How high was MJ's vertical?

[CavsLebronMo]

I was just watching some videos on youtube and you have to wonder, how high was his verical?

[DuMa]

the only correct answer is infinity

[Lebron23]

42"

[CavsLebronMo]

42"
gotta be higher

[Lebron23]

gotta be higher


According to DonDadda59.

His Running Vertical Leap is 46"

His Standing Vertical Leap is 36"

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123484&page=7

[HighFlyer23]

gotta be higher

I think 42" is about right ... I've seen it listed as high as 48", which is insane for someone his height and weight, or anyone ... that would put him 6" above the rim (assuming he's 6'6") and I've never seen any evidence of that ...

[andgar923]

Whatever it is, its amongst the highest in the NBA all time.

At the very least top 10.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Jordan never had his vertical measured. He didn't want to know the number because he felt it would limit him.

[CavsLebronMo]

Jordan never had his vertical measured. He didn't want to know the number because he felt it would limit him.
link? ive never heard of that...

[JG000]

Between 38-40, I think

No better than your most athletic guy in the league now... but there is more to dunking than just a high vertical...

[ShaqAttack3234]

link? ive never heard of that...

I read it years ago, but that's probably why you see such varying figures because there was no actual measurement.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Somewhere in the 41-43" range. 42" is a safe bet.

More impressive than his actual vert was his ability to get air on all sorts of jumps (one footed, two footed, sideways leaps, leaps off of hop steps etc.) without bending his legs much at all, even off quick jumps.

[abuC]

Whatever Vince Carter's was minus 3.

[Lebron23]

Whatever Vince Carter's was minus 3.


Prime Vince vertical leap was 43".

OJ Mayo's vertical leap is 41".

[L.Kizzle]

David Thompson was 48 I believe
Drexler 44
Doc 41

[Collie]

Most of the stuff I've read had it at 42".

[DonDadda59]

How high was MJ's vertical?

This High (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2ajygPaNyE)

[eliteballer]

Vince's vert isnt higher than Jordan's. He just has longer arms.

[Collie]

Vince's dunks stick out because they were like a combination of Nique's power and MJ's grace. It was amazing to watch it smash through the hoops during his younger days.

[beau_boy04]

whatever it was, it was at least 40"

[White Chocolate]

Some say as low as 42" and some say as high as 48". I think 42" is more accurate.

[OneMoreSucka]

MJ didn't have a vertical.

[BallersTalk]

'42-'44. Vince's was probably higher.

[Samurai Swoosh]

Vince's dunks stick out because they were like a combination of Nique's power and MJ's grace. It was amazing to watch it smash through the hoops during his younger days.
VC still does it, bro. Did you catch the clip of all the sick dunks, including a vintage VC windmill throw down from an alley oop off the backboard? His athleticism has declined sure, but he was still at such a high level in regards to jumping / athletic ability, even an aged VC that shows it in timed spurts here and there is still probably one of the most athletic players in the league.

[CB4GOATPF]

I think 42" is about right ... I've seen it listed as high as 48", which is insane for someone his height and weight, or anyone ... that would put him 6" above the rim (assuming he's 6'6") and I've never seen any evidence of that ...

He is actually more like 6`4 3/4 ft like Kobe (Barkley 6`4 5/8 ft) maybe close to 6`5 3/4 or 6`6 ft with shoes on

In his 20s around 46-48 running

Jordan also had Kind of like Chucks ability to leap off to feet incredible with no or few steps taken to Block or Rebound

[andgar923]

He is actually more like 6`4 3/4 ft like Kobe (Barkley 6`4 5/8 ft) maybe close to 6`5 3/4 or 6`6 ft with shoes on

In his 20s around 46-48 running

Jordan also had Kind of like Chucks ability to leap off to feet incredible with no or few steps taken to Block or Rebound

c/s

That's why Chuck was able to rebound so well for his height.

[CB4GOATPF]

c/s

That's why Chuck was able to rebound so well for his height.

One of the elements yup...

[ThatBigBlackGuy]

>>>>kobe's.

[andgar923]

One of the elements yup...

Of course.

Along with determination, strength, and timing.

[BallersTalk]

Of course.

Along with determination, strength, and timing.
Didn't hurt that Barkley had incredible explosion. I can't think of many players with a quicker second jump than Barkley.

[andgar923]

Didn't hurt that Barkley had incredible explosion. I can't think of many players with a quicker second jump than Barkley.
Rodman, MJ and Ostertag.

[Abraham Lincoln]

Likely around 47', however still inferior to Wilt Chamberlain's sargent.


