It’s May 7, 1989. Richfield Coliseum. The air in Cleveland is thick, mostly because the home crowd actually believes they’ve finally got the Bulls’ number. Michael Jordan is standing at the top of the key, breathing heavy, staring down Craig Ehlo. On his feet? A pair of black, red, and grey sneakers that would eventually become more famous than the game itself.
Most people call them "Breds." Back then, they were just the latest tool for a man who was busy rewriting the physics of basketball. Michael Jordan wearing Jordan 4 sneakers wasn't just a fashion choice; it was the birth of the modern sneakerhead era.
The Air Jordan 4 was a weird shoe when it first dropped. People weren't sure what to make of the plastic "wings" or the mesh on the sides. But when Jordan hit "The Shot" over Ehlo—hanging in the air for what felt like ten minutes while Cleveland fans' hearts collectively shattered—the shoes became legend.
Why 1989 Was the Year Everything Changed
Before 1989, basketball shoes were mostly just leather clunkers. The Jordan 3 had broken that mold with the elephant print, sure, but the 4 was different. It felt industrial. It felt technical. Tinker Hatfield, the mad scientist behind the design, wanted something that could handle Jordan’s increasingly violent playstyle.
Jordan was moving differently this season. Head coach Doug Collins had recently moved him to point guard for a stretch, and the results were terrifying. We’re talking about a run of seven straight triple-doubles. Honestly, the stats are still hard to believe: 32.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game for the season.
You’ve got to realize that the Jordan 4 was the first time Nike went global with the brand. It wasn't just a Chicago thing or a U.S. thing anymore. The world was watching MJ, and they were staring at his feet.
The Four Original Colorways
When the shoe launched, there were only four ways to get it. Michael didn't even wear all of them on the court.
- White Cement: This was the "clean" pair. MJ laced these up for a good chunk of the regular season. If you've seen Do The Right Thing, these are the ones Buggin' Out gets all stressed about when a Larry Bird fan scuffs them.
- Black Cement (Bred): The playoff shoe. The "Shot" shoe. These are the ones that define the 1989 postseason.
- Fire Red: The "Home" colorway. Jordan wore these during the later 1989-90 season starts, too. They had that aggressive pop of red that matched the Bulls jerseys perfectly.
- Military Blue: Interestingly, Jordan never actually wore these in an NBA game. It’s one of those weird trivia facts that drives collectors crazy.
The Tech That Kept MJ Flying
The Jordan 4 wasn't just about looks. If you look closely at photos of Michael Jordan wearing Jordan 4 sneakers during the 1989 playoffs, you’ll notice the shoes look beat up. He put them through hell.
Tinker Hatfield introduced "over-molded" mesh to the side panels. Why? Breathability. Jordan’s feet were getting too hot in all-leather shoes. He also added those triangular plastic wings. These allowed Michael (and anyone else) to customize their lacing. You could pull them tight for a lockdown feel or leave them loose if you were just vibing.
Then there’s the "Durabuck." The black pair didn't use standard leather; it used a synthetic nubuck that was lighter and more durable. It gave the shoe a matte finish that looked incredible under the arena lights. It looked like a stealth fighter jet for the floor.
How it Felt on Court
Compared to the Jordan 3, the 4 felt a bit more "caged in." The 3 was elegant and plush. The 4 was a performance beast. It had a visible Air unit in the heel—a Hatfield staple—and a smaller, encapsulated Air unit in the forefoot.
Jordan needed that. He was 26 years old, at his physical peak, and jumping higher than almost anyone in the history of the league. He needed a landing pad.
Beyond the Box Score: The Cultural Boom
You can't talk about Michael Jordan wearing Jordan 4s without talking about Spike Lee. The "Mars Blackmon" commercials were everywhere. "Can anybody tell me, please, is it the shoes? Is it the shoes? Is it the shoes?"
It was a marketing masterclass. For the first time, a basketball shoe wasn't just for basketball. It was for the movies. It was for the streets of Brooklyn. It was a status symbol. If you had the 4s, you were part of the "Flight" club.
The Mystery of the Upside-Down Tag
One of the coolest details on the 4 is the "Air Jordan" tag on the inside of the tongue. It’s sewn in upside down. Most people think it’s a factory error the first time they see it.
Actually, it’s intentional. The idea was that players could flip the tongue down over the laces, and the "Air Jordan" text would then be right-side up for everyone to see. It’s a tiny, nerdy detail that proves how much thought went into the "visual language" of the brand.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 4
A common misconception is that the Jordan 4 was an instant, unanimous hit. In reality, some critics thought it was too busy. They liked the simplicity of the 1 or the luxury of the 3. The 4 felt a bit "plastic-y" to the old guard.
But winning fixes everything. When Jordan averaged nearly 35 points a game in the playoffs while wearing them, the critics went quiet.
Another thing: people often forget how much MJ actually played in the "Fire Red" version. While the "Bred" gets all the glory because of the Cleveland series, the Fire Red saw plenty of action in the following season before the Jordan 5 took over.
How to Appreciate the Legacy Today
If you’re looking to get into the history of the Jordan 4, don't just look at the shiny retros in the mall. Look at the grainy 1989 footage. Watch how the shoe moves when Jordan does that iconic double-clutch layup.
Next Steps for the Savvy Collector:
- Check the Heel: If you’re buying a retro, look for the "Nike Air" logo. The Jumpman logo on the heel was a later addition, but the "Nike Air" is what Michael actually wore.
- Study the Shape: Original 1989 pairs had a flatter, more aggressive toe box. Modern "Reimagined" versions are starting to move back to this OG shape, which is great for the purists.
- Don't Fear the Wear: These shoes were built to be played in. While they’re expensive now, the Jordan 4 was designed as a high-performance tool.
The image of Michael Jordan wearing Jordan 4 sneakers, fist-pumping after sinking Cleveland, is burned into the collective memory of sports fans. It’s the moment the Jordan brand stopped being just about a player and started being about a legend.
The shoe is heavy, it’s chunky, and it’s loud. And that’s exactly why we still love it nearly 40 years later.