“My childhood dream was to be like these two! I tried my best jack!” Last year, on his Instagram, Allen Iverson uploaded a collage of photos along with two MJs. The Philadelphia 76ers legend idolized Michael Jackson and Michael Jordan and even gave the latter a hard time on the court. One such instance was the famous crossover, and apparently, AI had even planned for it a long time ago.

“I told my friends beforehand, I told my teammates at Georgetown, if I ever got a chance to try it on the greatest player ever, I was going to, you know, put my move to the test,” Allen Iverson said on Sotheby’s. In his rookie season, Iverson was confident that he would be able to pull it off against Michael Jordan and informed in advance to his family and college teammates at Georgetown. Further, he added, “And obviously, I did. It’s legendary, and it’s been a big deal, you know what I mean? And people will talk about it.”

It must have been difficult for Jordan to forget the night of March 12, 1997, in Philadelphia, as Iverson gave him a lesson in dribbling artistry. At that time, Iverson was just 21 years old and was trying to make a name for himself in the Association and he did manage to etch his iconic move in the NBA viewers’ minds with his double-crossover. Though the Bulls won 108-104 with Jordan scoring 23 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals, Iverson put up 37 points with 15-of-23 from the field.

While speaking to Sotheby’s, AI also spoke about the highlight still being a topic of discussion today. “A certain highlight will come on ESPN one night and somebody will see it. And then it’s outta their memory, you know, forever. And it’s on to the next person that I do it to. But you know, obviously from ’96, ’97, people still talking about it in 2024. You know, it had to affect a lot of people,” said Allen Iverson. In fact, the video was uploaded to the NBA’s YouTube channel back in 2007 and is closing on 10 million views.

Previously, Iverson stated that he doesn’t remember the aftermath of the move at that moment, but remembers speaking to his family and friends beforehand on the Knuckleheads Podcast in May this year.” If I ever got a chance, if he ever guarded me, that I was going to try my move on the greatest player to ever play.” The 11x All-Star also gave the credit to Michael Jordan for almost blocking his shot, which not many could do.

Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan

“If I do that to anybody else, they’re way out of the picture. They don’t even get a chance to put a hand up. And on that play, he still missed it by this much,” AI added. If you think about how would Michael Jordan react to Allen Iverson if they met, let’s just say His Airness never forgets.

Years later, Michael Jordan gives Allen Iverson a hard time

While speaking with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, earlier this year, the 2001 MVP mentioned that he would still get “nervous” while FaceTiming Michael Jordan. AI said, “I would be nervous. I don’t know what to say sometimes.” On the Knuckleheads Podcast in another segment, AI also spoke about the Bulls legend guilt-tripping him about the famous crossover.

The 4x Scoring Champion once went to a Charlotte Hornets game. It was during the time when Michael Jordan was the majority owner of the franchise. So, obviously, both of them spoke about the glory days and Iverson even expressed his admiration for his idol. But MJ had a witty response and even recalled the 1997 move.

“‘Man, I love you, man.’ 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,” recalled Iverson. A typical trash-talking Michael Jordan moment that Allen Iverson cherished. Just like the crossover that is still talked about 27 years later.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.