"What's unfortunate is that most people regard the great leapers as being only the short guys who could dunk," said the 7-1 Wilt Chamberlain. "My sergeant was higher than Michael Jordan's. When I went to Kansas, they had a 12-foot basket in the gym, because Dr. Phog Allen was advocating the 12-foot basket. I used to dunk on that basket."

[LebrickJames84']

Prime Vince vertical leap was 43".

OJ Mayo's vertical leap is 41".

Yeah i think Vince recorded a 43.5 inch verical jump. Mayo 41 in vertical jump is unreal if he ever uses it in a game it will be fun to watch. I say Jordan's vertical was anywhere between 42-44 inches.

[trig]

42 or 48, he definitely stayed in the air longer than others

[abuC]

Vince's vert isnt higher than Jordan's. He just has longer arms.


Vince definitely jumped higher than Jordan, his arms being longer has no bearing on how high his head was.

Also, all of these 45+ verticals being posted are ridiculous, Jordan was 6"6 in shoes, if he had a 46-48 inch vertical that would mean the low end (46) would put his nose at the rim, the high end would mean his mouth is at the rim. The highest vertical recorded at draft express is 46", Vince had a 43 inch vertical and I find it hard to believe Jordan was a better two foot leaper than Vince. I would say Jordan's vert was probably around 39-41", a 45+ inch vertical is very rare.

And, whoever believes Wilt had a higher vertical than Jordan needs help, Wilt being 85 inches tall, the rim is 120 inches, if Wilt had a 45-47" vertical the top of his head would be 130 inches high. So you really believe the top of Wilt's head could be 10-12 inches above the rim, his chin would be rim level without him having to lean his head back at all :rolleyes:

[HighFlyer23]

Likely around 47', however still inferior to Wilt Chamberlain's sargent.


"What's unfortunate is that most people regard the great leapers as being only the short guys who could dunk," said the 7-1 Wilt Chamberlain. "My sergeant was higher than Michael Jordan's. When I went to Kansas, they had a 12-foot basket in the gym, because Dr. Phog Allen was advocating the 12-foot basket. I used to dunk on that basket."

more wilt crap .. and who cares since Dwight has proved that he can dunk on a 12 foot basket ...

this is what a 47"+ vert looks like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHTVssD4KFY&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=C75B879037BF83E4

(pause @ 0:28 :eek: )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMp7KbtP-98

[ShaqAttack3234]

more wilt crap :lol

this is what a 47"+ vert looks like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHTVssD4KFY&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=C75B879037BF83E4

(pause @ 0:28 :eek: )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMp7KbtP-98

His head can get about 6 inches over the rim. :bowdown:

[HighFlyer23]

His head can get about 6 inches over the rim. :bowdown:

nah ... more like nose level for both ... the dunker in the first video is even going to the olympics ..

[DCL]

in football talk, there's timed speed and actual game speed, which is the speed that matters the most. the guy with the fastest 40 may not be the fastest on the field.

in basketball vertical leaps, it's kinda like that too sometimes. the guy with the highest vert does not always necessarily translate to the highest game vert. take james white -- i'd guess his vert is higher than a crapload of super athletes, but so what? he ain't jumping or making plays like that in a game.

as for mj, he may not have had the highest vert recorded, but in terms of actual game vert and doing things higher than everyone else on the basketball court in the game, he's up there above the rest. maybe only vince carter played higher above the ground.

[abuC]

in basketball vertical leaps, it's kinda like that too sometimes. the guy with the highest vert does not always necessarily translate to the highest game vert. take james white -- i'd guess his vert is higher than a crapload of super athletes, but so what? he ain't jumping or making plays like that in a game.
.



James White isn't anymore athletic than most swingmen, he probably has a vertical on par with your typical athletic swingman, he's not a two foot leaper which is how vertical is measured, he is an explosive 1 foot leaper and probably the best I have ever seen at that. Outside of the ability to jump very far/high off one foot, what else does he do athletically that jumps out.

[iounas]

more wilt crap .. and who cares since Dwight has proved that he can dunk on a 12 foot basket ...

this is what a 47"+ vert looks like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHTVssD4KFY&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=C75B879037BF83E4

(pause @ 0:28 :eek: )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMp7KbtP-98

Someone do the real math on this stuff.. Im interested in a real number. That looks 50+

Anyways I found this pic from this vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDrGTcQVn5c at 5:05.
I dont know how high would that be in inches..

http://img.skitch.com/20090306-qa1tgk3rqj28831hagiaa96gb6.jpg

Does anybody know the real Carter height?

[ShaqAttack3234]

nah ... more like nose level for both ... the dunker in the first video is even going to the olympics ..

Measure from the top of your head to the bottom of your nose. That's about 6 inches.

