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HSC: 1987-88 Michael Jordan Game Worn Chi Bulls U

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
HSC: 1987-88 Michael Jordan Game Worn Chi Bulls U
<B>1987-88 Michael Jordan Game Worn Uniform.</B></I> The 1987-1988 season was a defining one for Michael Jordan. His first three years in the league saw him ascend to the cusp of N.B.A. royalty, but there were some who still regarded him strictly as an electrifying player who put more stock in the number of points he scored rather than the number of games his team won. Michael changed quite a few minds in 87-88, leading the Bulls to a 50-32 record, and getting them out of Round One of the playoffs for the first time since his arrival in Chicago. His performance in the first round of the playoffs against Cleveland, where he averaged forty-five points per game, is the stuff of which legends are made.<BR><BR> Like a great film at the Oscars, when it came to award time, Jordan swept all categories. First team All-N.B.A. for a second consecutive year, League Most Valuable Player, and Defensive Player of the Year. The All-Star Game was held in front of his hometown Chicago fans that year, and he did not disappoint, walking away with M.V.P. honors and, of course, retaining his title as Slam Dunk Champion, with the famous leap from the free throw line which is the source of one of the most famous basketball images ever. Jordan was wearing his road jersey during the dunk contest, and for all we know, this was the one he had on. It was one of the most remarkable seasons in N.B.A. history, and judging by the use on this complete uniform, Michael worked very hard for the accolades he received that year.<BR><BR> This complete Chicago Bulls road uniform show as much wear as we have ever seen on a modern basketball jersey, clearly having seen hundreds of minutes of floor time during its tenure in Mike's wardrobe. The uniform was so saturated by the sweat of hardwood royalty that some of the white areas of the jersey are stained to a light gray. The supremely memorable number "23" is screened in bold black and white on chest and verso, where the words "Bulls" and "Jordan" are announced respectively. The jersey and shorts are properly tagged with "Sand-Knit 44 Bulls Exclusivity" labels, with the "3" L.B." alteration noted on an embroidered swatch to the left. The matching shorts have similar "Sand-Knit Bulls Exclusivity" labeling, with Jordan's sweat-smeared number "23" in marker on the size "36" tag.<BR><BR> The provenance on the uniform is impeccable, with a letter from then Bulls V.P. of Basketball Operations Billy McKinney to our consignor letting him know his extraordinary request for a Jordan jersey had finally been met, and with the shorts to boot. While Jordan uniforms from his later years with the Bulls are not terribly difficult to obtain, early gamers do not come along very often. The Jordan collector that passes on this jersey may end up feeling like the Trailblazers G.M. who passed on Jordan in the draft. <I>LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/ SCD Authentic.</B></I>