Michael Jordan is a global icon and revolutionized the NBA during the 90s. He won six NBA championships with the Bulls during his time and constantly gets GOAT shouts from many. Jordan’s ability to change the game by himself mesmerized everyone around the globe, helped in making the NBA a global sports league.

Legends such as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird played a pivotal role in popularizing the NBA throughout the US and the world. Basketball quickly became a global sport, with many youngsters trying to make it into a professional career. However, Jordan took the NBA from there and made it more popular. Jordan’s dunks and his high-flying layups became famous around the globe and he was idolized by many.

Jordan’s impact on the NBA wasn’t just restricted to the game, but he even paved way for the league’s commercial success. Many former and current NBA stars feel Jordan is the greatest player of all time in basketball. Charles Barkley recently admitted that Jordan took the NBA and its commercial success to a different level.

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Charles Barkley feels Michael Jordan took the NBA to a different level

Former NBA star Charles Barkley recently appeared in ‘The Steam Room’ podcast. During the podcast, he talked about Jordan’s contribution to the commercial success of the NBA.

“I always tell people, Michael Jordan is the reason we’re all making this money. It started with Magic Johnson, Larry Bird. These two guys, I’ve always said, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird saved NBA,” Barkley said on the podcast.

When Magic and Bird came in, things started to change. Then Michael took it to a whole another level.

Indeed, Jordan’s impact on the NBA was huge. In fact, Jordan revolutionized the sneaker business in the NBA. Earlier, Converse was among the most popular brands in the sneaker business in the NBA. However, Jordan changed the whole sneaker landscape in the NBA. The Air Jordans are now the de facto sneakers for basketball.

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Even after 19 years of his retirement, the Air Jordan is one of the most popular sneakers in the world.