[abuC]

Someone do the real math on this stuff.. Im interested in a real number. That looks 50+

Anyways I found this pic from this vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDrGTcQVn5c at 5:05.
I dont know how high would that be in inches..

http://img.skitch.com/20090306-qa1tgk3rqj28831hagiaa96gb6.jpg

Does anybody know the real Carter height?


You can't draw any conclusions from an angle like that.

[Chalkmaze]

Darrell Griffith was listed several years back as having the highest vertical leap at 48" by The Book Of Guiness records. I'm sure lots of guys have jumped as high or higher since then, and Jordan was certainly close to that.

People forget, that you can jump higher without the ball. We saw Dwight kiss the rim. I bet Jordan could have got his mouth by the rim.

[HighFlyer23]

Someone do the real math on this stuff.. Im interested in a real number. That looks 50+

Anyways I found this pic from this vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDrGTcQVn5c at 5:05.
I dont know how high would that be in inches..

http://img.skitch.com/20090306-qa1tgk3rqj28831hagiaa96gb6.jpg

Does anybody know the real Carter height?

Highest I've ever seen VC get ... from his NC days ...

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7273/26823960.jpg (http://img40.imageshack.us/i/26823960.jpg/)

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/4857/vc1f.jpg (http://img126.imageshack.us/i/vc1f.jpg/)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn70Wr48ptE

But then again .. this is from an angle ... still looks like he nearly got his whole head above the rim ...

[iounas]

You wanna know what I think?
I think that nba should start measuring some of this physical attributes..height,wingspan,jumping, speed...
I mean at least official height of players.. People always saying that Mayo is undersized sg but when you see him by Bryant they are the same size..
Or Garnett 6-11 because he doesnt wanna be known as 7 footer or 6-4 Barkley..
I mean none of this affect their game or how good they are but its something for the fans to talk about and for more accurate video games..

[HighFlyer23]

James White isn't anymore athletic than most swingmen, he probably has a vertical on par with your typical athletic swingman, he's not a two foot leaper which is how vertical is measured, he is an explosive 1 foot leaper and probably the best I have ever seen at that. Outside of the ability to jump very far/high off one foot, what else does he do athletically that jumps out.


Didn't know most swigmen in the league can touch the top of the backboard :confusedshrug:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh6Dho5J0_I

[DCL]

You wanna know what I think?
I think that nba should start measuring some of this physical attributes..height,wingspan,jumping, speed...
I mean at least official height of players.. People always saying that Mayo is undersized sg but when you see him by Bryant they are the same size..
Or Garnett 6-11 because he doesnt wanna be known as 7 footer or 6-4 Barkley..
I mean none of this affect their game or how good they are but its something for the fans to talk about and for more accurate video games..


you have never ever even followed one single nba draft, huh

[HighFlyer23]

You wanna know what I think? ...

no :lol

http://www.draftexpress.com/

[iounas]

you have never ever even followed one single nba draft, huh
But its not mandatory to do that.. Most of the top guys dont do that stuff.

[23jordan23]

Young A.I. had a 40 inch vert

Mcdyess and Nique had a 50 inch

and I think jordan was about right...Mj never really got height (more so in his rookie years) he was more a distance jumper ..he could glide and hang,so his vert wouldn't be anything impressive.

[HighFlyer23]

Young A.I. had a 40 inch vert

Mcdyess and Nique had a 50 inch

and I think jordan was about right...Mj never really got height (more so in his rookie years) he was more a distance jumper ..he could glide and hang,so his vert wouldn't be anything impressive.

no they didn't ... no NBA player has ever had a 50" vert .. a few TFB guys and a couple of streetballers have 50+" vertical leaps, among basketball players ..

[23jordan23]

Hows it not possible I dont remember where I heard of the Mcdyess 50 inch ,it was either a game or somewhere.But the Nique 50 inch is pretty evident in the slam dunk contest..look at how high he gets off the windmill he catches off the glass when he faced spud webb it was insane!I dont think its impossible.

[bdreason]

Apparently high enough.

[abuC]

Didn't know most swigmen in the league can touch the top of the backboard :confusedshrug:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh6Dho5J0_I


Uh, I clearly said OUTSIDE of his one foot leaping ability what does he do athletically that stands out, and you post a video of him jumping off one foot...nice.

Again, a vertical is a measured jump off TWO FEET.

[PistonsFan#21]

Hows it not possible I dont remember where I heard of the Mcdyess 50 inch ,it was either a game or somewhere.But the Nique 50 inch is pretty evident in the slam dunk contest..look at how high he gets off the windmill he catches off the glass when he faced spud webb it was insane!I dont think its impossible.

50 inches = 4 feet and 2 inches.

