The Answer burst onto the scene in 1997 after being selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. Rookie of the Year was in the bag once he crossed over MJ in his first game vs the Bulls. From that point on Iverson was known for his killer crossover and his ability to make defenders look silly in an instant. The Sixers made the playoffs in AI's second season, and then every year after that until 2003. But Iverson's most famous campaign is certainly his 2000-01 MVP season, in which the Answer literally carried the Sixers to a NBA Finals. AI led a group of no-name role players that included Raja Bell, Nazr Mohammed, Theo Ratliff and Eric Snow and turned them into stars. Iverson was so dominant in that season that was even able to will the Sixers to an epic Game 1 victory after he scored 48 points including 7 points late in overtime. Even though the 76ers would not win a game after that, Iverson had shown that he could do it all, especially on the big stage.
But Iverson seemingly peaked in 2001, at least as a teammate. The Sixers couldn't even reach the Eastern Conference Finals in the following two seasons, prompting the firing of Larry Brown. Iverson also went on his famous "practice" rant in 2002, basically villainizing him from the rest of the NBA. Most of the frustration AI had seemingly came from the fact that Philly could never bring in a second player that could take any pressure off of Iverson. The pressure didn't really affect him on the court, but certainly did off the court. The Answer was a less than spectacular person when he stepped off the hardwood and once Chris Ford became Philly's coach, the two immediately clashed. It seemed as if AI was more interested in rapping and trying to fulfill his "thug" image more than get any better.
Allen Iverson's 2001 MVP season will go down as one of the greatest of all-time. |
None of this mattered though, most analysts and NBA fans had already labeled Iverson as selfish and overrated by the time 2004 rolled around. By 2006-07 AI was so sick of how Philly was treating him that he demanded a trade eventually getting his wish after the Sixers shipped him to Denver. His stay in Denver was a big bust as he battled injuries and Carmelo Anthony. By the time Iverson arrived in Detroit and then Memphis he had already faded into darkness.
No one can doubt Iverson's talent and skills. He had the ability to score anytime he wanted from anywhere on the floor. AI may have been the most skilled player of his generation, yes, more skilled than Kobe. However, Iverson's greatness will always be questioned. The Iverson from 1997-2001 was a great player with the ability and the will to carry a team. The Iverson from 2001 on was a selfish player who cared more about running up his stat sheet than winning ball games.
I will, unfortunately, always remember Allen Iverson for the negativity surrounding him. Forever instilled in my memory is that "practice" rant and all the times ESPN referenced him a thug. Hopefully the hall-of-fame voters won't just think of all the times Iverson didn't pass the ball and all the times he argued with the refs, his teammates and coaches. I hope they remember Iverson's early years too, when he was the next best thing in the NBA, winning MVP titles and NBA Finals games by himself. I never liked Iverson when he was playing, but looking back on his career, I just can't get by that 2001 season. He single-handedly carried the Sixers to a NBA Finals, it still stuns me to this day.
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