“Michael is a rookie and he has a lot to learn, just like we all did,” said George “Iceman” Gervin after Michael Jordan dropped a playoff-record 63 at Boston Garden against the invincible Celtics in 1986. Okay, sure, MJ was technically a rookie, newly drafted in 1984, but to say he “had a lot to learn” after a 63-point masterpiece against the Celtics? That’s a tough pill to swallow for any MJ fan. If that didn’t fire MJ up, I don’t know what would. And the rest, as they say, is history. As for the Iceman? Well, let’s just say he eventually melted under MJ’s heat.
But now? Gervin’s talking about passing the torch. The “finger roll’s broke“, he admits, almost wistfully. His days of taking over the court are behind him, but he’s more than ready to let the new generation take their shot. In a recent Instagram post, George “Iceman” Gervin dropped some serious knowledge that shows just how much respect he has for the present generation of players.
When asked how many points he could average in today’s game, his response was pure humility: “None. Cause I couldn’t play it. These guys are just so much better than them guys.” He wasn’t just talking about the game evolving; he was acknowledging that today’s players are on a whole different level, making plays he could never have dreamed of.
The NBA of the 1970s was a different landscape than the high-octane, three-point-centric league of today. Offensive sets often revolved around isolation plays and exploiting individual matchups. The finger roll, with its blend of finesse and deception, was a perfect weapon in this environment, allowing skilled scorers like Gervin to navigate defenses and finish creatively around the basket.
He went on to break down how his signature move—the deadly finger roll—just wouldn’t work in today’s fast-paced, high-flying league. “My finger roll is broke,” Gervin said. “I had my turn. It’s these guys’ turn, and let ’em enjoy it like I enjoyed it when I had my turn.” That’s a statement you can feel. And when the conversation shifted to the current obsession with three-pointers, Gervin couldn’t help but laugh at the shift in focus. “I shot a lot of 2s. I got my 3-pointer ‘and 1,’” he said with a grin.
But let’s rewind for a second and talk about just why the Iceman’s finger roll was so deadly in its prime. Back in the day, it wasn’t just a move—it was a nightmare for defenders, a masterclass in finesse and deception. “I mean, you say Skyhook, you know who you talking about and when you say finger, roll, you know you who talking about,” Gervin pointed out.
How did Michael Jordan’s 63-pointer redefine Iceman’s signature move?
Gervin’s finger roll was an absolute masterpiece. “It’s an art to it, you know what I mean? And it’s a history to it, and the history is pretty much mine. So, how thankful am I? I mean, we’re still talking about it 40 years later,” Gervin shared on Ballislife Podcast Network in 2021. The fluidity and finesse with which he executed it made it one of the most iconic shots in basketball history and synonymous with his name, and for good reason. “I mean, you say Skyhook, you know who you talking about and when you say finger, roll, you know you who talking about,” Gervin pointed out.
What truly set Gervin’s finger roll apart was the combination of its deceptive unpredictability and its sheer unguardability. Alex English, summed it up perfectly: “It was just so easy for him… you didn’t know whether he was going to slam it or lay it up. And he had that finger roll, which was so smooth. It was like he was gliding, and you couldn’t get to it.” The way Gervin controlled the ball mid-air, guiding it with perfect touch and accuracy, made his finger roll a nightmare for defenders. They were left guessing whether he would finish with a dunk or a smooth layup, leaving them frozen in hesitation. As Gervin put it, “I had a unique style. I could put the ball in places where people couldn’t get to it, and that finger roll became one of my most effective tools.”
But as time went on, Gervin wasn’t about to just hand over his crown to any flashy rookie. When MJ came onto the scene with a style that was pure raw energy, Gervin wasn’t impressed. To him, it seemed like Jordan was all hustle and little finesse, “Hell yeah. The son of a b—- is crazy. He played just as hard at practice as he did in the game.” This relentless energy was unlike anything Gervin had seen before. Gervin had his doubts, but deep down, he knew that time waits for no one. “You only have so long to be on top. I was on top for about 12 years. You only have your turn,” Gervin acknowledged.
As Jordan’s dominance began to show, Gervin’s skepticism turned into respect. “When you see a guy who just wants it that bad, you can’t help but respect it. Michael, he was always about getting better, pushing the limits, and playing with everything on the line.” Reflecting on Jordan’s groundbreaking 63-point game, Gervin confessed, “I knew my time was up…He [MJ] wasn’t just taking over the league; he was taking it to places Gervin never thought possible.”
In the end, Gervin’s legacy isn’t just built on his dazzling finger roll or his scoring prowess—it’s rooted in his humility and understanding of basketball’s ever-evolving landscape. Recognizing that the spotlight doesn’t last forever, he’s embraced the idea that it’s the new generation’s turn to shine, just as he once did
The post George ‘Iceman’ Gervin, Once Known for Taunting Michael Jordan, Admits His Signature Move Is ‘Broken’ Before LeBron and Co. appeared first on EssentiallySports.