05-05-2025
"After that, I never saw my Iversons again" - Bow Wow recalls his unfortunate first meeting with MJ
American rapper Shad Gregory "Bow Wow" Moss is known for his role in the 2002 film "Like Mike." In that movie, Moss plays Calvin Cambridge, a 13-year-old orphan who became an NBA superstar after acquiring Michael Jordan's skills from wearing an old pair of sneakers that once belonged to Mike.
In real life, however, it was different. Although he grew up close to MJ's son Marcus, Bow Wow resonated with Philadelphia 76ers superstar Allen Iverson mainly because of A.I.'s diminutive stature and hip-hop persona. That got Shad in trouble during his first meeting with Mr. Jordan.
"I wore Reeboks at the house. I wore some Iversons. That was my guy. After Marcus' dad retired, A.I. was my man. The tatt, the braid, I just saw me. So I'm in the house of the Iversons," said Moss during his recent appearance on "Club Shay Shay."
Bow Wow started his entertainment career at the age of six when he was discovered by Snoop Dogg. As "Li'l Bow Wow," he released his first album at the age of 13 in 2000. A year later, Moss became the featured performer of the "Scream Tour," which ran every summer from 2001-2012.
Every time the tour hit Chicago, Bow would hit up with Marcus and he would stay at the Jordan's 56,000-square foot mansion in Highland Park. Unfortunately, his buddy did not give him the memo on what footwear is allowed in MJ's presence.
"And so me and Marcus, in his room, we wake up in the morning," recalled Bow Wow. "I can see that door crack open like a father, like a real dad. "Hey, whose bullsh** is this?" And Marcus was like, 'I don't know, you already know it, don't even look at me.' I'm on the floor sleeping, and I'm like, "Huh?" He like, 'This yours, Bow?' and I'm like, 'Yeah.' Sh** is going in the trash...'Michael, man, get this little man some kicks.' Man, after that, I never saw my Iversons again. Threw my Iversons away, gone." Bow Wow was not the only one who lost his beloved pair of shoes inside the hallowed halls of the Jordan residence. Mike's footwear rule applied to everyone who stepped inside his abode, including his children. "His Airness" did not even make an exception for the Jordan princess - his only daughter Jasmine, who once told the story of her dad trashing her favorite Skechers shoes.
"It didn't matter what pair they were. It didn't matter who bought them. If they were in his house and they were on my feet, by the next day, they were in the trash," said Jasmine. "I used to beg him, 'Please, let me get the light-up Skechers!' Or the shoes with the wheels. He would let me wear them for a day, then the next day they would end up in the trash."
The Air Jordan shoe isn't just the most successful basketball shoe of all time. It's part of the Jordan mystique. And for MJ, no other shoe or brand deserves to take a single step inside his property. That policy is non-negotiable.
