“No one has seen this type of crossover before” — Isiah Thomas explains what makes Allen Iverson’s famous crossover on Michael Jordan historic
Allen Iverson crossover on Michael Jordan
When we talk about the crossover, the first names that usually pop out in the conversation are Allen Iverson, Tim Hardaway, and Isiah Thomas. However, among the three aforementioned ankle breakers, it is Iverson that often gets the props for revolutionizing the crossover move.
Undeniably, “The Answer” has crossed up countless players throughout his NBA career. But even to this day, Iverson’s famous crossover and then pull-up jump shot on Michael Jordan during his rookie season is still topping his highlight reel.
Why was it historic?
The fact that the young Iverson pulled off a sensational crossover move on prime Jordan was already enough for it to become one of the most unforgettable NBA moments of all time. However, Isiah Thomas further shed light on the subject.
According to the Detroit Pistons icon, the old-timers at the time were a bit in awe after witnessing Iverson’s crossover on Jordan, not only because it was MJ getting crossed over, but because no player has ever done that type of crossover in the past.
“When [Allen] Iverson crossed over Jordan, I mean, when he came in with this crossover, no one has seen this type of crossover before.”
Isiah Thomas, NBA’s official YouTube channel.
Iverson “went outside the box”
That wasn’t the first time Thomas weighed in on Iverson’s unique crossover move. A few years ago, he explained the main difference between his crossover to that of the Philadelphia 76ers legend.
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As per Thomas’ assessment, he, as well as “Mr. Crossover” himself, Tim Hardaway, have become masters of the move by crossing defenders “under the knees” and “inside the box,” Iverson, on the other hand, innovated it and did it “outside the box,” while also adding some shake into it.
“The crossover that myself and Tim [Hardaway] had, it was a one-two between the legs, and then it was a low crossover under the knees,” the Hall of Famer reckoned. “We were thought that you play inside the box. You never come outside the box so you can get right to your shot.”
“Iverson came in with a crossover that was outside of the box,” he continued. “His crossover was out here, and then he would shake with it and then bring it back. And so when he went outside the box, that’s why Iverson had to bring his shot back in to shoot. That’s the difference.”
Ultimately, Thomas is fine with Iverson kicking things up a notch in his crossover. More importantly, he’s happy that “The Answer” pulled it off on Jordan and not on him.
Even MJ has not forgotten about it
Jordan and Iverson developed quite a good relationship after their illustrious careers. However, Iverson revealed that during their mini-reunion at a Charlotte Hornets game last year, Jordan shockingly quipped about his crossover on him.
“I went to a Charlotte Hornets game, and he [Jordan] 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.’ Man, and everybody in the room just bust out laughing, man. It was crazy,” Iverson divulged in an interview for Club Shay Shay.
We may never find out how Jordan truly feels about it. However, one thing certain is that Iverson really got the better of “His Airness” at the time.
