Allen Iverson came into the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft, a highly skilled and highly-rated youngster. While his silky handles and elite scoring ability immediately caught the eye of organizations and fans of the game alike, what stood out was the fact that Iverson wasn’t scared to take on just about anybody. I mean, he crossed up a prime Michael Jordan and said he felt no fear going up against the GOAT.
It was MJ’s teammate with the Chicago Bulls that got under AI’s skin though. Dennis Rodman was an absolute pest on the defensive end, especially on the glass, even Jordan himself called Dennis an a*****e once. Iverson isn’t the only player he ticked off either, Rodman made a career out of playing hard and doing whatever it takes to make the winning hustle plays on the court.
And a clip from AI’s rookie year from a game against the Chicago Bulls has now gone viral, with Rodman being himself and trying to rough a young Iverson up during a play. AI announced what kind of character he was though, going right at the much bigger Rodman looking for a fight
With the two battling for a rebound, Rodman left a little something extra on AI’s head, and the youngster took exception to it, with the teammates and referees having to get involved to separate the duo. Fans loved watching it though, and many took to the comments to appreciate the unfiltered edge of the NBA in the 90s.
“Real G, not a studio one.”
“Rodman was so slick w getting them hits in.”
“AI woulda got washed by Rodman.”
“One of so many reasons why AI is the most respected player to never win a ring.. he was all heart at all times.”
“DC and Spoon. It was grown men in the league back then.”
“Rodman, damn i miss the worm . He got under your skin like no other and was so calm about it.”
“He wasn’t scared, he was ready for all the smoke.”
“You can tell AI was ready to risk his inner hood over a ni**a that was a stepper.”
“And Rodman was not scared at all of him neither.”
“Rodman tried to son Iverson and AI wasn’t with it.”
AI dropped 32 during that game against the Bulls and considering that this team was a dynasty, that is incredibly impressive. The Bulls ran out victors by just 6 points with a 111-105 scoreline but Iverson certainly announced what he was about to the world in the process. The NBA isn’t quite what it used to be in terms of physical play, but those days of battles between the likes of AI and Rodman will live long in the memory of every fan that was able to witness them.
