He won the slam dunk contest twice

Jordan is well-known for his outstanding jumping skills as a shot defender. One interesting truth about Michael Jordan is that several players of the new generation, like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, are reported to have been inspired by his high-flying abilities.

As the third overall draft pick, Jordan signed with the Bulls in 1984. He rapidly established himself as a star of the league, thrilling the crowd with his scoring prowess and earning a reputation as one of the best defensive players in basketball. He has been referred to as "Air Jordan" and "His Airness" because of his exceptional leaping ability, which was on display as he executed long-range jumpers from the free throw line in Slam Dunk Competitions.

It is commonly believed that Jordan's athletic leap, which was showcased in back-to-back Slam Dunk Championships in 1987 and 1988, had an impact on a generation of new players. James and Dwyane Wade are two NBA players who have mentioned looking up to Jordan as a role model when they were younger. In addition, pundits have referred to Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, Allen Iverson, Bryant, Vince Carter, James, and Wai Country as the "next Michael Jordan" when they enter the NBA.

Michael won the Slam Dunk Contest two years in a row, from 1987 to 1988, because to his remarkable leaps. He scored a perfect 50 the following year, which helped him win before Dominique Wilkins, who was similarly outstanding, did.