1993 Michael Jordan Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 Worn Photo-Matched Sneakers

When the Chicago Bulls needed him most, Michael Jordan delivered. The top-seeded New York Knicks entered Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals with a 2-1 series lead, starved for a championship after a two-decade title drought. Making their first conference championship appearance since 1974, the Knicks and their league-leading defense faced the unenviable task of slowing the defending champion Bulls, which they had accomplished through the first three games. Michael Jordan shot only 25-of-77 from the field, and with the Knicks threatening to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, the Bulls’ saw their three-peat hopes fading fast. But as Jordan took the court before a Chicago crowd nearly 19,000 fans strong, he had a different look in his eye. From the opening tip, MJ played with reckless abandon, taking out a series’ worth of frustrations on a Knicks team that had no answer for his dominance. Nailing pull-jumpers with ease and draining three-balls like layups, Jordan had his confidence back and let everyone in Chicago Stadium know it. Yet the only thing louder than the cheers from the crowd was the squeak of MJ’s sneakers as he put the Knicks’ premier defenders on skates. His step-backs stumbled Patrick Ewing, and he skirted the paint-prowling Charles Oakley with the speed of a sprinter. With fierce foot fakes, he shook John Starks out of his shoes, leaving the pestering point guard powerless to stop him. The Knicks attempted to rally again and again, and each time, Jordan toed the three-point line and hit a dagger. As his sneakers touched the charity stripe for a pair of game-icing free throws in the final minute, Jordan sent a message to the entire NBA: the Bulls were not done. Not by a long shot. Finishing with 54 points, six rebounds, and two steals, MJ evened the series 2-2, with this iconic performance shifting momentum in Chicago’s favor for the remainder of the playoffs. Eliminating the Knicks in six games, the Bulls advanced to their third-straight NBA Finals, squaring off against Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns. Fueled by his regular-season MVP snub to Barkley, Jordan averaged a Finals-record 41.0 PPG to put the Suns away in six games, completing the Bulls’ first three-peat in dominant fashion. Without MJ’s 54-point performance against the Knicks, Chicago may not have advanced past the Eastern Conference Finals, which adds to the historical significance of this game-used pair of Nike Air Jordan VIIIs. In addition to Jordan wearing them during that unforgettable game, these sneakers also feature signatures from the basketball icon, with one on each shoe. The winner of this auction will receive LOAs from PSA, Beckett, and Sports Investors Authentication (SIA), as well as an SIA photo match. These documents establish the sneakers’ authenticity and provenance as well as the authenticity of the signatures. The Sports Investors Authentication LOA includes the following information: “Presented is a pair of black Nike Air Jordan VIII shoes issued to and worn by Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan during Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. Jordan has signed the outside of the [sic] each shoe in silver marker. (Sports Investors Authentication has no opinion on the signatures.) Shoes come with letter from Robert Scarpetti, a retired Chicago police detective who was part of Michael Jordan’s personal security detail from his [sic] 1984-1995. In the letter Scarpetti states that he received the shoes directly from Michael Jordan. In addition, Sports Investors Authentication conclusively photo matched this pair of shoes to Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals on May 31, 1993. We used multiple photos from different angles to conclusively photo match the shoes to this game. Jordan played 39 minutes with 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block while scoring 54 points. Air Jordan red logo present on the upper tongue of both shoes. A size 13 manufacturer tag is on the inside tongue of each shoe. Player’s number “23” is embroidered in white and red on the middle of each lace guard. Light wear is evident and was likely worn only for a single game. Scuffs appear on the surface of each shoe. The shoes in review are properly tagged, lettered, are consistent with known exemplars, and exhibit game use. They come with solid provenance and have been photo matched. Therefore, it is the considered opinion of Sports Investors Authentication that the pair of shoes are genuine and were used by Michael Jordan during Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals on May 31, 1993.” The PSA LOA includes the following information: “PSA/DNA Authentication Services has examined this Michael Jordan signed shoe. In our opinion, the aforementioned signature(s) is/are authentic. The signature(s) is/are consistent considering slant, flow, pen pressure, letter size, and other characteristics that are typical of the other exemplars that we have examined in our hobby and professional career. As part of the authentication process, the item has been permanently marked with proprietary invisible ink that contains a patented strand of synthetic DNA, which will fluoresce under a calibrated laser. In addition, a tamper-evident label containing a unique alphanumeric certification number has been placed on the item or on this Letter of Authenticity.” The Beckett LOA includes the following information: “After examination and consideration of multiple factors common to known exemplars of the signature(s), Beckett Authentication Services offers its opinion that the item is authentic. As part of the authentication process, your authentic item has been assigned a unique alphanumeric certification number, which can be found on the tamper-evident label affixed to either the item or on this letter of authenticity.” Michael Jordan never faltered in the biggest moments of his career. Collectors looking to own this historic pair of game-worn sneakers will have to be just as clutch as Jordan to score them in this month’s PWCC Premier Auction, though good luck resisting the urge to lace them up. With these shoes, the winner of this auction might find themselves draining threes and breaking ankles like Mike—just make sure Lil’ Bow Wow does not get to them first. Full Authentication provided by PSA, Beckett, and Sports Investors Authentication with photomatch and LOAs.