Earliest pair of game worn Michael Jordan shoes to be auctioned

By Mark Carman | Mar 12, 2015

Sep 7, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Michael Jordan in attendance at a ceremony to honor New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (not pictured) before the game against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports /

Lakers ballboy working with auction to group to sell game-worn rare pair Air Jordans

One of the best gigs going for any 15-year old regardless of foresight is being an NBA ballboy. You probably need a well-connected mom, dad, cousin or uncle to make this happen, but definitely take advantage if you do.

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Khalid Ali was a ballboy for the Los Angeles Lakers on December 2, 1984 when Michael Jordan was playing his 19th NBA game. Jordan and the Bulls somehow beat the Lakers 113-112 despite 32 points from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and 16 assists from Magic Johnson.

Jordan scored 20 on 7-13 shooting, surprisingly the third leading scorer on the Bulls.

Quintin Dailey was tops with 28, Orlando Woolridge added 23 – RIP, Dailey passed away at 49, Woolridge 52.

The shoes have “lived” on in Ali’s Mom’s closet.

Ali had asked Jordan for his shoes in warmups and MJ obliged, even signing the pair.

"“They were in my mom’s closet, I didn’t really talk about them much. People who met me after my teenage years don’t even know I have them.”"

Props to Ali’s Mom for taking such great care of a pair of sneakers for so long. Many Moms would have given Ali an ultimatum – get these shoes out of here or they are going in the garbage – but not the Ali household.

These were not actual “Air Jordans”, but just a standard pair of Nike’s. David Stern was fining Jordan 5,000 a game at the time for wearing actual Air Jordans since they didn’t have any white in them at the time. Way to lay down the law, Stern.

Michael didn’t pay the fine for this game going standard shoe and now 31 years later Ali, now 46, is going to get his money. SCP auctions is conducting the sale if you want to get involved. You will probably need 50-grand or so lying around to take home the pair.

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