You’ve seen the photo. It’s arguably the most famous image in basketball history: a pale, shivering Michael Jordan slumped against Scottie Pippen, looking like he’s about to pass out. Most people focus on the exhaustion. Sneakerheads? We’re looking at his feet. Michael Jordan wearing Jordan 12 during that legendary 1997 run wasn’t just a fashion choice; it was the birth of a cultural icon that, honestly, still moves the needle in 2026.
The Night a Pizza Changed Everything
We have to talk about the "Flu Game." Except, as we found out decades later in The Last Dance, it wasn't the flu. It was five guys delivering a single pizza to Jordan’s hotel room in Utah. Tim Grover, MJ’s trainer, knew something was up the second he saw them. He basically predicted the disaster.
By the time Game 5 of the 1997 Finals rolled around, Jordan was a mess. He was dehydrated and shaky. Yet, he laced up those black and red 12s and dropped 38 points.
Think about that for a second.
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You’ve probably had food poisoning before. Most of us can barely walk to the bathroom, let alone play 44 minutes of professional basketball at the highest level imaginable. The Air Jordan 12 "Flu Game" became the name of that colorway forever. It’s why collectors paid $1.38 million for those actual game-worn shoes at auction recently. They aren't just leather and rubber; they're the physical evidence of sheer will.
Why the Design Was a Weird Risk
Tinker Hatfield is a genius, but let’s be real—the 12 was a weird pivot from the flashy, patent-leather 11s. He looked at 19th-century women's dress boots and the Japanese "Rising Sun" flag for inspiration. That’s a bizarre mood board.
- The Rising Sun: Those stitched lines radiating from the center? That’s the flag.
- The Durability: These things are tanks. While the Jordan 11 felt like a sports car, the 12 felt like an armored truck.
- The Zoom Air: This was the first Jordan to feature full-length Zoom Air. If you’ve ever played in them, you know they feel different. They’re stiffer but incredibly responsive.
Honestly, the 12s were sort of the first "Jordan Brand" shoe. It was the year MJ’s line officially split from Nike to become its own entity. No Swoosh on the outside. Just the Jumpman and the "Two 3" on the tongue. It was a massive branding gamble that clearly paid off.
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The Colorways MJ Actually Wore
People get confused about what Mike actually wore on the court versus what was just released to the public. He didn't wear every single pair of 12s you see on the shelves today.
- The Taxi: This was his home shoe. White leather, black mudguard, and those gold eyelets that looked like taxi lights. He wore these for most of the regular season.
- The Playoffs: These debuted at the 1997 All-Star Game. He wore them when he recorded the first triple-double in All-Star history (14 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists).
- The Flu Game (Bred): The black and red. The Utah heartbreaker.
- The White/Red (Cherry): He rocked these during the regular season too, though they didn't get a "moment" as big as the others.
The 2026 Perspective: Why We’re Still Talking About This
It’s 2026, and the "Flu Game" 12 is scheduled for another retro release. Why does a shoe from nearly 30 years ago still sell out in minutes?
Part of it is the narrative. We live in an era of "load management" where stars sit out because they're a little sore. Seeing Michael Jordan wearing Jordan 12 while he literally couldn't stand up is the ultimate antithesis to that. It represents a different era of the game.
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Also, the 12s are indestructible. If you buy a pair of 12s today, you can actually play in them. Try doing that with a pair of 1997 OG 1s—they’d crumble. The 12s were built for the grind of a 90s NBA season, and that utility carries over.
What Most People Get Wrong
There's a common misconception that the 12 was Jordan's favorite shoe. It wasn't. He’s gone on record saying the 11 is his personal goat. But the 12 is the "workhorse." It’s the shoe he wore while winning his fifth ring. It’s the shoe he wore when the Bulls went 69-13.
While the 11 is the "wedding shoe," the 12 is the "war shoe."
Actionable Insights for Collectors
If you're looking to grab a pair or get into the history, here is the move:
- Check the Year: 2016 was the last "true" Flu Game retro with the correct leather. If you're buying on the secondary market, look for the 2016 or the upcoming 2025/2026 versions. Avoid the 2009 version if you want authenticity—those had weird "sick face" emojis on them that purists hate.
- Sizing is Tricky: Jordan 12s run a bit big because of the leather stretching and the wide base. Most people go half a size down for a 1-to-1 fit.
- Preservation: Because of the metal eyelets, 12s are prone to "oxidation" (rusting) if kept in humid spots. Keep them in a cool, dry place if you're holding them for investment.
- The Carbon Fiber: Genuine 12s have a real carbon fiber shank plate in the arch. If it feels like cheap plastic, it's a fake. Mike needed that support for his arches, and the tech holds up today.
The legacy of Michael Jordan wearing Jordan 12 isn't about the leather or the gold eyelets. It's about the fact that even at his physical worst, he was still better than everyone else's best. That pizza might have taken him down, but the 12s kept him standing just long enough to win.