LeBron James or Michael Jordan? The question has been a matter of debate since the Los Angeles Lakers? player rose to prominence. While the duo has never faced each other on an NBA Court, their names are linked in a rivalry over who reigns supreme. Fans and supporters of each section fight over who is the best basketball player, with the battle stoked after a former player comes up with his opinions.
A former NBA player has made his voice heard. Only a few months after he revealed his choice, the player prides himself on going against his choice.
Jordan or James? Allen Iverson answers his choice
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Former Philadelphia 76ers player and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson gave an interview a few months for ‘Andscape’. During the discussion, the eleven-time NBA All-Star was asked about who he considered to be the greatest NBA Player – Michael Jordan or LeBron James.
Iverson said that he is not a big fan of the question because he loves both the players and admires their effort for the game of basketball. But he believed that LeBron is the best overall basketball player that will be ever seen by the world.
However, he holds a personal bias towards Jordan because ?Mike was everything? to him. Iverson claims that it was the ‘Black Jesus’ that provided him his vision, the foundation that would make him rise as a prominent basketball player. Even after so many years, the former player admitted that he is left ?starstruck? by him.
While the 76ers legend might have tried to go the diplomatic route with his answer, no one can deny that he made his choice. But while he has the highest praise for Jordan, Iverson is widely renowned for having crossed him in a game, twice.
A rookie Allen Iverson once ?crossed up? Michael Jordan
A few years back, Iverson sat down for an interview with prominent television host Stephen Colbert. Amongst discussing other things, the former player talked about the moment when he crossed up against an all-conquering Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan.
The incident took place in March 1997, when the?Bulls faced off against the?76ers. A then 21-year-old Iverson, a rookie, had the ball in his hand when he came face to face against ‘His Airness’. Tricking Jordan twice, Iverson was able to go past the player and make a shot, which led to the ball passing through the hoop. Iverson?s move that night, the double-crossover, came up to be one of the most iconic moments in NBA history.
Despite Iverson pulling 37 points that night, his team lost to the Bulls by a mere 4 points. Discussing that moment with Colbert, the former player said that he didn?t really pay attention to it at the moment. He didn?t comprehend the significance of what he did until its aftermath. From hearing about it from everybody else worldwide and watching it being repeated on ESPN, Iverson realized what he had pulled off.
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?Still today, little kids like 5 and 6 years old, come up to me and they don?t say ?Are you Allen Iverson?? They say ?You?re the guy that crossed up Michael Jordan?? said Iverson as the audience took in the response.
The interview recently resurfaced after being uploaded on YouTube by ?Clutch Time?. It is a channel that specializes in stories related to basketball.
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It?s not every day that one gets a chance to earn his idol?s respect. By going against Jordan, Iverson would have been successful in getting just that.
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