What does it take to secure Michael Jordan’s game-worn shoes? First have the luck of being a ball boy during the NBA Finals and actually be assigned to his ‘Airness.’ Then have enough nerve to ask for them…but only after hunting down a lot applesacue.
Preston Truman is the former Utah Jazz ball boy who had the job of taking care of Jordan during the 1997 Finals when the Bulls where in Utah for games 3,4 and 5. For years he’s been able to share with friends a story of applesauce and luck leading to the ownership of Jordan’s shoes following what could possibly be his most iconic game.
As it turns out, Truman took care of Jordan when the Bulls were in town in ’96 after hunting down applesauce for the hall-of-famer. When the Bulls returned in ’97 for the Finals Jordan remembered him, especially after Truman had graham crackers and applesauce waiting for him upon arrival.
When things turned sour for Jordan during his food poisoning before game 5, Truman was by his side, even having enough nerve to ask for his shoes following the game. Jordan said yes.
After Jordan delivered a win for the Bulls, nearly being carried off the court completely by teammate Scottie Pippen, Jordan delivered his shoe promise to Truman.
Now, more than 15 years later, Truman plans to put the shoes up for auction. He was once offered $11,000 for the sneakers but turned down the offer — that was nearly 14 years ago. The real Air Jordans are expected to fetch tens of thousands of dollars; they have been inside a safe-deposit box for most of this time. Truman has only seen them personally a hand full of times.
You can read the whole story at the Salt Lake Tribune.
Below is an excerpt:
“I’m 35, and 40’s just right around the corner, and it seems like time goes by faster the older you get,” he says. “Maybe it’s just time to get those things out there.”
He reached out to auction houses, which verified that his shoes were the real McCoy by checking that Jordan’s suit in the photos matched what he was seen wearing earlier that night, and that the shoes bore identifiable scuff marks (which luckily they still did, even though Truman at one point narrowly prevented his mom from cleaning them off with a dish rag).
Bidding on the most iconic memorabilia from the most iconic athlete in his most iconic game will begin at $5,000 on Nov. 18 at Grey Flannel Auctions. Similar items have gone for tens of thousands of dollars.
The series was tied 2-2 during the ‘flu game’ and Jordan came through for the Bulls, as he always did. The moment Jordan was carried off by Pippen is no doubt one of the most iconic of Jordan’s career — albeit he does have quite the collection. The size 13 shoes are still one of the coolest sports auction items I’ve ever seen.
Tens of thousands? I could see this fetching seven figures if the right people get involved.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him @JHelmuth or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
