An unknown conversation and potential argument between NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and NBA legend Allen Iverson has finally broken out in public. Although many NBA fans view Jordan as the greatest player of all time, Iverson deserves to have some recognition as one of the most skilled NBA players ever.
While Iverson never won an NBA championship, he put together a fantastic rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Iverson, while facing Jordan’s Chicago Bulls on March 12, 1997, put on an epic crossover move that left Jordan shuffling in his shoes.
Not many fans know, though, know how Jordan felt about it at the time. Iverson recently chatted with former NFL star Shannon Sharpe on an episode Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast. Iverson spoke out about this moment and the inadvertent consequences.
Does Michael Jordan Hate Allen Iverson for Iverson’s Memorable Crossover?
Iverson’s crossover move on Jordan is etched as a part of NBA lore. During Iverson’s interview with Sharpe, he finally revealed and discussed what he was thinking at the time.
“This that young boy s***, you know what I mean,” Iverson said. “You ain’t seen nothing like this…And then I heard (former Chicago Bulls coach) Phil Jackson call him out. He called him out on the switch. Now I’m going to try my move on the best person that I’ve ever seen play the game. Now I’m going to see if this move is real. And now I’m like, ‘Oh s***’, and the craziest part is I didn’t know what I did until ESPN and everybody else talking about it. I hit him with that thang.”
Iverson could have made it look like he was planning to hit Jordan with that move all along. But he revealed to Sharpe that he initially had no idea his move was that impressive. Jordan may have been stunned and frustrated with letting Iverson get the better of him. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 108-104, turning Iverson’s move into simply a highlight.
Jordan, though, a six-time NBA champion, continues to hold a small grudge against Iverson for adding a significant blemish to Jordan’s legendary career.
“I went to a Charlotte Hornets game, and he had me come in, and we in the back, and me and him just sitting back and drinking and reminiscing or whatever, and I was like, ‘Man, I love you, man,’” Iverson told Sharpe. “And he was like, ‘You don’t love me, you lil b****. You wouldn’t have crossed me up like that if you did.’ Everybody in the room just bust out laughing, man. It was crazy.”
Jordan was owner of the Hornets’ franchise at one time, selling it in August 2023. Some fans might be surprised to hear that Jordan was unwilling to let go of Iverson’s crossover moment. Jordan is still competitive even years after his NBA playing career ended.
Of course, it’s a little humorous to hear Iverson talk about his moment with Jordan years later. But NBA fans might wonder if the friendly relationship between Iverson and Jordan continues to this day.
