You’ve seen the photo. It is arguably the most famous image in sports history: Michael Jordan, suspended in mid-air, legs splayed like he’s walking on clouds, the ball cocked back in his right hand. He looks less like a basketball player and more like a glitch in the simulation of gravity.
That single moment from the michael jordan all star dunk contest runs in 1987 and 1988 didn't just win him a couple of trophies. It basically birthed the modern NBA.
But honestly? If you look at the actual tape, the story is a lot messier than the posters suggest. Between the "home cooking" judging in Chicago, the sneaker controversies that almost got him fined into oblivion, and the fact that he actually lost his first attempt at the crown, there is a whole lot of nuance people tend to gloss over when they talk about MJ’s dunking legacy.
The 1985 "Freeze-Out" and the Loss to Dominique
Most people forget Jordan didn't win his first one. In 1985, as a rookie in Indianapolis, he walked into the gym wearing gold chains and a red-and-black Nike warm-up suit. He looked like he owned the place.
Dominique Wilkins, the "Human Highlight Film," had other plans.
Wilkins was a power dunker. While Jordan glided, Dominique attacked the rim like it owed him money. In the finals, Jordan pulled out a beautiful sideways cradle dunk that earned him a 49, but Dominique countered with a two-handed windmill that was so violent the backboard was still shaking when they went to commercial.
Jordan finished second.
To make matters worse, that weekend was the infamous "freeze-out." Rumor has it that veterans like Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson were so annoyed by the rookie’s "arrogance"—specifically him wearing those gold chains during the dunk contest—that they refused to pass him the ball during the actual All-Star Game the next day.
Jordan ended the weekend with a silver medal and a chip on his shoulder the size of a Cadillac.
1987: The "Kiss the Rim" Show in Seattle
Jordan missed the 1986 contest due to a broken foot, so by 1987, the hype was reaching a fever pitch. He was back, and this time, he was essentially a one-man marketing machine for the Air Jordan II.
The 1987 michael jordan all star dunk contest performance was where we saw the "Kiss the Rim" dunk.
He didn't actually kiss it, obviously. But he got so high that his face was level with the iron before he tucked the ball under and reverse-windmilled it. It was graceful. It was surgical.
He beat Jerome Kersey in the finals, but the real showdown everyone wanted—a rematch with Dominique—didn't happen because Wilkins was out with an injury. It felt a little like a heavyweight title fight where the challenger didn't show up. Jordan won his first trophy, but he knew the "True King of the Air" title was still up for debate.
The 1988 Chicago Duel: Pure "Home Cooking"?
This is the big one. The 1988 Slam Dunk Contest in Chicago Stadium.
If you ask anyone from Atlanta, they’ll tell you Dominique Wilkins was robbed. If you ask anyone from Chicago, they'll tell you it was destiny.
The atmosphere was electric. The judges' table was stacked with Chicago legends, including Bears great Gale Sayers. Jordan and Nique were trading haymakers.
- The First Round: They were both perfect. 50s all around.
- The Second Dunk: Wilkins hits a ferocious windmill. 50. Jordan misses his first attempt at a 360, gets a second chance (the rules back then were weirdly lenient), and hits a sideline lean-in dunk. The judges gave him a 47.
- The Final Frame: Dominique went first. He hit a two-handed windmill from the baseline. It was powerful, clean, and honestly, better than some of his 50s from earlier in the night.
The judges gave him a 45.
The stadium went silent for a split second before a chorus of boos rained down. A 45? For that? It was a low-ball score that meant Jordan only needed a 49 to win.
The Free-Throw Line Myth
Jordan knew he needed something historic. He looked into the crowd and saw Julius "Dr. J" Erving. Erving gestured to the other end of the floor—the universal sign for "go the distance."
Jordan started from the far baseline. He sprinted. He took off from the stripe (okay, maybe an inch inside the line, but let’s not be pedantic).
He stayed in the air for what felt like four business days.
The judges gave him a 50. He won by two points.
Years later, Jordan supposedly told Dominique, "Hey, you know you won. We’re in Chicago. What do you want me to do?"
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Why the Michael Jordan All Star Dunk Contest Actually Mattered
It wasn’t just about the trophy. The 1988 contest was the debut of the Air Jordan III.
Think about that. The most iconic sneaker of all time, the one with the elephant print and the first-ever "Jumpman" logo, made its world debut on the feet of a guy flying from the free-throw line.
Nike couldn't have scripted a better commercial. It turned the All-Star Weekend into a multi-billion dollar sneaker launchpad. Before 1988, sneakers were just gear. After Jordan’s dunk contest wins, they were artifacts.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the history of the michael jordan all star dunk contest or want to own a piece of it, here is what you need to know:
- Watch the Uncut Tapes: Don't just watch the 30-second highlights. Go to YouTube and find the full 1988 broadcast. You’ll see the misses, the long breaks, and the awkward judging that the highlights skip.
- Track the Sneaker History: If you're a collector, the 1988 "White Cement" Jordan 3 is the holy grail because of this event. Look for the "Reimagined" series or versions with the "Nike Air" on the heel to stay true to what MJ actually wore on the court.
- Understand the Scoring: Modern dunk contests use a different scale. Back then, "creativity" was simpler—it was all about the hang time and the raw athleticism. Comparing Mac McClung to Michael Jordan is like comparing a drone to a Spitfire; they're both flying, but the mechanics are totally different.
The 1988 duel remains the gold standard because it featured two actual superstars at the height of their powers. Today, the big names often skip the contest to avoid injury or "protect their brand." Jordan and Wilkins didn't care about that. They just wanted to prove who owned the sky.
Pro-Tip: If you ever find yourself in a debate about who the greatest dunker of all time is, remember that Jordan’s 1988 win is the only one where the "losing" performance is arguably just as famous as the winning one. Context is everything.