Watch ComplexCon's Crossed Over Panel With Allen Iverson, Jerry Lorenzo, Victor Cruz, and More

Jordan's Nike kicks birthed modern sneaker culture but could we make the case that his influence has been eclipsed by Iverson?

It's been almost 22 years since Allen Iverson had the audacity to take on the GOAT. The iconic moment came on March 12, 1997, and it's forever seared into the memories of NBA fans. 

All these years later, we still love talking about AI's wicked crossover of Michael Jordan that almost had His Airness on skates. The moment, in a relatively forgettable regular season game, ushered in the era of the new swaggy superstar: players unabashed in their personal style, making no apologies for what they wore or how they carried themselves while fully embracing hip-hop culture. 

While Jordan was the undisputed king of basketball and the tastemaker of sports culture in the late '80s and early '90s, Iverson's rise in the late '90s and early '00s was arguably just as profound, if not even more earth-shattering, considering the tidal wave that AI's game, style, and swagger brought to the league and its fans. 

At this November's ComplexCon, we gathered a distinguished panel debate who had a bigger influence on basketball culture. Jordan's Nike kicks birthed modern sneaker culture, but could we make the case that Iverson had eclipsed his influence? Experts on sports and style weighed in.

With esteemed journalist Jemele Hill serving as the moderator, Fear of God designer Jerry Lorenzo, former NFL player Victor Cruz, Pyer Moss designer Kerby-Jean Raymond, Complex host Pierce Simpson, and social media personality Filayyyy—as well as Iverson himself, in a surprise visit—all sat down for a panel discussion to determine whose impact was greater.

Peep "Crossed Over: Jordan vs. Iverson" from our exclusive ComplexCon(versations) above.

Latest in Sports