The Jordan brand became official as a Nike subsidiary with the release of the Air Jordan 12. The predominantly leather sneaker returned to the Jordan 2’s faux-lizard skin for its mudguard and incorporated a design inspired by the Japanese flag’s rising sun. Michael Jordan won his fifth title with the Bulls in the 12, which made the black/red colorway legendary for his performance in game 5 of the NBA finals, often referenced as the “The Flu Game.”
