike.com, so get to the store early (with a mask, of course) or get up early and click fast on SNKRS app and the website.
Back when the Jordan 6s originally came out in 1991, they were $125. The retro versions of the shoe in 2014 was priced at $175.
3. Jordan wore the Carmine in the Bulls’ first title defense.
He debuted the Carmine’s after he won his first ring in 1991. q He and wore them from the first game until the 1992 All-Star Weekend in Orlando, when he showed off the Jordan 7 Bordeaux.
His first 46 games of that season wearing those shoes were amazing — he averaged 30.8 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists during that stretch. He also played at a high level defensively, averaging 2.8 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.
Even though he didn’t wear the Carmine’s during his first championship, this shoe has had so much success in part because of the intersection with the beginning of Jordan’s championships.
4. Jordan had a memorable dunk in his first game wearing the Carmine.
The Bulls’ first game to open their 1991-1992 title defense came against the Philadelphia Sixers at home. Michael Jordan and company would go on to win by 20 points, but that wasn’t the most memorable part of that game.
As the Bulls pressured the Sixers in the front court, Philadelphia guard Johnny Dawkins mishandled the basketball and it landed in the hands of Jordan. Falling out of bounds, he passed the ball to John Paxson, who threw it back to Jordan.
Jordan took one dribble and soared over 76ers forward Ron Anderson, nearly jumping directly over him. It probably helped that he was wearing the Carmine’s that day.
5. But that wasn’t the only memorable dunk that he had wearing them.
Later on in the season, in a January road game against the Rockets, Jordan made yet another highlight play to put on his reel.
Scottie Pippen was at the free-throw line shooting his second of two free throws later in the fourth quarter. Pippen wasn’t the greatest free throw shooter — he shot 70.4% for a career.
So when the Rockets’ defenders wasn’t looking, Jordan sprinted towards the basket, leapt in the air wearing his Jordan 6 Carmine’s as the ball bounced off the rim and slammed it home with two hands as Otis Thorpe reached for the rebound.
“There it is, Michael was on the runway,” the announcer said. “(He) missed the shot, Michael powered it in.
6. Jordan’s incredible over-the-shoulder shot also featured the Carmine’s.
The very next night, the Carmine’s made another appearance in a highlight reel play against the Dallas Mavericks. Off a missed shot on one end of the court, Jordan grabbed the rebound and sprinted down the court.
He scanned the defense and drove to a crowded paint area with four opposing players. He realized he was in no man’s land as he jumped in the air with the ball in his left hand.. So he switched hands and threw the ball over his shoulder and head and into the basket without looking.
It was one of the more difficult shots Jordan tried in his career, but he somehow made it appear easy and effortless. With a stoic look on his face, Jordan strolled back down the court like it was just another day at the office — it probably was for him.
