“Guy was glowing or something, man,” is how NBA veteran Allen Iverson describes meeting his idol, Michael Jordan, for the first time. For anyone who knows ‘The Answer’, Jordan was like “Black Jesus” to him. However, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft to the Philadelphia 76ers, Iverson didn’t take long before changing his role—he had transformed into a formidable opponent, a headache for MJ and even went down in history books as the only player who pulled off an embarrassing move on the icon.

In his rookie season, the then-21-year-old from Georgetown trying to make a name for himself got a lifetime opportunity against the then 3x NBA Champion. It was March 12, 1997, when the 76ers clashed with the Chicago Bulls. While the latter won the match 108-104, with Jordan contributing 23 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals, it was Iverson who had the last laugh. In a never-seen-before moment, the rookie became the first player to crossover on His Airness. 

Not once, but twice.

After the game, the stunned Jordan had only two words to describe “the little guy’s”—Iverson stands at 6-foot, which is traditionally short for an NBA player—move: “Very quick.” And as expected, the world still hasn’t forgotten the incident 27 years later. And neither has the two-time Olympic gold medalist. But before we get to that…

Till date, Iverson has never let that iconic day get to his head. In fact, during a conversation with Sotheby’s on October 9, he revealed how Michael Jordan had the upper hand even when the rookie was busting out his best moves. “If you look at that play, and you really pay attention to it, like basketball players do, and real basketball fans, you see that he’s still almost blocking. After me doing that move to him. 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,” Iverson said.

On the court too, the 6x NBA Finals MVP got his sweet revenge. The duo met again in 1998 in Philadelphia and Iverson attempted to pull off the same tactic. But this time the opponent was ready and fuming—Iverson attempted a crossover, but Jordan got his hand on the ball, and knocked it loose. While The Answer got the ball back and attempted to take a shot over the GOAT, he missed his attempt, and Jordan came away with the rebound. However, the 79ers ultimately won 106-96.

Notably, this is not the first time that he has made this confession. The former 76ers player stated a similar fact during his appearance on the Knuckleheads Podcast in May this year. In another conversation, Iverson also hilariously revealed how MJ didn’t forego an opportunity to embarrass him back. “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.’ 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,” the player revealed last year.

As far as Iverson’s praise for MJ’s “almost blocking” goes, is he being humble? Especially considering what other players have stated what it was like to play against AI.

The ex-NBA star who felt playing against Allen Iverson was no less than “torture”

Ever wondered what it felt like to go head-to-head with one of the most electrifying players in NBA history? Former New York Knicks star Mark Jackson has a word for it–“Torture.” And no, he’s not exaggerating. During a podcast episode with his son, Bluu, Jackson opened up about the sheer challenge of playing against AI.

When asked by Bluu what it was like to face Iverson on the court, Jackson didn’t sugarcoat it. He described Iverson as an “assassin”—a player who could score in waves and leave defenders utterly helpless. “[Iverson] was extremely fast, crafty. He’d lull you to sleep and then get to his spots,” he said.

That sounds simple enough until you realize that Iverson’s speed was the stuff of nightmares for defenders. Ranker even lists him as the 4th fastest NBA player of all time. Iverson’s explosive speed and agility allowed him to blow past defenders like they were standing still, so it’s no surprise that he was left impressed by Michael Jordan even “almost blocking” one of his best moves.