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KILDARE, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 22:  Michael Jordan smokes a cigar and watches the action during the morning fourballs of the first day of the 2006 Ryder Cup at The K Club on September 22, 2006 in Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland.  (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Gett
KILDARE, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Michael Jordan smokes a cigar and watches the action during the morning fourballs of the first day of the 2006 Ryder Cup at The K Club on September 22, 2006 in Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/GettRoss Kinnaird/Getty Images

Michael Jordan Owns The NBA Vertical Jump: Where's Carter and Kobe?

Rich FernandesSep 20, 2010

Michael Jordan "stomps the yard" when it comes to the highest vertical leap in NBA history.  No wonder he was able to put basketball fans on the edge of their seats, holding their collective breadths, as he flew through the air.  Just how high was Air Jordan's vertical leap?  Where do other great NBA stars rank in this category while compared to His Airness?   

The vertical leap is the measurement of a player’s jump from a standing position.  A high vertical leap usually transcends into a higher running leap.  The higher the player can jump, the more ferocious and spectacular is his dunk.

What made or makes talented jumpers like Jordan, Dr. J, and Vince Carter exciting to watch is the use of slow-motion replay.  No other league is better suited for this amazing technology than the NBA.  The original jump happens too quickly to truly appreciate, but in slow-motion replay, the player appears to be gracefully soaring through the air as if taking off on a trans-atlantic flight.  It is an allusion that drives fans crazy!  Its electrifying!

This slideshow is a tribute to Michael Jordan, and ten other NBA stars who were also phenomenal leapers in their own right.  It also includes an "honorable mention" section that, low and behold, includes some NBA players (while not stars) could actually out jump some of the ranked NBA stars!  Be warned however, because you will experience high turbulence caused by a rollercoaster surprise ending. 

Are you ready?  OK then, we have takeoff!

MUST READ:

#10 Julius Erving, AKA Dr. J

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Undated:  Center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers watches Julius Erving of the Philadelphia 76ers slam dunk the ball during a game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California.   Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn  /Allsport
Undated: Center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers watches Julius Erving of the Philadelphia 76ers slam dunk the ball during a game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

Vertical Leap:  41 inches

Height:  6 ft 7

Slam Dunk Titles:   None

Years Played:  1971 -1987

Major Achievements  1 NBA championship, 1 MVP award, 1 of the 50 greatest players of all time,     perennial all-star

Bio and More Stat's: 

You tube Replay: 

Bottom Line:  Erving’s 41 inch vertical leap puts the top of his head a full 1 inch below the rim and a whole 7 inches lower than His Airness.  Dr. J was the first spectacular "showoff jumper dunker" in the NBA.  He was an inspiration to future NBA jumpers including Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan.  I wonder if the good Dr. makes house calls to the International Space Station?

#9 Dominique Wilkins: The Human Highlight Film

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Forward Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks jumps to the basket during a game against the Denver Nuggets at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Forward Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks jumps to the basket during a game against the Denver Nuggets at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado.

Vertical Leap:  42 inches

Height:  6 ft. 8

Slam Dunk Titles:  1985, 1990

Years Played:  1982-1994

Major Achievements  NBA scoring champion (1986), perennial all-star

Bio and More Stat's: 

You Tube Replay: 

Bottom Line  Wilkins’ 42 inch (6 inches less than Jordan’s) vertical leap puts the top of his head a full 2 inches above the rim and a whole 4 inches lower than His Airness.  He spent much of his career in the shadow of Jordan, but was so good he should be in the top 50 players of all time.  Wilkins was a true Hawk.. a bird of prey who soared over other birds before dunking on them.  Poor Larry Bird!

#8 Tracy McGrady, AKA T-Mac

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PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 06:  Tracy McGrady #1 of the Houston Rockets shoots during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden on November 6, 2008 in Portland, Oregon.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downl
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 06: Tracy McGrady #1 of the Houston Rockets shoots during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden on November 6, 2008 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downl

Vertical Leap:  42 inches

Height:  6 ft. 8

Slam Dunk Titles:  None

Years Played:  1997-Present

Teams:  Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, NY Knicks, Detroit Pistons

Major Achievements:  2 x NBA scoring champion 2003 and 2004, perennial all-star

Bio and More Stat's: 

You Tube Replay: 

Bottom Line:  McGrady’s 42 inch (6 inches less than Jordan’s) vertical leap puts the top of his head a full 2 inches above the rim, and a whole 4 inches lower than His Airness.  McGrady was one of the most explosive scorers the game has ever seen.  Unfortunately he has lost a step or two, which is sad since he's about the same age as Kobe who is still flourishing.  If T-Mac and his cousin, Vince Carter stayed in Toronto they might have a championship.  Too bad they flew the coup!

