Air Jordan 13: The "Black Cat" Legacy
The Air Jordan 13, released in 1997, is deeply rooted in Michael Jordan's on-court nickname: the "Black Cat." Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the shoe's aesthetic directly draws from the stealth and predatory instincts of a panther. The most iconic features include the unique holographic eye on the heel, which resembles a cat's eye and changes depending on the light, and the outsole, which is sculpted to look like a panther's paw print. This was the shoe Jordan wore during the 1997-98 season, his last with the Chicago Bulls, and while it wasn't the model he took "The Last Shot" in, it was a key part of his final championship run. The shoe's cultural status was also cemented by its prominent appearance in Spike Lee's 1998 film, He Got Game, leading to one of its most famous colorways being nicknamed after the movie.