June 14, 1998. Delta Center. Utah. If you close your eyes, you can still see it. The crossover. The slight—very slight—shove on Bryon Russell’s hip. The follow-through that stayed in the air just a second too long. And, of course, the shoes. The Jordan 14 Last Shot OG wasn't just a sneaker that night; it was a Ferrari-inspired exclamation point on the greatest career in basketball history.
Most people think Michael Jordan wore the 14s for the whole 1998 playoffs. They're wrong. He was actually rocking the 13s for most of that championship run. But Tinker Hatfield, the mad scientist behind the brand, gave MJ a prototype of the 14 early. Jordan liked them so much he decided to debut them during the Finals. It was a gutsy move. Wearing an unreleased, unproven shoe on the biggest stage in the world is the kind of confidence only a guy with five rings (at the time) could pull off.
The "Last Shot" moniker wasn't marketing fluff dreamed up in a boardroom years later. It was earned in real-time. When that jumper splashed through the net with 5.2 seconds left on the clock, securing a 87-86 victory and a sixth title, the black and red sneakers became immortal.
The Ferrari Connection and Design DNA
Tinker Hatfield is famous for pulling inspiration from weird places, but the Jordan 14 Last Shot OG is perhaps his most literal translation of an object into a shoe. Michael loved his Ferrari 550 Maranello. You can see it everywhere if you look close enough. The Jumpman logo on the ankle is encased in a yellow shield, mimicking the Ferrari "Prancing Horse" crest. The cooling vents on the side? Those are straight off a radiator.
Even the heel has that distinct tire-tread pattern. It’s a low-slung, aerodynamic beast of a shoe. Unlike the bulky 12s or the dimpled 13s, the 14 felt fast. It felt like a sports car. This wasn't just about aesthetics, though. The tech was legitimate for the late 90s. We’re talking dual Zoom Air units and a breathable mesh vent on the outsole.
Honestly, the OG pair from '98 had a specific feel that the retros haven't quite nailed. There’s a certain stiffness to the leather and a density to the foam that felt "pro-grade." It wasn't trying to be a lifestyle shoe. It was built to help a 35-year-old man carry an entire franchise on his back for 40-plus minutes a night.
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Why the OG Construction Still Matters
If you’re a purist, the 1998 original is the only version that truly captures the "Last Shot" vibe. Later retros in 2005, 2011, and 2018 were fine—don't get me wrong—but they changed things. The materials shifted. The shape got a little chunkier.
The original Jordan 14 Last Shot OG featured a mix of tumbled leather and buttery suede. It was sleek. If you look at high-resolution photos of the pair Jordan actually wore in Game 6, the way the light hits the leather is different than the synthetic stuff we see on shelves today.
- The Shield Logo: On the OG, the yellow is a specific, sharp shade.
- The Phylon Midsole: It was lightweight but provided a low-to-the-ground court feel that players today still crave.
- The Carbon Fiber: The shank plate in the middle of the sole wasn't just for show; it provided the torsional rigidity Jordan needed for those hard cuts and that iconic final pull-up.
People forget that the 14 was actually the first Jordan model to feature metal aglets (those little tips on the laces). It was a premium touch that signaled the brand was moving into a more "luxury performance" space. It was the end of an era and the start of a new one simultaneously.
The Bryon Russell Factor
You can't talk about this shoe without talking about Bryon Russell. Poor Bryon. He was a great defender, but he's forever a footnote in the story of the Jordan 14 Last Shot OG.
There has been a decades-long debate: Did MJ push off?
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If you watch the tape—I mean really watch it—Jordan’s hand definitely makes contact with Russell’s hip. But was it a foul? In the final seconds of a Finals game in the 90s? Not a chance. Jordan used Russell’s momentum against him. He stopped on a dime, and the traction of the 14s held firm while Russell’s sneakers surrendered to physics. That screeching halt is why the "Last Shot" happened. If Jordan slips there, the Jazz probably win Game 6, and who knows what happens in a Game 7.
The shoe's traction pattern is a heavy-duty herringbone. It’s loud, it’s squeaky, and it grips like a claw. That specific performance feature is what allowed Jordan to create those two feet of separation. Two feet was all he needed.
Collectibility and the "Game Worn" Holy Grail
Finding a pair of Jordan 14 Last Shot OG sneakers from 1998 in wearable condition today is basically impossible. The midsoles are made of polyurethane. Over time, that stuff undergoes hydrolysis—basically, the moisture in the air breaks down the chemical bonds and the sole turns into literal dust.
If you find an OG pair on eBay, they’re for display only. Don't try to walk in them. You'll end up with black crumbs all over your floor.
The real treasure, though, is the pair MJ actually wore. In 2023, a pair of Jordan's Game 2 sneakers from the '98 Finals sold for $2.2 million. While those weren't the 14s, it sets the stage for the value of the Last Shot 14s. They are arguably the most significant shoes in the history of the sport. They represent the "Last Dance." They represent the pinnacle.
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Common Misconceptions About the 14s
One thing that drives sneakerheads crazy is when people call every black and red Jordan 14 a "Last Shot."
Technically, the "Last Shot" refers specifically to the Black/Varsity Red-Black colorway with the yellow shield. There have been "Indiglo" versions, "Oxidized Green" versions, and even "Ferrari" Red versions. But the Last Shot is the one with the black leather and suede combo.
Another myth: Jordan only wore them for that one shot.
Truth: He actually wore them for the entire second half of Game 5 and all of Game 6. He was testing them out, feeling the air, getting comfortable. By the time the fourth quarter of Game 6 rolled around, the shoes were broken in and ready for history.
How to Handle a Pair Today
If you're looking to buy a pair of Jordan 14 Last Shot OG (or even the 2018 retro), you need to know about the fit. They run a bit narrow. Because of that Ferrari-inspired toe box, they can pinch your pinky toe if you aren't careful. Most collectors suggest going up half a size if you actually plan on wearing them.
And watch out for the "toe drag." The suede on the front is a magnet for scuffs. If you’re rocking these, you aren't just wearing shoes; you're wearing a piece of 1998. Treat them accordingly.
Actionable Insights for Collectors:
- Check the Midsole: If buying an OG 1998 pair, press the foam gently. If it feels like a dried-out sponge, it's about to crumble. These are "display only" pieces.
- Verify the Shield: On many fakes, the Jumpman inside the yellow shield is off-center or the yellow is too neon. The OG yellow is a muted, "taxicab" amber.
- Heel Alignment: Look at the "23" on the heel. It should be perfectly centered within the tire-tread rubber. Any slant is a red flag for a replica.
- Preservation: If you own a wearable retro, keep them in a cool, dry place. Avoid plastic boxes without ventilation, as they can actually accelerate the breakdown of the glue in humid climates.
- Market Timing: Prices for the Last Shot usually spike whenever a new Bulls documentary or anniversary of the '98 Finals hits. If you're looking to sell, wait for those windows. If you're looking to buy, the "off-season" of basketball hype is usually your best bet.
The Jordan 14 Last Shot OG stands as a monument. It’s the final silhouette of the Chicago era. Every time you see that black profile and that yellow shield, you aren't just looking at a sneaker. You’re looking at the moment the greatest to ever do it walked off into the sunset. Barely a push-off. Perfectly executed. History in leather and rubber.