When the name Michael Jordan is said, what immediately comes to mind is Jordan’s dunks. If you’ve seen any of his dunks, one of the things that he always does is put his tongue out. Although the tongue pose makes for an excellent picture, what really makes his dunks special is his jumping ability, which is powered by his athleticism. It is the athleticism that allows a player to make huge strides at a quick pace.
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While it is common for both NBA players and referees to possess good stamina and fitness to go up and down the court, it is quite rare for NBA referees to possess a level of athleticism similar to an NBA player. One such rare case came to light where the referee looked to possess similar athleticism to that of Michael Jordan. This took NBA fans on Instagram by storm.
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Fans react to the referee running like Jordan
A resurfaced video of MJ was posted on Instagram depicting ‘His Airness’ driving to the rim for a dunk in transition. However, the video was paused at a certain point during Jordan’s dribble to reveal a referee running along the sideline with huge strides similar to Jordan. This athleticism from the referee put fans on Instagram in a frenzy.
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Many fans put forward hilarious comments indicating that the referee was headed for the rim to either block Jordan, or go for a dunk off a lob from MJ.
Furthermore, several others mentioned that the ‘Air Jordan’ logo was actually based on the referee and not Jordan himself.
Additionally, there were fans who tickled the funny bone with comments such as the referee signing a 10-day contract, playing for the struggling Lakers, and even comparing him to the Monopoly man.
Clearly, not only were the fans blown away by the referee’s athleticism, they also put forth their hilarious views on the resurfaced videos. Additionally, the video also depicts the amount of effort it takes on the part of the referees to keep up with the pace of the game. Fitness and athleticism seem to be just as important to a referee as it is to a player.
The Air Jordan Brand
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In light of fans on Instagram reacting to the referee appearing as the Jordan logo, let’s look at what makes the Jordan logo and brand so special. Seeing his potential as a rookie, Nike signed a shoe deal with MJ that included Jordan’s own line of sneakers.
This line of shoes is known as ‘Air Jordan’ and features a logo of Jordan dunking. The brand has become so popular that several athletes in the NBA have signed with the Jordan brand for their own shoe deals. These include stars such as Luka Doncic, Carmelo Anthony, and Russell Westbrook.
Clearly, Jordan’s impact in the NBA is second to none. Even today, fans still associate basketball with Jordan, with many claiming him to be the best ever to play the game. With several iconic moments in the NBA, and a brand that stretches beyond basketball, it is quite evident as to why there are so many who want to ‘be like Mike!’
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READ MORE: “I Always Thought I Would Die Young”: Michael Jordan Once Made a Heartbreaking Revelation
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