NBA: Built to Dominate

The Most Anticipated Christmas Battle in NBA History

The Lakers vs. Bulls Christmas matchup had been scheduled months ago—before Alex Mo had even played an NBA game.

At the time, David Stern had a concern:

"What if this becomes a one-sided blowout?"

Back then, Mo was still just a hyped-up rookie, while Michael Jordan was the undisputed king of basketball.

But now?

As Christmas arrived…

The Lakers had a better record than the Bulls.

The world was shocked.

Stern's Pre-Game Orders – Let Them Play

Because of the high stakes and intensity, Stern made a decision before tip-off:

The referees were instructed to let them play.Unless it was a clear flagrant foul, they were to swallow the whistle.

Stern's vision for this Christmas battle:

A raw, physical, and high-intensity game.

And with Rodman, Iverson, and Ben Wallace on the floor…

That decision was about to be tested.

Chicago's United Center – A Sold-Out Arena

The United Center was at maximum capacity—21,711 fans packed into the arena.

Bulls fans were LOUD.

"No one wants to miss this game!"

"Jordan is going to school those young punks!"

"Rodman is gonna put Alex Mo in his place!"

The entire arena was electric.

When Iverson stepped onto the court, he felt it immediately.

The pressure.

"This arena is alive… and it's trying to swallow us whole."

For a brief moment, he felt the weight of history.

Was he nervous?

Or was he just excited?

Then, he remembered something—

"Mo, we had a $100,000 bet. You said you could drop 25, maybe even 30, on Jordan."

Iverson snapped back to reality.

"Oh yeah. There's no way I'm losing money today."

The Lakers Are Locked In

Alex Mo checked on Ben Wallace next.

Was he nervous about playing on this big stage?

Not at all.

Big Ben was already stretching, preparing for war.

"Mo, dominate them inside today!"

"And if Rodman tries anything dirty, I got your back!"

Mo grinned.

Iverson came to play basketball.

Big Ben came to start a fight.

Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman Prepare for Battle

On the Bulls' side, the conversation was different.

"So, who's guarding that kid Iverson?" Pippen asked.

Jordan smirked."You can't handle him?"

"Of course I can." Pippen laughed nervously.

But the truth?

His ankle wasn't 100%.

He just couldn't admit that to Jordan.

Meanwhile, Phil Jackson had a warning for Rodman.

"Dennis, stay focused. No cheap shots, no nonsense—just win the game."

Rodman grinned.

"Phil, I'm not that guy anymore. I'm totally focused."

But the Zen Master wasn't convinced.

Rodman could say whatever he wanted.

But deep down, he was still a Bad Boy at heart.

And against Alex Mo?

There was no way he was staying calm all game.

Tip-Off – But First… A Sneaker Controversy?

Just before tip-off, a courtside staff member ran up to Alex Mo…

And handed him a mysterious shoe box.

The entire Bulls arena was confused.

"What's he doing? Changing shoes?"

"Right before tip-off? What kind of move is this?!"

Mo opened the box…

And pulled out a pair of white-and-gold low-top sneakers.

The IM1 Generation.

At Nike Headquarters in Portland, executives erupted in cheers.

They had been waiting for this moment.

They wondered why Mo still wore AJ11s during warmups.

Now, they had their answer.

The IM1 was debuting in the biggest game of the season.

The camera zoomed in on the sneakers.

Even Bulls fans, who hated Mo, had to admit—

"Damn… those look clean."

Even Jordan noticed.

"Low-top basketball shoes? …Not bad."

Meanwhile, David Stern frowned.

Platinum-colored sneakers?

That wasn't allowed under NBA uniform rules.

"Of course, it's Nike again."

He sighed.

Just like Jordan in the '80s, Mo would get fined later.

But Stern knew the truth—

The marketing impact was already massive.

Game Begins – Iverson vs. Jordan, Mo vs. Rodman

Tip-off.

The Lakers won possession.

Iverson brought the ball up the court…

And immediately got pressed by Ron Harper.

The whole world knew what was coming—

The Lakers' first play was ALWAYS a long pass to Mo.

Phil Jackson had prepared for it.

Harper's pressure was designed to disrupt the connection between Iverson and Mo.

But AI was too quick.

He got past Harper—

Only to be met by Scottie Pippen.

"Scottie Pippen vs. Allen Iverson!"

The two best perimeter defenders in NBA history were about to go head-to-head.

Or so everyone thought.

Iverson didn't care about Pippen.

He called for a pick.

But instead of switching onto another defender…

He forced a switch onto Michael Jordan.

"Wait… did he just choose to go at Jordan?!"

Jordan locked in.

Iverson dribbled side to side, sizing him up.

Then—

A quick crossover.

Jordan reacted.

Then—

A hesitation move.

Jordan reached…

And Iverson exploded in the other direction.

Jordan was left leaning the wrong way.

AI rose up and drilled the jumper.

The arena went silent.

The Lakers' bench erupted.

Alex Mo grinned from the paint.

He had seen this moment before.

Iverson shaking Jordan was a moment that would've happened in the future.

Now?

It was happening right in front of him.

Jordan Responds with a Vengeance

Jordan was pissed.

Next possession?

Fadeaway over Scott.And-one.Free throw good.

2+1.

Bulls took the lead.

And when the Lakers came back down?

Jordan switched onto Iverson himself.

No more Pippen.

Iverson's job just got a lot harder.

Under the Basket – Alex Mo vs. Rodman

Iverson tried passing inside to Mo.

Jordan almost stole it.

But Mo caught it at the last second.

Under the basket?

Dennis Rodman was waiting.

Rodman was physical.

Elbows, hips, shoves—everything was legal in the '90s.

But Mo wasn't some ordinary player.

He absorbed the contact…

Then—

BAM.

Mo spun, dropped his shoulder, and ELBOWED Rodman in the chest.

Rodman stumbled back TWO steps.

Before he could recover—

Mo took off and threw down a vicious two-handed dunk.

The rim shook.

Rodman looked up at Mo, eyes wide.

Mo stared back down.

"That's how LA says hello, Dennis."

Rodman grinned.

"Oh, it's gonna be fun today."

The battle had just begun.