Key Takeaways:
– Allen Iverson learnt his famed crossover move from a college teammate.
– The Philadelphia 76ers have put up a statue in honour of Iverson’s crossover.
– Iverson confident in his skill, used the move on his idol, Michael Jordan, a few years after perfecting it.
The Creation of a Basketball Icon
An aspect of Allen Iverson’s career that has lived on in basketball history is his legendary crossover. This dribble is so emblematic that a statue replicating the move was erected by the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this year. Recently, Iverson sat down and recounted just how he came to acquire this prestigious talent.
Iverson’s journey with the crossover began during training sessions with his team, the Georgetown Hoyas. His fellow teammate, Dean Berry, constantly outplayed him with the brisk maneuver. To overcome his shortcomings, Iverson made a decision to add the move to his arsenal of skills. So, humbly, he sought guidance from Berry.
Iverson, a fast learner, stringently studied the ins and outs of the crossover. Within a matter of days, he was leaving his opponents bamboozled during scrimmages with the same move he once fell victim to. However, even after mastering the technique, Iverson never claimed his version superior to Berry’s. Instead, he equates their relationship to that in the movie, Karate Kid, comparing Berry to Mr. Miyagi, and himself to Daniel.
How the Crossover Works
Iverson’s crossover brings simplicity and finesse together with deadly efficacy. The initial fake spikes the defender in the opposite direction. This gives Iverson the time he needs to redirect the ball and make his shot. Deceptively straightforward, this move is why Iverson is considered a legend in the realm of dribble moves.
The Rookie Meets the Legend
Iverson enrolled into Georgetown University’s basketball program in 1994. There, he learnt the crossover move from Berry during the freshman season of 1995-96. A few short years later, in 1997, a momentous event to prove his mettle took place — Iverson crossed over Michael Jordan.
Despite being a rookie, Iverson’s confidence in his ball handling skills never wavered. With brazen audacity, he tried and successfully executed the crossover on Jordan – an icon he adored and admired in his formative years. This interaction underlined his firm belief in his skills which were polished to perfection in just a few years.
Iverson recollected the incident on a podcast episode of the Knuckleheads. He shared how he had mentally prepared to try his move on Jordan whenever the opportunity presented itself. When he saw Jordan move with his first fake, Iverson went all in. His second fake was hit home successfully, leading him to score a shot from the key.
However, this daring move on his idol wasn’t ripe without a dollop of humor. Iverson recounted how Jordan claimed no one who loved him would make a move like that on him. Clearly, even the greats can have a soft spot for an artful crossover.
Iverson’s love for the game and his talent with the crossover earned him a spot in the NBA hall of fame and cemented his legacy. The power of a simple move, learnt from a friend, carried this NBA legend through countless games and victories, proving that talent mitigated through respect and humility can work wonders. Today, generations of basketball players look up to Iverson as they perfect their own crossovers, keeping the legend alive, one dribble at a time.