Allen Iverson: A legend
There’s never been a player like Allen Iverson. It’s something you’ve read before. He changed the game. He inspired a generation. He did so many good things for the NBA. He had his issues, which is a major reason why he’s so relatable. He knew he made mistakes. He owned them time and time again. He didn’t give a damn what people thought about him, which made him so polarizing.
Stephen Curry to kids now represents what Iverson was to kids then. Iverson led the league in jersey sales. Many people had his signature sneakers. Iverson wasn’t as good as Curry. Iverson, from a statistical sense, might be overrated. But his value cannot be measured in shooting percentage or championship rings. He wasn’t able to find a role once his elite athleticism diminished. Unlike Vince Carter, who has aged well into a respected bench player, Iverson had to be the man for a NBA team. He wasn’t coming off the bench. He wasn’t playing second fiddle to anyone. It was his team, or he didn’t want to be there. That was Iverson’s style. That’s who Iverson was. He was brutally honest, which was a reason some people couldn’t stand him. He wasn’t just a cultural icon, though. He was a helluva basketball player. When Iverson was on, he was the most exciting player in basketball. His crossover was deadly, his speed was overwhelming and his acrobatic finishing made him nearly unstoppable.
Iverson took too many shots. He was selfish. He had a me-first approach to basketball. The 76ers didn’t do a good enough job building talent around Iverson, which was a major reason why Iverson had to be selfish. He had to carry the scoring bulk. He gambled for steals. Iverson led the league in field goal attempts four times, points per game four times, steals per game three times and minutes per game seven times. Iverson shot a putrid 38.7 percent from the field the year after he won MVP. Critics rightfully slammed his game, but despite the naysayers he continued to fight game in and game out. Maybe he didn’t take the best shots. Maybe he could’ve trusted his teammates a little bit more. But Iverson put everything on the court, and that’s the major reason why so many people consider him an icon. Iverson never made excuses. He was barely 5'11'’ and constantly battled injuries, but if he was on the court, he gave it his everything.
Iverson’s best team, 2000–2001, began the season 10–0. A mid-season trade for Dikembe Mutombo propelled Philadelphia into the Finals. Iverson only played five career Finals’ games, but he had one of the most memorable debuts in NBA Finals history. Iverson scored 48 points in one of the more improbable Game 1 wins in NBA history. Head coach Larry Brown believed Philly’s best chance to win was Iverson to draw double-teams. Mutombo averaged his most offensive rebounds per game in his 26 games with Philly in 2001. The 76ers didn’t surround Iverson with another solid big man after Mutombo left. NBA veterans like, Glenn Robinson, Kenny Thomas and Derrick Coleman teamed up with Samuel Dalembert in Philly’s front court. Since Iverson played so hard, he had several injuries. He missed several games each year in the mid-2000s. The 76ers drafted Andre Iguodala and Kyle Korver during Iverson’s tenure, and they even traded for Chris Webber. But nothing was ever as good as 2000–2001 for Iverson in Philadelphia. I remember, in the moment, people were frustrated with Iverson. Here’s one of the NBA’s top talents, and he can’t even advance in the postseason. Iverson advanced to at least the second round in each of his first three postseason trips. In his final five trips Iverson’s teams only advanced past the first round once. His team’s lack of postseason success paints a blemish on his legacy.
Iverson was more than just a basketball player, however. His impact didn’t necessarily happen on the court, or in box scores. Iverson’s impact runs deep in so many neighborhoods across the World. So many people looked up to Allen Iverson. He was troubled. He was genuine. And he was a remarkable basketball player. His basketball shortcomings are evident. There’s no use to criticize the way he played now. But basketball players who made the NBA or didn’t cite Iverson as one of their biggest inspirations. They loved how hard he played. They loved how he embraced his individuality. They loved how he dressed for postgame interviews. They loved how he had tattoos and dreadlocks.
Fans adored Iverson. Iverson made the All-Star Game 11 straight times. He won the ASG’s MVP twice. Iverson lived for making highlights. He would’ve shined even brighter in today’s Internet age. Can you imagine how many loops Iverson’s crossover on Michael Jordan would’ve had?
Iverson wore his heart on his sleeve. He was flawed. He was frustrating. He was human.
