Measuring Michael Jordan's and Vince Carter's Vertical Leap

[jstern]

While looking for a new avatar, I found this pretty interesting website that measured Jordan's and Vince's vertical through video analysis. So far I only found Vince and Jordan, but they also do video analysis for other sports.

http://videosportsanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/08/measuring-michael-jordans-1987-slam.html

Apparently Jordan had a 41.3" vertical for the dunk they measured, and Vince had a 37.6.

Vince's vertical is listed at I believe 43" and Jordan was listed at 48", and in a way the video analysis makes it seem more legit to me, considering they weren't jumping comfortably way up under the proper conditions, but doing complicated dunks.

Here's the Vince Carter analisis. Hopefully they'll do more NBA players in the future.

http://videosportsanalysis.blogspot.com/search/label/Vince%20Carter

[step_back]

While looking for a new avatar, I found this pretty interesting website that measured Jordan's and Vince's vertical through video analysis. So far I only found Vince and Jordan, but they also do video analysis for other sports.

http://videosportsanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/08/measuring-michael-jordans-1987-slam.html

Apparently Jordan had a 41.3" vertical for the dunk they measured, and Vince had a 37.6.

Vince's vertical is listed at I believe 43" and Jordan was listed at 48", and in a way the video analysis makes it seem more legit to me, considering they weren't jumping comfortably way up under the proper conditions, but doing complicated dunks.

Here's the Vince Carter analisis. Hopefully they'll do more NBA players in the future.

http://videosportsanalysis.blogspot.com/search/label/Vince%20Carter

MJ is the G.O.A.T but a 48inch vert is HUGE I think it was at very most 43inches. 48 is just flat out insane!

[jstern]

MJ is the G.O.A.T but a 48inch vert is HUGE I think it was at very most 43inches. 48 is just flat out insane!

48 is insane, but I don't think 43" is enough to dunk from the free throw line at Jordan's height. I mean, I believe Vince has longer arms than Jordan and he's listed at 43" and he's never managed to jump from the behind the free throw line.

[step_back]

48 is insane, but I don't think 43" is enough to dunk from the free throw line at Jordan's height. I mean, I believe Vince has longer arms than Jordan and he's listed at 43" and he's never managed to jump from the behind the free throw line.

Free throw line dunks don't neccessarily need as much height as it does distance (same princepal as long jumpers). Players like Scottie Pippen and Brent Barry dunked from the free throw line as well.

The max running vert for Jordan I would say is 44.5inches.

[lefthook00]

48 is insane, but I don't think 43" is enough to dunk from the free throw line at Jordan's height. I mean, I believe Vince has longer arms than Jordan and he's listed at 43" and he's never managed to jump from the behind the free throw line.

Vince did it a step inside the line, two handed with ease. I think he could do it, no sweat.

[MTing]

48 is insane, but I don't think 43" is enough to dunk from the free throw line at Jordan's height. I mean, I believe Vince has longer arms than Jordan and he's listed at 43" and he's never managed to jump from the behind the free throw line.
I'm sure a Prime Vince could probably jump from behind the free throw line. He was just a freak of nature.

[jstern]

Vince did it a step inside the line, two handed with ease. I think he could do it, no sweat.
Vince Carter is the greatest dunker of all time, but it’s obvious from his free throw line attempts that he just needed a little bit more, also when you take into consideration that his arms are longer than Jordan’s. (I think but I’m not sure) And I just saw that 2 handed dunked, that was waaay inside, nowhere near behind the free throw line, or around the free throw line, which Jordan did routinely with ease and without straining, cause Jordan also looked like could have dunk from further if he went all out and reaching. Bottom line, whatever their verticals were, Jordan could jump a little higher based video footage, but in my opinion in terms of dunks Jordan is number 2 behind Carter.

[jstern]

Free throw line dunks don't neccessarily need as much height as it does distance (same princepal as long jumpers). Players like Scottie Pippen and Brent Barry dunked from the free throw line as well.

The max running vert for Jordan I would say is 44.5inches.
Perhaps, but also consider that Pippen and Barry were taller than Jordan and extended their arms more. Taller, and longer arms, and reaching means Jordan had to jump significantly higher than them.

