via Getty
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Michael Jordan (L) of the Chicago Bulls smiles while standing next to Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz 07 June in the first half of game three of the NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The seven game series is tied at 1-1. AFP PHOTO Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
via Getty
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Michael Jordan (L) of the Chicago Bulls smiles while standing next to Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz 07 June in the first half of game three of the NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The seven game series is tied at 1-1. AFP PHOTO Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
NBA legend Michael Jordan was not the tallest growing up. No one in his family was close to 6 feet. His father James R. Jordan Sr. was 5’9″, his mother Deloris was 5’5″, and his tallest brother Larry was 5’8″. During his childhood, MJ wanted to grow tall so that it can help him with basketball. When his friend made the varsity team and he didn’t, the young Jordan was unhappy with his relatively short stature at the time. However, a mind-boggling growth spurt helped his cause as he touched 6’6″.
With the sudden growth spurt, Jordan required some time to adjust his skills to his size. Once he did that, he became one of the best high school players in the country.
Is Michael Jordan as tall as Karl Malone?
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Michael Jordan is one of few in the NBA world who have beat the odds of genetics when it comes to their height. Even though no one in his family was 6 feet tall, Jordan reached 6’6″. The six-time champion has multiple times joked about this. While he is listed at 6’6″, a resurfaced picture of him standing with rival and NBA legend Karl Malone has shocked the fans.
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Even though the power forward is listed as 6’9″, it looks like Jordan was almost as tall as Malone. Fans could not believe their eyes seeing the resurfaced picture. Here are some reactions:
“Malone wasn’t taller?”
“I thought Malone was 6ft 9??….”
“probably Jordan was standing on a higher surface, to make the photo look better”
“NBA lies about the heights a lot especially players when they want to play a certain position”
“It still stings a bit even to this day. When they won in 98 my buddy legit chucked furniture”
“Malone ?This is our year!?
Mike ?Bull!? ??”
“Only a few inch height difference but so far in playing styles!!!”
The fans could not fathom the very little height difference between the two legends. While many argued Malone is not really 6’9″, some suggested Jordan was standing on a higher surface when the picture was taken. On the other hand, some fans recounted the iconic battles between the two.
READ MORE – 71 Year Old NBA Hall of Famer Tries to ?Really Piss off Lakers Fans? With 4 Word Michael Jordan Claim
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Over the years, Jordan and Malone have had some fierce battles during their playing career. Despite his illustrious career, Malone did not win an NBA championship and the Chicago Bulls legend was a huge reason behind it.
The Last Dance
The Utah Jazz was a force in the West in the mid-90s with NBA legends Karl Malone and John Stockton. However, the Chicago Bulls were a huge roadblock for the Jazz. The Jazz made it to two straight finals but unfortunately lost both against Michael Jordan and the star-studded Bulls team.
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Jordan had previously won four titles without needing a game-7 in the Finals and never lost a Finals series. He maintained his Finals record and won both the 1996-97 and 1997-98 Finals against the Jazz 4-2. The five-time MVP’s iconic steal from Malone and then hitting the game-winner in the dying seconds to win his sixth and final title will remain in the hearts of NBA fans forever.