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#7 Vince Carter, AKA Vinsanity

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BOSTON - MAY 28:  Vince Carter #15 of the Orlando Magic attempts a shot against Tony Allen #42 of the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 28, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts.  NOTE TO
BOSTON - MAY 28: Vince Carter #15 of the Orlando Magic attempts a shot against Tony Allen #42 of the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 28, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO

Vertical Leap:  43 inches

Height:  6 ft. 6

Slam Dunk Titles:  2000

Years Played:  1998 - Present 

Teams:  Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic

Major Achievements:  perennial all-star

Bio and More Stat's:   

You Tube Replay: 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf4H3OR-7IE&NR=1

Bottom Line:  Carter’s 43 inch (5 inches less than Jordan’s) vertical leap puts the top of his head a full 1 inches above the rim and a whole 5 inches lower than His Airness.  Big surprise here because most people would have thought Carter would be at the top of this list!     

#6 Clyde Drexler, Aka Clyde The Glide

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13 May 1997:  Forward Clyde Drexler of the Houston Rockets flies to the basket as forward David Wingate and guard Eric Snow of the Seattle Supersonics try to block him during a playoff game at the Summit in Houston, Texas.  The Supersonics won the game 10
13 May 1997: Forward Clyde Drexler of the Houston Rockets flies to the basket as forward David Wingate and guard Eric Snow of the Seattle Supersonics try to block him during a playoff game at the Summit in Houston, Texas. The Supersonics won the game 10

Vertical Leap:  43 inches

Height:  6 ft. 7

Slam Dunk Titles:  None

Years Played:  1983 -1998

Teams:  Portland Trailblazers, Houston Rockets

Major Achievements:  NBA championship (1995 Rockets), perennial all-star, 1 of 50 greatest players  

Bio and More Stat's:  

You tube Replay: 

Bottom Line:  Drexler’s 43 inch vertical leap puts the top of his head a full 2 inches above the rim and 4 inches lower than His Airness.  Unfortunately for Drexler, as good as he was, he spent much of his career gliding in Jordan’s shadow.

#5 Nate Robinson, Aka Krypto-Nate

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BOSTON - JUNE 13:  Nate Robinson #4 of the Boston Celtics goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 13, 2010 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won 92-86. NOTE TO USER: User expressly
BOSTON - JUNE 13: Nate Robinson #4 of the Boston Celtics goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 13, 2010 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won 92-86. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

Vertical leap:  43.5 inches

Height:  5 ft. 9

Slam Dunk Titles:  3 x champion 2006, 2009, 2010

Years Played:  2005 - Present

Teams:  New York Knicks, Boston Celtics

Major Achievements:  Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (2005)

Bio and More Stat's:   

You Tube Replay: 

Bottom Line:  Robinson’s 43.5 inch vertical leap puts the top of his head only 5 inches below the rim and like Web, an incredible feat for someone so short.  Actually 5 ft 9 is supposed to be average height... but definitely midget status in the freakish NBA where even Dwayne Wade (6 ft. 4) is considered short!

#4 LeBron James, AKA King James

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BOSTON - MAY 09:  LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers has a break away basket as Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics defends during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA playoffs at TD Garden on May 9, 2010 in Boston, Ma
BOSTON - MAY 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers has a break away basket as Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics defends during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA playoffs at TD Garden on May 9, 2010 in Boston, Ma

Vertical Leap:  44 inches

Height:  6 ft. 8 

Slam Dunk Titles:  2010

Years Played:  2003 - Present

Major Achievements:  2 x League MVP (2009,2010), Scoring Title (2008), perennial all-star 

Bio and More Stat's: 

You Tube Replay: 

Bottom Line:  James’ 44 inch (4 inches less than Jordan’s) vertical leap puts the top of his head a full 4 inches above the rim and only two inches lower than His Airness.  This takes into account James’ 2 inch height advantage over Jordan.  Lebron is a beast, but not the biggest beast in the sky!  Not sure what all the fuss has been about Lebron this past summer, because the dude is built for flying south!

#3 Bernard King

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DALLAS - MARCH 13:  Bernard King #32 of the Texas A&M Aggies shoots over Tim Barnes #12 of the Iowa State University Cyclones during the Big XII Championships at the American Airlines Center on March 13, 2003 in Dallas, Texas.  Iowa State defeated Texas A
DALLAS - MARCH 13: Bernard King #32 of the Texas A&M Aggies shoots over Tim Barnes #12 of the Iowa State University Cyclones during the Big XII Championships at the American Airlines Center on March 13, 2003 in Dallas, Texas. Iowa State defeated Texas A

Vertical Leap:  46 inches

Height:  6 ft. 7

Slam Dunk Titles:  None

Teams:  New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Washington Bullets

Major Achievements:  NBA scoring champion, perennial all-star, 60 greatest players of all time

Bio and More Stat's: 

You Tube Replay:  

Bottom Line:  King’s just under 4 foot vertical leap put the top of his head a full 5 inches above the rim and only one inch lower than His Airness.  King had 5 high scoring glorious years with the Knicks before breaking his leg and losing his explosive jumping power.  He was a scoring machine!  Unfortunately also for King, he spent much of his productive years in Michael Jordan's shadow.

