NBA legend Allen “The Answer” Iverson is one of the most talented and tenacious players the league ever saw. Right from the start of his career, Iverson considered the great Michael Jordan as his idol. The Philadelphia 76ers legend even called MJ a superhero, once upon a time. In his rookie season back in 1997, AI famously pulled off a cross-up on Jordan, a skill that got him immediate worldwide attention.
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Despite his short 6 feet stature, Iverson was an intimidating competitor who wasn’t afraid to take on anyone. Even Shaquille O’Neal, known for his physical prowess, once claimed that he “couldn’t punk Iverson”.
AI claimed kids recognize him for his cross-up on Michael Jordan
Iverson might have never won the championship. However, he was the 2001 NBA MVP and one of the most highly-rated two-way players the league ever saw.
Regardless, despite his glorious achievement, AI revealed on the Stephen Colbert show that it was his cross-up that got him worldwide attention, according to a video posted by _clutchtime. Iverson revealed that he didn’t pay attention to the skill during the game. However, he received extraordinary attention once the match got over:
“It was definitely one of them. I I didn’t really pay any attention to it until the aftermath of it all. You know what I mean? Once I got the response from everybody else worldwide. You know, how many times they showed it on ESPN and still today. Like little kids, 5 and 6 years old, come up to me and they don’t say, “Are you Allen Iverson.” They say, “Youre the guy that crossed up Michael Jordan.”
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Iverson top-scored in the March 17, 1997 game despite his team losing out, according to Basketball Reference. Chicago Bulls eventually went on to win the championship, with MJ posting 23 points during the match. Regardless, the rookie AI had done enough to cement his high-profile credentials.
Allen Iverson cried when Detroit Pistons defeated Chicago Bulls
Long before MJ won 6 championships, he was busy dealing with the bad boys of the Detroit Pistons. Back in 1989, the two teams went at each other in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Pistons boasted of the likes of Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas, and Bill Laimbeer. They dominated the Bulls and went on to win the championship.
Allen Iverson revealed that he cried when he saw his idol getting beaten by AI’s team. Iverson revealed that he watched the game on his mom’s TV, and was aghast when he saw MJ lose out.
