Michael Jordan or Deion Sanders: Who's the Best Trendsetter?

Probably the most lasting and famous of all of Jordan’s innovations in the NBA, his shoes have endured three retirements and are still going strong.

Carmelo Anthony has his own line of Jordan Brand sneakers and Richard Hamilton, Ray Allen, and Joe Johnson also endorse the Jordan line.

Whether on or off the court, Jordans are coveted in neighborhoods across the country.

Above, Carmelo shows off a pair of his M3 sneakers.

Do-rags were nothing new to inner-cities, but when Deion decided to wear one, star players followed in unison like high schoolers trying to maintain the status quo.

Deion’s bandanas and stocking caps came in coordinating colors and today’s players often use some type head accessory between their hair and helmet.

Jordan’s bald head was ahead of its time, but now it’s become one of the most common hairstyles in sports. Jordan made the cue ball fashionable and the clean-shaven look is now a staple of the NBA.

Ray Allen prefers the chrome-dome look and also endorses the Jordan brand.

Deion wasn’t the first player to celebrate but his high-stepping, ball-waving touchdown trot was ajoy to watch.

Prime Time made it cool to celebrate again and players like Chad Ochocinco, Desean Jackson, and Terrell Owens have often imitated his showmanship.

Jackson has even had a few mishaps along the way by turning the ball over during premature celebrations.

Jordan was known for wearing a pair of North Carolina Tar Heel shorts under his NBA short set.

Naturally, with two pairs of shorts on he needed the top pair to be longer. The trend caught fire and thigh-highs have turned into knee-length trunks.
Now most players wear longer shorts and an extra pair underneath.

Above James is clad in Jordan's signature No. 23 and his trademark long shorts.

Deion ushered in a facemask with two bars on the top row that allowed skill players to see the field better and it became a must-have item.

He was one of the first players to don this type of helmet but his followers are many and like most of his fashion choices, this one stuck around.

Here, Devin Hester, who has big-play ability similar to Deion, sports the facemask with a visor.

Kobe Bryant has copied Jordan style in every manner.

He began his career wearing Adidas sneakers and rocking an Afro to distance himself from MJ’s shadow.

However, Kobe sings a different song today with his own line of Nikes, a close-shaven hairstyle, and a tongue-waving tendency.

Kobe also borrowed Jordan's turnaround jumper and head coach Phil Jackson, but who’s counting?

DeAngelo came into the league as a high draft pick with tremendous speed and a huge ego similar to Deion.

He wore No. 21 for the Atlanta Falcons and is very boastful on and off the field like Deion.

The two-time Pro Bowler has also played for several teams like Sanders and is one of the fastest players in the NFL.