Partially the reason people prefer the black toes is because people think the Black Toes shoulda been the original Chicagos
The Chicagos we know are sometimes considered an after thought because the were made to appease the NBA since b/reds weren't allowed to be worn in game
Thats why the chicagos weren't used in the preseason promos.
Please correct me if I'm wrong people
Originally Posted by
vegetaray123 
Here is what I have saved on my PC...There is a ton more info though that goes more into detail...I think there was a thread someplace in there that covered this topic a few years back but I cant seem to find it...Anyway here is what I've got...
The shoes were apparently banned on October 18, 1984 as stated in this letter from then NBA Executive Vice President Russell Granik to the then Nike VP Rob Strasser...Self explanitory really but notice it doesen't define the model of shoe only saying "red and black NIKE basketball shoes"...
Since MJ's first official game was against the Washington Bullets on October 26, 1984 it's obvious that the shoe ban came down during the preseason...That schedule looked like this...
10/5 Bulls 102, Ind 98 @ Peoria
10/7 Bulls 107, KC 100 @ St. Louis
10/9 Bulls 100, Mil 97 @ E Chcago
10/13 Bucks 99, Bulls 84 @ Milw
10/15 Bulls 91, NY 90 @ Glens Falls
10/18 Bulls 112, NY 93 @ NY
10/19 Kings 103, Bulls 89 @ Chicago
That being said there are only a handful of published photos taken of MJ during his first preseason in the NBA...These are the ones that are most widely circulated...The Indiana Pacers pictures are from his actual first NBA game on October 5, 1984...Notice on his feet are a pair of white / red Air Ship's...Apparently he wore the air ships more through the 1984 85' season as this picture also has him laceed during a game with the Suns...
Now going by that list above we can all assume that since the Bulls played the Knicks on October 18, 1984 then that's where the shoe ban took place correct...Well not really...Video of the game shows him wearing a pair of mostly white sneakers with red around the ankle...Can't 100% say it's the ships but it's looks almost certain...What we can say though is that they were not a pair of "red and black NIKE basketball shoes"...
But hold on...The Bulls also matched up against the Knicks on October, 15 1984 and when you track down a picture of that game...Well see for yourself's...
Clearly not Jordan 1's...Best guesses are the Air Ships which are the leading candidates or the Air Train II's...
From the last page of the
http://niketalk.com/t/236374/official-when-did-mj-wear-those-post-and-faqs/840#post_23110533 thread
