NEW YORK — DeShawn Stevenson nailed the shot, ran toward the sideline and slapped hands with Ice Cube.
Stevenson had a winner, and Cube might, too.
The only thing the rapper-actor’s new 3-on-3 basketball league couldn't deliver is the Allen Iverson that fans want to see. Iverson was mostly a spectator — and plans to stay that way — as the league of former NBA players got off to a strong start Sunday, with the first two games both decided on winning shots.
Iverson’s team won the third game, though as player-coach he only put himself in for 9 minutes. At 42 years old, the former NBA MVP said he doesn't expect to be playing heavy minutes in the 10-game season.
“I signed up to be a coach, player and captain. Coach part is going to go on throughout the game,” Iverson said. “Playing part is not going to be what you expect.”
Attendance at Barclays Center was 15,177. Entertainers such as LL Cool J and NBA players such as James Harden were in the crowd for the first two games before Iverson, the main attraction among players, took the court following a concert for the third of four games on the day.
“We’re excited to be here in the first weekend of the Big3,” said Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler, who coached Power to a 62-58 victory over Tri State in the second game on DeShawn Stevenson’s 3-pointer.
“I think it’s going to be incredibly good. The games are exciting, the players are still talented and they’re fun to watch.”
Games are played to 60 points but teams have to win by two, and getting to 60 wasn’t enough in either of the first two games.
In the opener, Rashard Lewis made a three-point play with his team facing game point as 3 Headed Monsters edged Ghost Ballers 62-60.
Showing the risk of relying on players well past their primes, there were injuries in both of the first two games. Jason Williams, the flashy point guard nicknamed “White Chocolate,” went down with a right leg injury late in the opener, and Corey Maggette had to come out of the second game. Both were expected to be OK.
The game has gimmicks — Lewis made the first 4-point shot and teams had 14 seconds to shoot. Team names included 3’s Company and Killer 3s and some players wore nicknames on their jerseys, with Jerome Williams going with “Junk Yard Dog” on his.
Cube vowed the games would be competitive — players are vying for a revenue share based on final league standings — and there was a possession early when players on both teams dived on the floor for a loose ball. There was pushing and shoving in the post and a few hard fouls, and the physicality and trash talk appeared to heat up as the game went on.
The quality of play wasn’t the strongest, but Drexler said it was still very good.
“Outside of the NBA this is the most competitive basketball league in the world, so the Big3 is here to stay,” he said.
The eight-team league will play on 10 weekends, culminating with the Aug. 26 championship in Las Vegas. Games are shown on Monday nights on Fox Sports 1.