The Greatest Air Jordan Moments Since Michael Jordan Retired

Free Throw Line Dunk. Dream Team. 72-10. Space Jam. The Flu Game. The Last Shot. Those are just some of the moments from Michael Jordan's career that instantly evoke an Air Jordan connection. However, since Jordan left the game for good in 2003 and put the reputation of his brand in the hands of its roster of athletes, those iconic Air Jordan moments have been few and far between. That's not necessarily a knock on the athletes—most are asked to wear team models, others get their own signature line and, most importantly, none of them are quite MJ. A man that redefined the way his sport was played, Jordan seemingly made a highlight play or hit some kind of milestone every time he took the court, setting a bar that elite players in all sports continue to chase today.

There have been some memorable Air Jordan moments since he called an to the D.C. chapter of his career, though. Clutch shots, broken records, poster dunk and, of course, championships. Read on for a refresher on the moments that define the post-Jordan era of the iconic line (so far).

Game: North Carolina vs. Gonzaga

Date: Apr. 3, 2017

Shoe: Air Jordans

The Tar Heels have won three National Championships since Jordan called it quits, but the element of redemption in the 2017 run following gut-wrenching letdown a year earlier makes it the sweetest. Additionally, many of the players wore Nikes in the previous two finals, while the 2017 team was fully laced in Jordans—including their very own Air Jordan 31 exclusives.

Game: Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference

Dates: Feb. 15, 2015 & Feb. 14, 2016

Shoes: Air Jordan 29 PE & Air Jordan 30 "Cosmos" PE

The NBA All-Star Game is a showcase that was made for players like Russell Westbrook. It's an exhibition, but try telling Westbrook to take a play off—it's never going to happen. He scored 41 points en route to MVP honors in 2015, then followed that performance up with 31 points in 2016—both Western Conference victories.

Game: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat

Date: March 16, 2011

Shoe: Air Jordan 2011 "Team Red"

Dwyane Wade's stint as the Air Jordan flagship lead before getting his own signature line was brief, but eventful. In one of the biggest highlight plays of his career, Wade spun through a Thunder double-team and, for lack of a better phrase, straight banged on Kendrick Perkins in Jordan-esque fashion. The Air Jordan 2011 isn't exactly the most memorable Jordan, but Wade did his part in giving the model some in-game context that will forever be part of the line's history.

Game: Indiana Fever vs, Minnesota Lynx

Date: Oct. 14, 2015

Shoe: Air Jordan XX9 "Year of the Goat"

Simply put, Maya Moore is one of the greatest athletes to ever be part of the Jordan Brand. After winning her first two titles in team models, Moore wrapped up her third WNBA Championship in 2015 while wearing the "Year of the Goat" Air Jordan XX9. At her rate of success, it's only a matter of time until Moore adds more hardware to her mantle.

Game: Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs

Date: June 15, 2014

Shoe: Air Jordan XX8 SE PE

The league realized Kawhi Leonard was a problem when he rose to the occasion in matchups against LeBron James in the 2013 and 2014 NBA Finals. After suffering a crushing defeat the first time, Leonard and the Spurs bounced back to claim the franchise's fifth championship, largely in part because of his play on both ends of the floor.

Game: United States vs. Spain

Date: Aug. 24, 2008

Shoe: Air Jordan XX3 Olympic PE

After Team USA failed to win the gold medal in the 2004 Olympics, the vaunted "Redeem Team" was assembled for the 2008 games in Beijing to reestablish American dominance. In a challenging final against Spain, Paul had 13 points and 5 assists, helping USA reclaim its throne. The tournament was a monumental moment for Nike, which had just introduced the Hyperdunk for Kobe Bryant and others. Paul, in a PE colorway of the Air Jordan XX3, made sure the Jordan Brand team shined on that stage as well.

Game: San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs

Date: Oct. 7, 2016

Shoe: Air Jordan 1 Custom Cleats

Perhaps the most unexpected moment on this list, Baez immediately went viral when the internet noticed that he hit his game-winning 2016 NLDS home run in a pair of Air Jordan 1 cleats. However, because he went viral, Nike noticed he wasn't wearing company-issued cleats and asked him to stop breaking out the custom adaptations. History tends to repeat itself, and once again, the Air Jordan 1 was "banned." 

Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics

Date: Feb. 10, 2011

Shoe: Air Jordan 13 Retro "Ray Allen"

It was the perfect scenario. Ray Allen, as a Celtic, had the opportunity to break Reggie Miller's all-time career record for three-pointers made with the rival Los Angeles Lakers in the house. Then, as Miller himself watched from the commentary table, Allen drilled a first quarter trey in front of Kobe Bryant to set the new mark. The Air Jordan 13 Retro he wore in the game became one of the most sought after and collectible pairs of Jordans ever released.

Game: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets

Date: Apr. 9, 2017

Shoe: Air Jordan 31 PE

He lives by the motto of "Why Not?" so why couldn't Russell Westbrook become the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961 to average a triple-double for an entire NBA season? Not only did Westbrook accomplish the feat, but he broke Robertson's single-season record with 42 triple-doubles overall. In triple-double number 42, Westbrook had 50 points and a buzzer-beating three-pointer from deep to give the Thunder a road victory. That's Westbrook's 2016-17 season in a nutshell.

In terms of sneakers, what made everything even more special is that Westbrook wore his own version of the Air Jordan 31 with customized tooling all season long. The 31 may be the first Air Jordan model that we'll truly associate with somebody other than Michael Jordan in the future.

Game: San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat

Date: 06/18/13

Shoe: Air Jordan XX8 Finals PE

Ray Allen's game-tying three-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals is the greatest shot in NBA history. League officials had already started setting up for San Antonio's celebration, but the Heat never gave up. To cap off their rally, LeBron James missed a three-point attempt, Chris Bosh grabbed a tough rebound and Ray Allen worked himself into position from one of his sweet spots. Without ever looking down, Allen knew he was beyond the arc, went through his usual motion and drilled the shot. The Heat went on to win in overtime and force a Game 7, where they won their second-straight championship.

Generally thought of as the player with the best Air Jordans outside of Michael Jordan himself, Allen came up clutch in a PE colorway of the Air Jordan XX8. The colorway never released, but when they decide to retro the model in the distant future, bet that this game will one of the stories they decide to tell.