Fansided

5 ways Allen Iverson was a trendsetter

By John Buhler

UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 17: Philadelphia 76ers' Allan Iverson on court during game against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena. Iverson scored 28 points in the game, which the Nets lost, 94-82. (Photo by Howard Earl Simmons/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 17: Philadelphia 76ers' Allan Iverson on court during game against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena. Iverson scored 28 points in the game, which the Nets lost, 94-82. (Photo by Howard Earl Simmons/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES: Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan (R) reacts as Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson goes up to the basket for two points in the game 15 January in Philadelphia, PA. Iverson's 31 points led the 76ers in their 106-96 upset of the world champion Bulls. AFP PHOTO TOM MIHALEK (Photo credit should read TOM MIHALEK/AFP/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES: Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan (R) reacts as Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson goes up to the basket for two points in the game 15 January in Philadelphia, PA. Iverson’s 31 points led the 76ers in their 106-96 upset of the world champion Bulls. AFP PHOTO TOM MIHALEK (Photo credit should read TOM MIHALEK/AFP/Getty Images) /

3. The crossover on Michael Jordan

Iverson’s best NBA season came in 2000-01, but his signature moment as a professional came in his rookie season back in 1996-97 — the crossover on Michael Jordan of the defending champion Chicago Bulls.

Though it would take Iverson four more years to take over the NBA, his crossover on Jordan ushered in a new style of play in the NBA. Jordan was an elite defensive player and rarely bit on the flashy moves of the best ball-handlers in the game.

As a 21-year-old rookie, Iverson briefly embarrassed the best player in the NBA in a shocking win against the 55-8 Bulls. That crossover made it cool to be an elite ball handler. To that point, it had been all about scoring in the Jordan era of the NBA.

Kids across the United States would focus on dribbling drills to be like Iverson, instead of like Jordan. The 2000s would be a time that flashy ball-handling would be commonplace in the NBA. Iverson didn’t live and die on elite dribbling, but his crossover of Jordan gave way to players that strongly emphasized that part of their game.

Next: 2. Brought hip-hop culture to mainstream

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