- LeBron James vertical jump is more than the NBA jargon it sounds
- It is a rare show of skill from the 39-year-old NBA player
- Not much of the Los Angeles Lakers guard has been seen this season
LeBron James vertical jump is more than the NBA jargon it sounds. It is a rare show of skill from the 39-year-old NBA player. Despite his age, James holds stellar records in the league such as the All-time NBA scorer.
Not much of the Los Angeles Lakers guard has been seen this season. The Lakers stand seeded seventh in the Western Conference League. Denver Nuggets sent them packing in the first round of the NBA playoffs 2024, now headed to the NBA Finals.
However, the NBA star from Ohio has some impressive stats on his vertical jump.
WHAT IS LEBRON JAMES VERTICAL JUMP?
A vertical in the NBA is the highest point a player reaches when they jump straight up into the air. It’s also known as a vertical jump. Usually, its measurement is taken in inches focusing on a player’s lower body power and explosiveness.
Thus, LeBron James vertical is 44 inches which is impressively high. An assumption that his height of 6 foot 4 powers his upright jump is not entirely correct. His on-court skills have sharpened his jump over the years.
LeBron James. Photo/Pinterest
You may also wonder, why the vertical is important in basketball. Below are three reasons why it matters.
- Players with a high straight up leap easily over opponents and lay the ball in the hoop or slam it. It is especially crucial for bigger players who frequently operate near the hoop, such as centers and power forwards.
- NBA players with good upright jumps have an advantage over their opponents when grabbing rebounds. They outmuscle taller basketball but less explosive basketball players. They jump higher to retrieve dropped balls.
- Blocking shots close to the hoop is easier for vertically gifted players. Playing against such players gives opponent teams a hard time scoring.
Positioning, foresight, and basketball intelligence are key to using vertical jump effectively in games and maximizing players’ physical capabilities.
DID JORDAN REALLY HAVE A 48 INCH VERTICAL?
LeBron James vertical is high but not the best-ever in the NBA. Michael Jordan’s jump at 48 inches remains the highest ever in basketball history. It is agreeable that he is one of the all-time greatest NBA players Americans ever had. His exceptional athleticism enabled him to make amazing dunks and easy shot blocks thanks to his great upended jump.
Jordan in different interviews attributed his jump to intense training, superb body control, and innate athleticism. He could soar above opponents thanks to his explosive force, agility, and coordination. On many occasions, it seemed as though he was hanging in the air longer than anyone else. This earned him a new nickname “Air Jordan” which American sportswear giant Nike took up in his honour.
WHO HAS THE HIGHEST VERTICAL JUMP IN NBA HISTORY?
Michael Jordan. Photo/Island Life NC
The legendary Jordan holds the highest record for a vertical in the NBA. A combination of factors makes him the undisputed star as far as this jump is concerned. His remarkable hang time (capacity to remain in the air), agility, and strong first step are the recipes of this historical record.
In addition, former NBA player Darrell Griffith ties this record with Jordan. Griffith was extremely athletic during his pro basketball days with Utah Jazz struck a record that he shares with the basketball legend. Jordan made the jump when playing with the Chicago Bulls.
While LeBron James vertical is 44 inches, he scores ninth position in the list of top 10 highest jumps ever recorded. They include the following:
- Michael Jordan – 48 inches
- Darrell Griffith – 48 inches
- Wilt Chamberlain – 48 inches
- Jason Richardson – 46.5 inches
- Zach LaVine – 46 inches
- Anthony Spud Webb – 46 inches
- James White – 46 inches
- Shannon Brown – 44.5 inches
- LeBron James – 44 inches
- Andrew Wiggins – 44 inches
WHAT WAS KOBE BRYANT’S VERTICAL?
The late Kobe Bryant had a straight up jump of 38 inches. Though Kobe was an outstanding player for the Lakers, his leap was suppressed compared to his peers such as James and Jordan. Nevertheless, he was an amazing shooting guard.
CONCLUSION
The straight up jump is an important aspect in the NBA. Players have perfected their leaping skills but none of the current new-generation players come close to Griffith, Jordan and Chamberlain’s 48 inches.
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