[step_back]

Perhaps, but also consider that Pippen and Barry were taller than Jordan and extended their arms more. Taller, and longer arms, and reaching means Jordan had to jump significantly higher than them.

your right about Pip, he is a legit 6'8 with a huge wing span. Brent barry is only listed as an inch taller. I'd say a max running vert of 44.5 inches is definately more accurate than 48.

Either way Jordan was/is a rare specimen of how athletic humans can be.

[jstern]

your right about Pip, he is a legit 6'8 with a huge wing span. Brent barry is only listed as an inch taller. I'd say a max running vert of 44.5 inches is definately more accurate than 48.

Either way Jordan was/is a rare specimen of how athletic humans can be.

I mean yeah, 44.5 sounds more realistic to me, but there

[Ghettobird]

very cool site, man, great find

[beermonsteroo]

I think Jordan even was higher then this on his foul line dunk in 1988.
Anyway, i think a max vert of 44.5 seems realistic for Jordan.

To do a foul line dunk at 6 6, i think a vert 30 is sufficient.
Look at the foul line dunk Jordan did in the tell me commercial in 1997. I don't think that he's jumping a lot higher then 30 inches in this one. However, it is enough to dunk it from the free throw line if you have the speed and the distance. It's just not as flashy as having the head on rim level. But to do the foul line dunk, a 6 6 guy does not need a lot more then 30. ( If he has the speed of course)

[lefthook00]

Do you guys think MJ could have done a legit free throw dunk with two hands a la James White?

[beermonsteroo]

Do you guys think MJ could have done a legit free throw dunk with two hands a la James White?

Yes. Easily. And so could have Carter.
However, in terms of foul line dunking both were not on the level of White. But to do a simple two handed dunk from the foul line wouldn't have been too much ofa problem for both of them.

[O.J A 6'4Mamba]

Jordan was a freak of nature it really is that simple. 41 inches with a basketball is simply mindboggling. Keep in mind he probably jumps about 3-4 inches higher without the ball. A 44 inch vertical is very true for MJ.

Vince was a better dunker, but it is clear he just doesn't get up as high as MJ did. MJ probably has the 2rd or 3rd biggest Vertical in NBA history, you mix that with being the most skilled player ever, while having a 6'6 body and freakish speed. Is the recipe for the GOAT.

[50inchvertical]

Yes. Easily. And so could have Carter.
However, in terms of foul line dunking both were not on the level of White. But to do a simple two handed dunk from the foul line wouldn't have been too much ofa problem for both of them.
Bullshit. If they could do it, they would have. And Vince wasn't even close (close being at least having your foot touch the line) on that 2 hand dunk. He was considerably inside the line. The closest I have seen him come to an FT line dunk was when he did in the McD's High School Contest (foot on line) and when, in a game against NYK, he took off as the buzzer was about to sound from just a bit inside it.

[Thescore53]

Yes. Easily. And so could have Carter.
However, in terms of foul line dunking both were not on the level of White. But to do a simple two handed dunk from the foul line wouldn't have been too much ofa problem for both of them.


:wtf: i wouldnt say easily. its a pretty hard dunk to pull off.

[O.J A 6'4Mamba]

Bullshit. If they could do it, they would have. And Vince wasn't even close (close being at least having your foot touch the line) on that 2 hand dunk. He was considerably inside the line. The closest I have seen him come to an FT line dunk was when he did in the McD's High School Contest (foot on line) and when, in a game against NYK, he took off as the buzzer was about to sound from just a bit inside it.

Prime MJ could take of like a rocket from the FT line. the 85 contest he was clearly behind the line when he dunked it. Jordan got so high that he kept going after he dunked the ball. I wouldn't doubt if Jordan has gotten maybe foot or 2 behind the line at his best attempt.


