'The Answer' couldn't believe how cool MJ was.
You can argue that NBA players are considered the coolest athletes in the world, but like all things, some players are far cooler than others. Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls legend, exuded a level of "cool" that left even cultural icons like Allen Iverson in awe of his presence.
Iverson sat down with the Players Tribune following his career and detailed the aura he remembers after encountering Jordan at All-Star weekend in 2003.
"Man, I think I'm a cool guy. I'm alright. But Mike is the only person I ever, I mean ever, met who can be so effortless in his cool that he leaves this, glow," A.I. said. "It's almost like I'll remember the details about that moment, and then I'll get worked up from remembering it, just thinking about how cool that man is, you know what I'm saying? I mean, he's smoking a cigar with his uniform on before the NBA All-Star game. And man, he's in the coaches office."
"He's in the coaches' office. You're smoking your big-a*s cigar in the coaches' office, in your damn uniform, with your feet kicked up like it's nothing before your very last All-Star Game? Man, you run everything. You run everything!" he added.
A.I's idol
When reading Iverson's comments, it's important to remember that Jordan was his hero growing up. The Sixers legend constructed an image of MJ in his head that felt unreachable. To even be in his company at All-Star weekend and witness how he conducted himself was a reality that Iverson could never have imagined in his wildest dreams.
Of course, Jordan's persona had a lot to do with the experience. His personality, charisma, and the immeasurable respect he commanded from his peers, the media, and the coaches, even at the highest level, were captivating.
Next level glazing
As cool as it is to hear about Iverson's observations of MJ, it's hard to ignore the borderline embarrassment level of glazing. Sure, Mike is arguably the greatest player of all time and A.I.'s hero. Still, his words may be taking admiration a little too far.
To be fair, he's not the only one. A handful of players in league history have likened Jordan to a God when they first saw him or had the opportunity to compete against him.
It would be nice to eventually accept Jordan as the incredible superstar and Hall of Famer he was and acknowledge that he was still just a human being like the rest of us.
