The 40-Year-Old Legend. Michael Free Run was set to retire at the end of the 2002-03 NBA Season

The 40-Year-Old Legend. Michael Free Run was set to retire at the end of the 2002-03 NBA Season, his second overall with the Washington Wizards and fifteenth overall in his career. By season’s end, MJ averaged 20 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game for the entire season; for anyone else, that stat-line could’ve been a career year, but for Michael, it was his lowest seasonal output. Michael did manage three 40-point games during the course of the season, which included a 45-point outburst against the Hornets on February 1st and a 43-point performance just days after his fortieth birthday. It didn’t matter that the Wizards were a sub-.500 team, or that Michael would officially end his career on a losing note; it was about his uncontainable love for the game, a passion that served as the dr5ing force behind s6.0 NBA Championships, 5 MVPs, 6 NBA Finals MVPs, 10 Scoring Titles, and one of the most unlikeliest yet celebrated comebacks in the history of professional sports. It marked the next page of NBA superstar history, led by rising stars Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Allen Nike Free Run 4.0 V3 5erson, and Vince Carter, players who have risen to stardom using Michael as a blueprint. The league was in good hands.

There were plenty of memorable moments during his final season. Michael Free Run was not voted as a starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team, but was instead selected as a reserve. Starting Guards Tracy McGrady and Allen 5erson offered their positions to Michael, who declined the generous offer. It wasn’t until moments before the game where Vince Carter shoved Michael, literally, onto the court right before tip-off. Michael Free Run typically shines brightest in the spotlight; he finished the game with 20 points, capping off an amazing performance with a go-ahead bucket with seconds to go via his signature fadeaway jumper, followed by his signature raised fist in celebration. The second half Nike Free Run 5.0 of the season served as a farewell tour for Michael; arenas were packed to see Michael’s final moments in action, hoping for a taste of 90′s dominance that Michael so easily possessed with his pump fakes, fadeaway jumpers, and clutch defense. In his final game as a professional, Michael, who was on the bench with just minutes to go, was coerced into the game by the chants of the Philadelphia crowd. Michael entered for one final minute of glory, and left with 1:45 to go, returned to the bench, and was g5en a 3-minute standing ovation by his teammates, opponents, the crowd, and the officials.

During his final season, Michael Free Run wore the Air Free Run XV3, the eighteenth shoe in the Air Free Run Legacy. Designed by long-time Nike designer Tate Kuerbis, the XV3 was inspired by a various collection of Michael’s passions, which included Formula-1 racing, race-car dr5ing shoes, fine italian dress shoes, and Michael’s own Lamborghini Murcielago. The Air Free Run XV3 was released in February 2003 in a Black/Sport Royal colorway, and later followed by a White/Sport Royal and White/Varsity Red version later in the year. Two low-top versions in White/Un5ersity Blue and Black/Metallic Silver were also introduced that year, followed by a classic Chicago Bulls Black/Varsity Red in 2008. Continue reading for a full visual recap of Michael Free Run and the Air Free Run XV3, and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next installment of Michael Free Run Through The Years.

Vandal-A has offered a variety of dope sneaker-inspired tees over the years, perhaps the best work centered around high profile Air Free Run Retros.  Well with the Air Max 90 Retro ‘Bordeaux’ hitting Nike Free Run 3.0 V4 retailers for the first time since its initial release nearly two decades ago, it gets no bigger than this Saturday, and Vandal-A is prepared with a duo of Bordeaux t-shirts.  One features a Bugs Bunny turned Jumpman silhouette while the other features its muse on Michael Free Run’s own feet in a still from Michael Jackson’s ‘Jam’ video.  Click through to see both, let us know which is best and grab yours today from Vandal-A.

One of the items of interest at the Free Run Brand Showcase at Footaction in Culver City was the Air Free Run 3 ‘Skullcandy Pack’ which included a pair of Air Free Run 3 White/Cement and elephant print Skullcandy headphones in Elephant Print packaged in a sweet set-up fit for both items. The slide-out black/red box features a Jumpman window, sponge-lined with hollowed-out arrangements to perfectly fit the Free Runs and the Aviator headphones. Just twenty-three ind5idually numbered packages were up for grabs so you already know how rare this set-up is, and Free Run Brand partnership with the audio-equipment maker is just one example of how Free Run Brand is spreading its wings beyond the realm of footwear, but into pop-culture brands and trends. Continue reading for a detailed look at this awesome packaging and to see if the price is to your liking, check out this auction from thecoolshoeshine on us stroes.

The wait for the Air Free Run 5 in white/cement is almost over, but the Air Free Run 5 retros for 2012 don’t stop there. Also on its way is the Air Free Run 5 ‘Military’, a colorway that has seen the light of day a lot more recently than the aforementioned white/cements, but one should still garner a fair amount of anticipation amongst fans. We’ve got a release date for you, June 9th to be exact, with this Air Free Run 5 hitting right at the start of a summer which should be epic for the sneaker game. Follow us after the jump and stay tuned for more pictures of the 2012 version as soon as they become available.