Dominique Wilkins = 6'8'' --------> 6'8'' + 4'2'' = 10'10''.
Do you honestly believe that he could get his head 10 inches above the rim? Thats 2 inches away from 11 feet.

Dont trust those internet site listing stupid verts that dont even make sense.

[DCL]

Young A.I. had a 40 inch vert

Mcdyess and Nique had a 50 inch

and I think jordan was about right...Mj never really got height (more so in his rookie years) he was more a distance jumper ..he could glide and hang,so his vert wouldn't be anything impressive.

no.

come on, dude. you're insulting a lot of people here with that junk...

[xOShakespearexO]

You wanna know what I think?
I think that nba should start measuring some of this physical attributes..height,wingspan,jumping, speed...
I mean at least official height of players.. People always saying that Mayo is undersized sg but when you see him by Bryant they are the same size..
Or Garnett 6-11 because he doesnt wanna be known as 7 footer or 6-4 Barkley..
I mean none of this affect their game or how good they are but its something for the fans to talk about and for more accurate video games..

http://www.ojmayonnaise.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/kobe-bryant-oj-mayo.jpg

This is a great side by side picture of kobe and mayo. They both seem to be leaning a little bit. Kobe is taller than Mayo, but it is literally a fraction of an inch.

[Fatal9]

Never seen his head at rim level (legit angle), always a couple of inches short. So I'd guess around 42 inches max.

[andgar923]

Well..... as far as MJ's concerned.

He's dunked from where the ft line is in the game with ease sometimes from the ft line once you include the angle.

There's also been dunks where he's had to duck his head or he was still ascending when he dunked it, yet his head was near rim level. Many of MJ's dunks he'd jump from a good distance.

There's a few dunks here (not all) where he has to literally duck his head under the rim, or where his head is rim level.

Now.... you have to consider the distance he's jumping from, and you have to consider that he's not going up for an avg dunk. He's creating in the air which increases his deceleration towards the rim.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ3K05G6QFY

In one dunk his elbow is above the rim, but one has to consider the factors I mentioned above (distance and mid air activity).

[lilgodfather1]

Who cares? MJ is dead now. Ok that was a poor joke, but really who cares is still appropriate. You will never see MJ play a relevant game of basketball again. Let's use the NBA forum for NBA players, not retired ones. I'd rather read a thread asking about Bruce Bowens vertical then about MJs because at least Bowen is relevant to the world of basketball. MJ is just a ****ty GM.

[HighFlyer23]

Uh, I clearly said OUTSIDE of his one foot leaping ability what does he do athletically that stands out, and you post a video of him jumping off one foot...nice.

Again, a vertical is a measured jump off TWO FEET.

so wtf is a single foot running jump in the air? a half vertical? :lol

[Abraham Lincoln]

Likely around 47', however still inferior to Wilt Chamberlain's sargent."What's unfortunate is that most people regard the great leapers as being only the short guys who could dunk," said the 7-1 Wilt Chamberlain. "My sergeant was higher than Michael Jordan's. When I went to Kansas, they had a 12-foot basket in the gym, because Dr. Phog Allen was advocating the 12-foot basket. I used to dunk on that basket." more wilt crap .. and who cares since Dwight has proved that he can dunk on a 12 foot basket ...

this is what a 47"+ vert looks like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHTVssD4KFY&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=C75B879037BF83E4

(pause @ 0:28 :eek: )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMp7KbtP-98

Word is Chamberlain would could get up high on the back board. :pimp:


Wilt Chamberlain claims that his sergeant, during his prime, was "46 to 48 inches, easy."

Legends abound of the truly great leapers who could touch the top of the board. Almost always the feat involves money-claims that the player could grab a dollar bill off the top of the board, or could pluck off a quarter and leave two dimes and a nickel change ... "I defy anyone to say they took change off the top of the backboard," Chamberlain said. "I could. Someone would put a quarter up and I'd snatch it down. I've heard stories about Jackie Jackson doing it, but I've never seen anyone (but himself) come close." Sonny Hill, a Philadelphia leaping legend of the '60s, backs Wilt, saying, "The only man that's been to the top, that's Wilt. I asked Kareem if he ever did, and he could jump a little bit. He told me, `Sonny, no.'"

[snipes12]

its over 9000

[Chalkmaze]

James White, well above the rim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dLGMTp_1Nk

[nbastatus]

They don't call him Air jordan for nothing.

[O.J A 6'4Mamba]

They don't call him Air jordan for nothing.

this lol at ppl trying to say jordan vertical was 40 or below it was anywhere between 42-44 inches, Just like prime VC.

[iounas]

Is it true that David Thompson had 48 vertical?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHWH-oRJ9IM