Michael Jordan eventually bulked up so that he could overcome the Detroit Pistons’ physical play.

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan was one of the first players to rock the popular short shorts during the 80’s. When MJ entered the NBA, the young superstar did not like the length of the shorts the players wore during games.

According to Nike shoe designer Peter Moore, Jordan kept complaining about the team uniforms, and almost every time they conversed, he would keep talking about the short shorts in the NBA.

“Michael was always on me about the shorts,” Moore said via Hoopshype. “‘I want the shorts longer’, he said, ‘I got skinny legs.’ That was his deal.”

Mike was skinny when he first arrived in the NBA

Many remember Michael Jordan as a strong and dominant post-player. But when he entered the league, MJ was a skinny 6’6″ guard who weighed around 195 pounds. However, he didn’t need the extra muscles at that stage of his career. MJ was lanky, but he was athletic and graceful in his moves.

Jordan also had one of the highest running vertical leaps of any player in NBA history at 48 inches. This leaping ability and seeming ability to suspend himself in midair gave rise to the’ Air Jordan’ moniker.

“Michael, your calf muscles are what allow you to jump as high as you jump,” Moore told him. “What do you mean? Those legs allow you to jump this high above the rim. I wouldn’t worry about those legs. They look just fine.’ He was unbelievably self-conscious about it.”

MJ also preferred baggy clothes off the court

Not only was young MJ conscious about how he looked on the court, but he was also very particular about how he dressed when he was away from the hardwood. According to a story from Andscape, Jordan got his clothing from the Chicago-based Italian luxury brand Burdi Clothing.

Mike preferred a bigger and extra-long jacket because he was self-conscious about the shorter jackets that constantly made him yank down. He also loved wearing wide-legged pants because he felt his slender legs were not proportionate to his large feet.

Despite all the adulation, MJ was an ordinary human being who had his own insecurities. Early in his career, it was his skinny legs that he always tried to hide. As he grew older, Jordan eventually bulked up as he needed the extra muscle to overcome the physical play of the Detroit Pistons and become an NBA champion.