Скачать или смотреть Flashback: Allen Iverson vs Michael Jordan (1997) HQ

After watching the 76ers' Allen Iverson score a career-high 44 points Monday, Michael Jordan wondered.

"Was I that way in '84?" Jordan asked.

That was when rookie sensation Jordan averaged 28.2 points a game, alienated his elders at the All-Star Game because of his big publicity buildup, had just about every play run for him and averaged almost 20 shots a game.

"That was a long time ago," admitted Jordan with a laugh. "But I did make the playoffs every year."

The 76ers are far from it, but Iverson had that Jordan-like look Monday night as he whirled around the Bulls, shooting 16 of 32 with eight assists in 48 minutes. It was his second straight game without being taken out for the undermanned 76ers, who fell nevertheless 128-102.

It was no coincidence Iverson's explosion came against the Bulls. It was against the Bulls in early November when Iverson supposedly told Jordan on the court he had no respect for him.

Jordan talked about it, while Iverson said everyone misunderstood him and he just was saying he went hard against anyone on the basketball court, even Michael Jordan.

"I never talked back and forth to those guys," said Iverson.

Of course, Ron Harper also went for a season-high 22 points and Steve Kerr 15 as Iverson helped out feebly on defense as he saved himself for his offense.

"That's something the media, I'm sorry to say, blew all out of proportion. Ever since that incident happened with Michael," said Iverson, "it was, `He said something negative to Michael Jordan. Let's dog him now.' It has been that way ever since. The media has been tough on me. But I'm not a soft person. There's nothing weak about me."

Iverson has been tough on the Bulls, though not tough enough to cause the Bulls any losses.

Iverson scored 32 points against the Bulls after the alleged incident, then 37 last month, including a shocking crossover dribble that left Jordan swiping at air, and then 44 Monday.

"They're a great basketball team," said Iverson of the Bulls. "I don't see anybody beating them. (But) I got a lot of negativity coming from that team when I don't think I deserved it.

"Those guys don't know me. They don't know what I've been through and what I had to endure to get here. So what I hear I think is unfair. But they wouldn't be writing about me or talking about me if I was a bad basketball player."

Jordan remembered it happened to him too.

"It's the same thing Larry Bird used to do to me," said Jordan of the taunting of Iverson from the Bulls bench during the game. "And then they'd kick our butts."