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Air Jordan

Short answer: Michael Jordan won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1987 and again on February 6, 1988, at Chicago Stadium. In 1988, he closed with a dunk from the free-throw line that earned a perfect 50 and edged out Dominique Wilkins, a result that's still debated.

The dunk wasn't new. Julius Erving won the first-ever dunk contest, at the 1976 ABA All-Star Game, with a free-throw-line dunk, and Jordan had tried one in the 1985 contest. Both Jordan and Erving have said Erving suggested the 1988 attempt from the stands. 'Air Jordan' was also the name of Nike's Jordan signature shoe, launched in 1985.

VideoWrite-up6 sources

In collections:Persons of Interest

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What should you know about Air Jordan?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Julius Erving won the first dunk contest, in 1976, with a free-throw-line dunk.

    DD-713-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (The original)

  2. Jordan won the NBA dunk contest in 1987 and 1988.

    DD-713-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Jordan's contests)

Video transcript: Air Jordan: Takeoff From the Free-Throw Line

DID YOU KNOW? Michael Jordan's iconic free throw line dunk, first performed during the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, became one of the most famous moments in basketball history. Taking off just inside the free throw line, Jordan used his speed, hang time, and explosive leg power to glide through the air before slamming the ball home, making the leap look almost effortless. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 20.1s Reel ·

Video coming soonAir Jordan · Instagram Reel
Air Jordan: Takeoff From the Free-Throw Line Instagram Reel · · 20.1s

The write-up

Takeoff from the free-throw line. Michael Jordan's 1988 dunk sealed his second straight contest title.

  1. Exhibit A

    The original

    At the first-ever dunk contest, held at the ABA All-Star Game in Denver on January 27, 1976, Julius 'Dr. J' Erving took off from the free-throw line and won.

  2. Exhibit B

    Jordan's contests

    A rookie Jordan dunked from the free-throw line in 1985 but lost to Dominique Wilkins. He won the contest in 1987 in Seattle and in 1988 in Chicago.

  3. Exhibit C

    February 6, 1988

    Trailing Wilkins in front of a home crowd, Jordan ran the length of the floor and took off from the line. He scored a perfect 50 and won, though some still dispute the judging.

  4. Exhibit D

    Dr. J's suggestion

    Erving says he was sitting courtside and suggested the foul-line dunk, and Jordan told reporters the same night that Erving had signaled him to try it.

  5. Exhibit E

    On or behind the line?

    In the NBC Sports Chicago oral history, one observer recalls Jordan's takeoff foot crossing over the line, which doesn't matter under the contest rules.

Questions people ask about Air Jordan

Who won the first dunk contest, in 1976, with a free-throw-line dunk?

Julius 'Dr. J' Erving, at the ABA All-Star Game.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (The original) · NBA.com: Looking back at 5 memorable Dunk Contest showdowns; InsideHook: Dr. J interview on the first slam dunk contest

Which two years did Jordan win the NBA dunk contest?

1987 and 1988.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Jordan's contests) · NBA.com: Looking back at 5 memorable Dunk Contest showdowns; NBA.com: NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest winners

Who was Jordan's main rival in the 1988 contest?

Dominique Wilkins.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (February 6, 1988) · NBC Sports Chicago: An oral history of the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk contest; NBA.com: Looking back at 5 memorable Dunk Contest showdowns

What score did Jordan's final 1988 dunk get?

A perfect 50.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (February 6, 1988) · NBC Sports Chicago: An oral history of the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk contest; NBA.com: Looking back at 5 memorable Dunk Contest showdowns

Where was the 1988 contest held?

Chicago Stadium.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (February 6, 1988) · NBC Sports Chicago: An oral history of the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk contest; NBA.com: Looking back at 5 memorable Dunk Contest showdowns

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Who won the first dunk contest, in 1976, with a free-throw-line dunk?

    1. Julius Erving
    2. Larry Nance
    3. Spud Webb
    4. Dominique Wilkins
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Julius Erving Julius 'Dr. J' Erving, at the ABA All-Star Game. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (The original) · NBA.com: Looking back at 5 memorable Dunk Contest showdowns; InsideHook: Dr. J interview on the first slam dunk contest

  2. Which two years did Jordan win the NBA dunk contest?

    1. 1985 and 1986
    2. 1987 and 1988
    3. 1988 and 1989
    4. 1990 and 1991
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. 1987 and 1988 1987 and 1988. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Jordan's contests) · NBA.com: Looking back at 5 memorable Dunk Contest showdowns; NBA.com: NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest winners

  3. Who was Jordan's main rival in the 1988 contest?

    1. Dominique Wilkins
    2. Magic Johnson
    3. Larry Bird
    4. Clyde Drexler
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Dominique Wilkins Dominique Wilkins. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (February 6, 1988) · NBC Sports Chicago: An oral history of the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk contest; NBA.com: Looking back at 5 memorable Dunk Contest showdowns

  4. What score did Jordan's final 1988 dunk get?

    1. 45
    2. 48
    3. 49
    4. 50
    Show the answer

    Answer: D. 50 A perfect 50. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (February 6, 1988) · NBC Sports Chicago: An oral history of the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk contest; NBA.com: Looking back at 5 memorable Dunk Contest showdowns

  5. Where was the 1988 contest held?

    1. Chicago Stadium
    2. Madison Square Garden
    3. The Forum
    4. Boston Garden
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Chicago Stadium Chicago Stadium. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (February 6, 1988) · NBC Sports Chicago: An oral history of the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk contest; NBA.com: Looking back at 5 memorable Dunk Contest showdowns

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Air Jordan." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-713, last updated Apr 24, 2026. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/air-jordan/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/air-jordan/ · Last updated

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