#2 Anthony Webb, AKA Spud Web

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HOUSTON - FEBRUARY 18:  Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks goes up for a dunk over former slam dunk champion Spud Webb in the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk competition during NBA All-Star Weekend at the Toyota Center on February 18, 2006 in Houston,
HOUSTON - FEBRUARY 18: Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks goes up for a dunk over former slam dunk champion Spud Webb in the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk competition during NBA All-Star Weekend at the Toyota Center on February 18, 2006 in Houston,

Height:  5 foot 7 inches

Vertical Leap:  46 inches

Slam Dunk Titles: 1986

Years Played:  1985 - 1998

Teams:  Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic

Major Achievements:  Playing in the NBA at a height of 5 foot 7

Bio and More Stat's:   

You Tube Replay: 

Bottom Line:  Web’s just under 4 foot vertical leap put the top of his head only 5 inches below the rim, an incredible feat for someone so short.  This dude's 2 inches shorter than Nate Robinson!  Like Nate, playing in the NBA at this height is extremely rare. 

#1 Darrel Griffith, Aka Dr. Dunkenstein

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Vertical Leap:  48 inches

Height:  6 foot 4 inches

Slam Dunk Titles:  None

Years Played:  1981 - 1993

Teams:  Utah Jazz

Major Achievements:  Rookie of the Year, Jazz retired his number

Bio and More Stat's:   

You Tube Replay: 

Bottom Line:  Never heard of this dude, but a 4 foot (48") vertical leap puts him on the freaking moon!  His vertical leap is as high as Jordan's!  That puts the top of his head a full 4 inches above the rim and only two inches lower than His Airness.  Who is this guy? ! 

Air Jordan: Owner Of The NBA Vertical Leap Crown

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Vertical Leap:  48 inches

Height:  6 foot 6 inches

Slam Dunk Titles:  1987, 1988

Years Played:  1984 - 2003 (with two retirements in between)

Teams:  Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards

Major Achievements:  Way too many to list.  See link below.

Bio and More Stat's:   

You Tube Replay: 

Bottom Line:  Jordan’s incredible full 4 foot vertical leap put the top of his head 6 inches above the rim and the bottom of his feet higher than the rest of our NBA studs.  Rocketship Jordan  jumps 5 inches higher than Vince Carter, 4 inches higher than James, and an incredible 20 inches higher than the NBA average.  Only Dr. Dunkenstein (who?!) on the previous slide can jump as high, but he loses 2 inches to Jordan on height.  Michael Jordan had an amazing career that overshadowed many great players, including some mentioned here.   You're a mean dude Michael!  You gotta stop looking down on people because its not nice.

GROUNDED! Three Notorious Dunkers Who Can't Make The 40" Vertical Leap Club!

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All flights are grounded!
All flights are grounded!

Wow... this one is a big surprise!  Both Kobe Bryant's and Dwayne Wade's vertical leaps are less than 40 inches.  No 40 inch vertical leap club for you!

Kobe Bryant:  Vertical Leap of 38 inches

Kobe's Bottom Line:  Jordan's vertical leap is an incredible 10 inches (approx. 1 foot) higher than the Black Mamba's!  Kobe's vertical leap puts the top of his head a full 2 inches BELOW the rim and a full 10  inches lower than His Airness. 

Dwayne Wade:  Vertical Leap of 36 inches

Wade's Bottom Line:  Jordan's vertical leap is an incredible 12 inches (exactly 1 foot) higher than Wade's!

Dwight Howard:  Vertical Leap of 39.5 inches

Howard's Bottom Line:  Jordan's vertical leap is an incredible 8.5 inches higher than Superman's who misses the NBA 40 inch club by just 0.5 of an inch!  A vertical as high as this for such a big man like Howard is incredible (11.5 inches higher than the NBA average)!  He gets more airtime  than so many smaller guys including the two superstars mentioned above.  Furthermore, he is one of the few humans on the planet who can dunk on a 12 ft. rim!   Howard's vertical leap puts the top of his head a full 2.5 inches above the rim and 3.5 inches lower than His Airness. 

Honorable Mentions: Other Members Of The 40

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Jason Richardson.  Wow!
Jason Richardson. Wow!

Here are some other members of the 40" vertical leap club.  If you notice, there are players here that match or exceed the 41" leap starting point in the ranking.  Guys like Allen Iverson didn't make the ranking because he is not known to be a leaper.  There are others here such as Jason Richardson, James White, Harold Minor, and Dee Brown who can all out jump Lebron James! 

Allen Iverson

41"

Shawn Marion

41"

Carmelo Anthony

41"

Ricky Davis

42"

Jason Richardson

46"

James White

46"

Shannon Brown

45"

Steve Francis

43"

Fred Jones

42"

Dee Brown

44"

Harold Miner

44"

Larry Nance

40"

Shawn Kemp

40"

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