People always say that he broke so many ankles...I say, he froze so many bodies...defenders didn't know what to do...Everyone had that "oh shit" moment for like 2 seconds 😂
In the book PERSONAL FOUL written by the ref who was sent to jail he explains why the started calling that on the crossover. He said AI said something to him or some other ref and they decided to pay him back by calling that everytime he tried to crossover.
Exactly! All Iverson did after they started coming down on his move was be more careful at the moment of extension and explosion, so his hand would be on the top/side of the ball.
I used to take it a step forward and go all the way down to the ground and hold my body up. Made everybody fall on the ground or stumble backwards. Soon as you shake right to seem to go right take the ball and throw it to the left and no one can guard it. If you got hip to it just keep going right. Unguardable
In a world full of big men, this little guy found a move that worked for him ( the killer crossover ). So what if he carried the ball, he was 165 pounds soaking wet, with all these tall guys in the NBA they're crying about a small guy finding something that works for him and making a name for himself. GOOD FOR YOU ALLEN IVERSON!!!
I have looked at the official nba rule book and it appears iverson’s rookie crossover is like a reverse situation of harden’s double step back (less scummy move though). The move is legal, but iverson did do it illegally occasionally. But whereas harden does the double step back wrong sometimes, he isn’t called for it. Iverson got called for it no matter what because the ref’s misunderstood what he was doing. Let me explain the official carry rule. It states, in the official rule book, “A player who is dribbling may not put any part of his hand under the ball and (1) carry it from one point to another or (2) bring it to a pause and then continue to dribble again”. The key word is under the ball. 90 percent of the time, Iverson had his hand on the side of the ball, parallel to the floor, where it would briefly rest. This is why he was called mainly called for a palming violation. And in his George Town clips he palmed a lot for sure. But in the nba he was legally doing it for the most part. For those who think it is impossible to do this move without palming or carrying, that is not true. I can’t palm a basketball but I can do this cross. Essentially, you need to dribble the ball high enough to the point where it is up to your shoulders, and allow your wrist to support the ball briefly while it spins on the side of your hand. If you are doing it correct, it should be falling straight down when you fail the move, not underneath your hand. Iverson’s hands were big enough to the point where he could control the ball without needing to palm on this move. Plus his hands and wrists let the ball rest on the side of his hand much longer than someone who has smaller hands. And his long arms made the move look extremely illegal. If you are trying to learn this move, but have smaller hands, do not expect to be able to rest the ball as long as Iverson is able to. Otherwise you will probably end up carrying. I believe the real reason it got banned was because so many coaches and players complained about the move, and iverson got in a rift with some refs. Iverson was ahead of his time and it confused players and refs. Not to mention I’m sure MJ was pissed and asked for it to be banned, considering it wouldn’t be the first time he bitched for rule changes. Technically, this move could still legally be done in todays nba since it appears they never actually changed the rules for this cross to be illegal. I don’t think it will ever be as effective as it was with iverson though. He had speed, body control, and a crazy body composition that we have yet to see again in the nba level.
When he said someone gonna learn it and it’s gonna be better than his he was already foreshadowing someone would come to the lead with great handles and that person is KYRIE IRVING👍👍
they weren't back in the day. the rule change was basically because of Iverson. It used to be fine when it was on the side of the ball. Jamal Crawford and Kobe still abuse a similar cross in the league now though.
Steph, Paul, Irving, Crawford, Durant, Kawhi, Luka, Trae, Morant, D'Lo, Wiggins, Klay, Kobe, Jordan, Dr.J, Oscar Robertson, Hardaway sr., West, Bird, etc. The thing that made Iverson extraordinarily was his ability to change speed, his IQ and his freakish body control.
If it was a carry, then the REF would've called it. He been doing it since Georgetown and it helped him get into the NBA! So I would have to disagree with you on this one.
Ok so maybe i was the only person that notice but in college he carried alot on the crossover but in the pro's it was 50-50 but we all know once he hit mike with it which he didn't carry the NBA banned it but its funny because people still use it today
No carry just good move I will admit few times he carried cuffed the ball but most of time held ball high and was on side of ball not underneath no carry jus somethin people not used to seeing
Thanks beatsbearsbattlestar, having seen so many iverson mixes, urs is the only one to still come up with original material, rather than the overused cliche ones. Just got a question, seeing a lot of these crossovers, iverson seemed to lead with the left hand, and I'm wondering whether left hand crossovers seem to be more effective because majority of the defenders tend to be right handed?
so basically the great AI, my beloved superstar big brother, made his identity off another mans move..We should humble ourselves and learn from others what works, for what you truly want
I still to this day can't fathom how people stand by the statement that this is a carry in today's game despite the things that Kevin Durant, Kyrie, Harden etc get away with.
I think it's just Iversons preference to lead with the left to the right in his crossover, it has nothing to do with which lead hand the defenders are. I think with Iversons skills back then he'd do the same thing going from right to left just maybe not as good as left to right.
I love that video ever I had seen that! It's too sick video! Iverson is my guard player ever! Everybody said I am having a great handle as him. My player nasty crossover in my life completely!!! I can't think even about it! I love him absolutely! Allen Iverson could whoosh right by you, break your ankles with a crossover (remember, Mr. Jordan?) and sometimes elevate over you.
sorry half of these were carries. not all but around half especially the georgetown ones. looked good but were carries. can cradle the ball in your hand, shift your feet, step forward and cross over.
