Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Michael Jordan, NBA, Basketball
Tom Jenkins
Allen Iverson has recalled the shocking first interaction he had with Michael Jordan during the 1997 All-Star Weekend in Cleveland.
Jordan was known for his trash talk both inside and outside the court and it didn't matter who you were, anyone could get it.
It didn't take Iverson long to this out firsthand when he crossed paths with Jordan for the first time when he was an upcoming rookie and MJ was already a multiple MVP winner.
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Speaking in an interview with Complex Sports, Iverson revealed Jordan's first act was to insult him when the pair bumped into each other at the NBA All-Star event.
“The first time I talked to him was that year playing in the rookie game," Iverson said.
"I’ll never forget it because he said “What’s up, you little b****? … I looked at him, I said ‘Alright man.’”
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The pair went on to be the stars of the show of the weekend in Cleveland, with Iverson winning the MVP of the Rising Stars game, and Jordan becoming the first player ever to record a triple-double in the All-Star game.
Speaking via Basketball Network Iverson admitted that Jordan was his idol, and revealed the duo's interaction in Cleveland was the only time he's ever been starstruck.
"Anybody that knows Allen Iverson knows Black Jesus was it for me. I wanted to be like Mike," he explained.
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"I remember the first time seeing him; I couldn’t believe it, man. I ain’t never looked at a person in my life — and I’ve seen millions of celebrities — I never looked at somebody that didn’t look real. Never. Like, the God damn guy was glowing or something, man," he added.
Despite Jordan getting the first laugh during the All-Star weekend, it only took Iverson one month to get his hero back when the Chicago Bulls visited the Philadelphia 76ers in March of 1997.
During the game, Iverson baited Jordan out towards the three-pointer line, before using a crossover to beat Jordan and get his shot away.
Speaking a year after the match, Jordan admitted the youngster had gotten the better of him.
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"I mean, that was a great move," Jordan said.
"I'm never the type of guy that says I can't get shown up. I just try to limit these opportunities. So, I'm not going to try to make it one-on-one between Allen Iverson and myself."