Race Jones
gangster. grace. alchemy
This week, Iverson was a guest on ESPN’s SportsCenter to discuss the 20th anniversary of one of his most legendary plays–the crossover that left Michael Jeffrey Jordan frozen on the court like he was hit with a stun gun. The play took place on March 12, 1997, and still stands as one of the league’s greatest highlights, in part, because of what it symbolized. By that time, Jordan was on his way to GOAT status, as he would win his 5th NBA championship that year, and a sixth in 1998. Jordan represented the old guard– genteel, well-heeled and very much a company man. Iverson was in-your-face, brash and, as stated a true Hip-Hop ambassador. The play was both a changing of the guard, as Iverson, the rookie, was ushering in a new era, and just a downright filthy move.
During the SC6 interview, Iverson was asked which of his plays was more memorable, the crossover when he stepped over Tyronn Lue after drilling a 3-pointer in his face during the 2001 NBA Finals. Initially, Iverson’s response was neither, as he cited his soaring dunk against Toronto on a putback of a missed shot. However, in re-visiting the question, he chose the crossover.
During the SC6 interview, Iverson was asked which of his plays was more memorable, the crossover when he stepped over Tyronn Lue after drilling a 3-pointer in his face during the 2001 NBA Finals. Initially, Iverson’s response was neither, as he cited his soaring dunk against Toronto on a putback of a missed shot. However, in re-visiting the question, he chose the crossover.
