Last Throwback Thursday, we covered the Top Ten All-Time Dunkers… This week, we move onto the second most popular of NBA highlights. The legendary crossover. No ones likes to be posterized by a dunk, but just as bad, or worse, no one likes to fall on their ass in the middle of an NBA game by getting their feet mixed up and crossed over… in front of thousands of screaming fans. These next few players are the instigators of very many falls and embarrassments.
5. Stephon Marbury – Before he disgracefully disappeared from the New York Knicks and reappeared on the NBA has-been’s all time list, Stephon Marbury had one of the quickest first steps in the NBA, and a crossover that would consistently get him to the basket to either dish it off to a teammate or score. (Usually the latter)
4. Baron Davis – Baron Davis has been a somewhat inconsistent player his last few seasons in L.A., Cleveland, and NY but we’ve all seen how great he once was. Whether it was leading the down and out Golden State Warriors to victory against a #1 seeded Dallas Mavericks team in the playoffs, or consistently averaging around 18 ppg and 8 assists on the old Charlotte Hornets of late, Baron Davis has certainly sent a good share of NBA players to the doc’s office with a broken ankle… or two.
3. Pete Mavarich – Arguably the founder of the crossover, Pete Mavarich changed the way a player could dribble the basketball. Not only did was he able to successfully dribble through hoards of defenders, but he did it with an absurd amount of style and flair.
2. Steve Francis – Stevie “Franchise” stepped onto the NBA hardwood thinking he was still just playing ball in the same old neighborhood playground. He played with a reckless abandon on the court, and showcased some of the NBA’s finest crossovers in his time with the Houston Rockets. Not since has a player taken over a game with his ability to simply rely on the dribble, and not speed or strength or size, to fly by defenders.
1. Allen Iverson – One of the greatest scorers to ever play the game, AI gave it his all every time he stepped onto the court. Usually one of the smallest and scrawniest players on the court night in and night out, he was miraculously able to lead the league in scoring multiple times, as well as the Philadelphia 76ers to an NBA Finals appearance single-handedly. His talent was off the charts, and his numbers remarkable. He has the best crossover the NBA has ever seen, just ask the greatest of all-time… Michael Jordan.
Just because he was that good…
Honorable Mention – Derrick Rose – Reigning MVP Derrick Rose is the most explosive player in the NBA off the dribble today. Defenders double wrap their ankles every time they play the Bulls. Even with lingering injuries, his crossover has reigned supreme in this shortened 2011-2012 season.
Hardwood Life 
steve francis was a beast