• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Allen Iversen reveals brutal comment Michael Jordan made to him the first time they met that he'll 'never forget'

Home> NBA

Published 18:00 23 Apr 2025 GMT+1

Allen Iversen reveals brutal comment Michael Jordan made to him the first time they met that he'll 'never forget'

It's always stuck with him.

Tom Jenkins

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.

Advert

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.’”

Advert

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.

Allen Iverson in 2012 (credit: Getty)
Allen Iverson in 2012 (credit: Getty)

Advert

"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.

Advert

"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."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Michael Jordan, NBA, Basketball

Tom Jenkins
Tom Jenkins

Tom Jenkins is a Social Editor and Journalist for SPORTBible. Specialises in Football and F1 but has experience covering a variety of sports such as MMA, Boxing and Cricket. Suffers weekly as an Evertonian.

X

@tomjenkns

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

19 hours ago
2 days ago
  • 19 hours ago

    LeBron James 'cements position as the GOAT' after stunning NBA Finals graphic

    The Los Angeles Lakers star has reaffirmed his GOAT credentials after graphic emerged following NBA Finals dramatic finale

    NBA
  • 2 days ago

    Michael Jordan broke strict US law 'because he could' after making incredible $350,000 purchase

    The NBA legend found himself in serious trouble after making a massive purchase during his career.

    NBA
  • 2 days ago

    Shaq stuns Travis Kelce with risqué comment about Taylor Swift during podcast appearance

    The NBA legend didn't hold back when speaking about meeting the pop superstar.

    NBA
  • 2 days ago

    LeBron James issued brutal retirement warning by NBA star

    NBA veteran Olden Polynice has given his thoughts on the Los Angeles Lakers star

    NBA
  • Michael Jordan once banned his own team from wearing his Nike shoes after incident
  • Michael Jordan only 'rejected' one challenge to a one-on-one in his entire NBA career
  • Michael Jordan admitted rival who beat him more than any other player did throughout his NBA career 'played him tougher than anyone else'
  • Michael Jordan broke strict US law 'because he could' after making incredible $350,000 purchase