Mike Conley Sr is the only person I have seen do a FT line dunk two handed and he hung on the rim after.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29TixSRcEA4 last dunk

[jstern]

Prime MJ could take of like a rocket from the FT line. the 85 contest he was clearly behind the line when he dunked it. Jordan got so high that he kept going after he dunked the ball. I wouldn't doubt if Jordan has gotten maybe foot or 2 behind the line at his best attempt.


Mike Conley Sr is the only person I have seen do a FT line dunk two handed and he hung on the rim after.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29TixSRcEA4 last dunk
That

[OldSchoolBBall]

MJ's vert was 41-43", maybe 44" max. Definitely not 48".

[Swaggin916]

[QUOTE=jstern]Vince Carter is the greatest dunker of all time, but it

[50inchvertical]

Prime MJ could take of like a rocket from the FT line. the 85 contest he was clearly behind the line when he dunked it. Jordan got so high that he kept going after he dunked the ball. I wouldn't doubt if Jordan has gotten maybe foot or 2 behind the line at his best attempt.


Mike Conley Sr is the only person I have seen do a FT line dunk two handed and he hung on the rim after.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29TixSRcEA4 last dunk
Wouldn't doubt =/= can or did do something

And James White takes off further than MJ, even on his ft line variations when he adds another element (between the legs, windmill, 2 hand double pump, or LeBron-esque reach back) to it.

[beermonsteroo]

Bullshit. If they could do it, they would have. And Vince wasn't even close (close being at least having your foot touch the line) on that 2 hand dunk. He was considerably inside the line. The closest I have seen him come to an FT line dunk was when he did in the McD's High School Contest (foot on line) and when, in a game against NYK, he took off as the buzzer was about to sound from just a bit inside it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn3e07yHCTM

Come on. Look at those dunks and tell me he couldn't have done it if he realy tried and trained.

[Calabis]

Well the NBA measures two different verts, without the ball


example below

Best no-step vertical: Patrick Ewing- 35 inches
Best Max-Step Vertical: O.J. Mayo- 42 inches (tied with Ewing)

Not hard to believe Jordan had a 41 inch no step, which increased to 48 on the max

Ewing increased 7 inches with the couple steps they allow, Mayo more

[KenneBell]

MJ's vert was 41-43", maybe 44" max. Definitely not 48".
At least someone can be realistic in here.

[New York Knicks]

MJ's vert was 41-43", maybe 44" max. Definitely not 48".
This. Like I've said before. I doubt anyone in the history of the NBA has ever jumped higher Nate Robinson and he registered a 43.5" max vert at the pre-draft. I think Carter had the same measurement at the pre-draft. That's why I'm amused when people think guys like Kobe Bryant who are flashy dunkers but not elite leapers had 40-inch verticals. GTFO. His max was somewhere in the 36-38 range.

[theaussieguy]

This. Like I've said before. I doubt anyone in the history of the NBA has ever jumped higher Nate Robinson and he registered a 43.5" max vert at the pre-draft. I think Carter had the same measurement at the pre-draft. That's why I'm amused when people think guys like Kobe Bryant who are flashy dunkers but not elite leapers had 40-inch verticals. GTFO. His max was somewhere in the 36-38 range.


umm shannon brown's is 44.5 inches. Make sure your correct yourself before you start bashing others for being incorrect

[step_back]

At least someone can be realistic in here.

try reading the whole thread, most posters have said the exact same thing.

[Ikill]

if mj had a 48 inch vert that means his head would be 6 inches above the rim i doubt at best his vertical is 43 but i'm guessing more 41 or 42

[Calabis]

if mj had a 48 inch vert that means his head would be 6 inches above the rim i doubt at best his vertical is 43 but i'm guessing more 41 or 42

His chin to the top of his head close to 6 inches, I'm sure he could get his chin on the rim without the ball

[50inchvertical]

If you guys think Jordan had a 48 inch vertical, James White would have to be in the 50's.

[jstern]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn3e07yHCTM

Come on. Look at those dunks and tell me he couldn't have done it if he realy tried and trained.

This is Vince Carter, I'm sure he trained beyond what was possible. It might not look like much, but even 8 inches is very significant. Will power just ain't going to cut it, and I'm sure Vince wasn't lazy one bit when it came to training for jumping.