- MJ Slam

First Impressions
Released in 2000, the AMF MJ Slam is the crowning finish to AMF's Michael Jordan signature series. After the series started out with polyester balls (like the Basketball) and moderate urethane models, the "Slam" was conceived as a true performance piece for ambitious bowlers. Visually, the ball impresses with an elegant, deep black finish that was often decorated with the iconic "Jumpman" logo or a striking MJ signature in gold or silver. Technically, it marks the transition into the new millennium: it features a genuine reactive resin shell that generates considerably more friction than the earlier entries in the series. Inside works a modified, dynamic core that offers far more flare potential than the simple pancake block of the original entry-level MJ model.
Comparison
Within the Michael Jordan line, the "Slam" is the powerhouse. While the MJ Basketball was a pure straight-ahead ball and the MJ MVP (1998) was regarded as a controlled reactive ball for medium conditions, the Slam was developed for more backend action. Compared to AMF's flagships of the day, such as the "Night Hawk" series, the MJ Slam is somewhat more controllable through the midlane, but shows a reaction at the breakpoint that lives up to its name — it literally "slams" into the pins. Set against competing products of that era, like the Storm Eraser, the MJ Slam offers a similar mix of controlled length and a strong entry angle, while its special core often keeps a very stable roll phase.
On the Lanes
These days, the AMF MJ Slam is an excellent benchmark ball if you play typical house shots (THS). By modern standards its reactive shell sits in the mid-performance range, which makes it ideal when the lanes start to dry up and the latest high-performance monsters react too early. It lets you play a smooth line without the ball hooking unpredictably at the end of the lane. For collectors, it is also the most technically accomplished piece of the MJ collaboration. On extremely heavy oil, though, it reaches its limits, since the shell chemistry of the early 2000s doesn't have the pore depth of modern "oil eaters," which can lead to excessive skid when there's too much volume.