# Air Jordan (DD-713) > 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. - Department: People (also History) - First published: 2026-04-24 - Last updated: 2026-04-24 - Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/air-jordan/ - Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department ## Status as of Oct. 18, 2026 Retired from playing (his last NBA game was in 2003). He sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets on August 3, 2023, and remains a minority owner and the team's alternate governor. He co-owns the NASCAR Cup team 23XI Racing with Denny Hamlin, which won the 2026 Daytona 500 with Tyler Reddick. ## On the timeline - **Jan. 27, 1976**: Julius Erving wins the first dunk contest with a free-throw-line dunk - **1987**: Michael Jordan wins his first NBA Slam Dunk Contest - **Feb. 6, 1988**: Michael Jordan's free-throw-line dunk wins the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in Chicago Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=air-jordan ## Quick facts - **DD-713-F01**: Julius Erving won the first dunk contest, in 1976, with a free-throw-line dunk. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (The original))_ - **DD-713-F02**: Jordan won the NBA dunk contest in 1987 and 1988. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Jordan's contests))_ ## Write-up Takeoff from the free-throw line. Michael Jordan's 1988 dunk sealed his second straight contest title. 1. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. ## Related case files - [Rick Charls (DD-742)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/rick-charls/): Another Persons of Interest profile of an athlete's famous leap - [Kenny POWERs (DD-740)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/kenny-powers/): Another Persons of Interest profile built around a famous jump - [Tyler, The Creator (DD-207)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/tyler-the-creator/): I linked more pop culture ## Reel vs. record - **Not the first**: Julius Erving did a free-throw-line dunk to win the first dunk contest, at the 1976 ABA All-Star Game. Jordan had also tried one in the 1985 contest. - **Missing context**: Erving suggested the 1988 dunk from the stands, according to both men. - **Missing context**: it was Jordan's second straight title (1987, 1988), and his 50 on the final dunk to beat Dominique Wilkins is still debated. - **Precision**: observers recall his takeoff foot on or over the line, not 'just inside' it (NBC Sports Chicago oral history). - **Missing context**: 'Air Jordan' is also the name of Nike's Jordan signature shoe line, launched in 1985. ## Video: Air Jordan: Takeoff From the Free-Throw Line - Duration: 20.1 s · Published: 2026-04-24 - File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DXhfYymke7p.mp4 ### Transcript 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! ## Questions & answers **Q: Who won the first dunk contest, in 1976, with a free-throw-line dunk?** A: 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)_ **Q: Which two years did Jordan win the NBA dunk contest?** A: 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)_ **Q: Who was Jordan's main rival in the 1988 contest?** A: 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)_ **Q: What score did Jordan's final 1988 dunk get?** A: 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)_ **Q: Where was the 1988 contest held?** A: 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)_ ## Sources - [NBA.com: Looking back at 5 memorable Dunk Contest showdowns](https://www.nba.com/news/looking-back-5-memorable-dunk-contests) - [NBA.com: NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest winners](https://www.nba.com/news/history-slam-dunk-contest) - [NBC Sports Chicago: An oral history of the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk contest](https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nba/chicago-bulls/michael-jordan-vs-dominique-wilkins-an-oral-history-of-the-1988-nba-slam-dunk-contest/361865/) - [InsideHook: Dr. J interview on the first slam dunk contest](https://www.insidehook.com/sports/julius-dr-j-erving-interview) - [Charlotte Hornets: Front Office (Michael Jordan, Alternate Governor)](https://www.nba.com/hornets/front-office) - [USA Today (Feb 16, 2026): What NASCAR team does Michael Jordan own?](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2026/02/16/michael-jordan-daytona-500-nascar-23xi-owner/88700652007/) ## 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/