Intro
Sports photography truly embodies the philosophy that every photo contains a story. Many of the greatest tell the tale of success, failure, anger, and sometimes the legacy of a player or team. I love sports photography because it reveals some of our most famous sports stories with just one picture.
And no story or legacy is more iconic than that of the NBA legend Michael Jordan. While other players might have had better stats, or career accolades, we will never match the level of iconic ness or popularity that Michael had in his prime. During the 90s, Micheal Jordan was the most famous person alive at the time, throughout the world. He was unstoppable, unguardable, and could not lose. As time passes, his legacy will only grow bigger and bigger as we view the great moments with more nostalgia than anything. No photo best represents this than the picture up above.
Background
There’s only one Michael Jordan.
-Michael Jordan
The photo itself is taken during the 1988 dunk contest in Chicago. Michael Jordan was now in his fourth year in the NBA and had made a name for himself as one of the best players in the NBA. Jordan had already won last year’s dunk contest, but this year he was facing a challenging competitor Dominique Wilkins. The contest was what many called a heavyweight showdown between the two. But for his last dunk, Micheal jumped from the free-throw line to make the most iconic dunk in arguably NBA history as he soared through the air to slam the ball into the hoop.
Michel Jordan would earn a perfect 50 score, which would help him edge out Dominique Wilkins with a score of 147-145 to win that year’s dunk contest.
Legacy
Looking back at Michael Jordan’s dunk now, it may not have ever deserved that score, and many will use it against him. In fact, according to SBnation, in an article that readjusts the score of all 86 perfect scores, they put the score at 46. This is why I love this photo because it is a perfect representation of Jordan’s legacy. A man who was on top of the world, a man who lived on this mythical level in the minds of many. He was unmatched by any other player of his time and after his time. There might be players that put up better stats or win more championships, but one thing none of these players will ever match Jordan is his sure popularity and iconic legacy. Even though we might think more fondly and more blindly of Michael Jordan’s legacy than what it was. In his height, Michael Jordan was a god among us mortals to witness him. And, like in the photo, Jordan could defy gravity and fly for a second.
Stay tuned to the Roundup for more of the “A Photo I like” series!