The Final Answer: A Tribute To The Legacy Of Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
But there was the part of him that we couldn’t get enough of. Rookie of the Year. Four scoring titles. MVP. The finals run when he made Eric Snow and Aaron McKie relevant NBA names. And there was his game itself, the imaginative feints, body contortions and ultra-high level of difficulty. Not to mention the mesmerizing handle, devastating crossover, warrior, play-through-every-injury mentality and refusal to quit on his teammates. Ever. It’s not that he had some misguided sense of altruism. He played with that passion and heart because it was how he played basketball. For all the media squabbles, off-color statements and other shenanigans, everyone knew that Iverson was going to give everything he had until his body shut down.
That’s why he hasn’t flown off into the sunset in a blaze a glory. It’s also why he hasn’t stopped playing the game of basketball. He’ll never have the flowery sending off that Shaq constructed. He’ll keep toiling away, whether in Europe, Asia or, if he’s lucky, the NBA. But he’ll never quit on his own terms. Something or someone will tear him away.
After Jordan’s iconic departure following the ’98 finals, someone needed to fill the void. Hakeem, Ewing, Duncan and Shaq had passed along the frontcourt torch with relative ease, but replacing Jordan was no easy feat. Allen Iverson was supposed to be the guy. Looking back, of course, we know that he was not. Instead the honor fell to Kobe Bryant, a man whose game and demeanor emulates Jordan in every way. But it took years before we accepted Kobe, because part of us knew that it was Iverson who inherited the throne. He was the No. 1 pick of the ’96 draft. He was the Rookie of the Year. But Iverson’s hand didn’t fit Jordan’s glove. In fact, Iverson’s hand fit no glove at all. He was constantly weaving his way through his NBA career, not on any particular set path or progression. So the story could only be told when it was close to finished. Kobe may always be perpetually chasing Jordan, but Iverson is an explorer, unique and never-to-be repeated.
So regardless of where Iverson lands in your rankings of the greatest ever, don’t forget him. Remember the impact he had on the NBA. Remember that beneath the questionable character and seemingly selfish attitude was a man just trying to play basketball. It’s why Dime’s vision statement says that, “Dime Magazine is Allen Iverson knifing through the heart of a defense. Unique. Quick. Beautiful. Dangerous. Equal parts talent and passion. The truth with style.â€
So here’s to you, Allen Iverson.
Happy Birthday.
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June 7th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Loso_atl30 says:
Revenge for how stern forced him out the league. Dope article tho.
June 7th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
what_if? says:
“Kobe may always be perpetually chasing Jordan, but Iverson is an explorer, unique and never-to-be repeated.”
true on all accounts… and maybe it’s also the reason AI won’t retire the same way others before him did… coz he ain’t like the others…
June 7th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Basketball Courts says:
Happy Birthday Allen, I have been a fan of yours for at least 8 years and I don’t think you will ever be forgotten!
June 7th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
kdthunderup says:
it’s too true – AI is one of a kind. nice piece overall. writing style itself mimics iverson’s own daring and slashing ways.
June 7th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Kudabeen says:
Hopefully he will find his way back into NBA arenas so he can showcase the parts of his game that are severely understated in his passing and ability to edify his teammates to enhance their confidence. He is still an icon to many of today’s NBA player. I don’t see how he doesn’t help a Thunder team or a Clipper team, or a more gritty team with athletes like Portland or Houston.
It is funny that he had his best years as complete player and floor leader in his last few years with the sixers and with denver, then he was just tossed a side and deemed a backup for the same reasons why the bias toward him begin even after John Thompson showed us all his value as a Lead Guard who scored…his size didn’t allow less innovative minds to imagine him being on the floor playing big. Even though he did that his whole career.
His attitude dictated much of where he landed, but Detroit and Memphis designating him as a bench player without an opportunity or respect to allow him to show his worth (which was apparent) wasn’t smart moves for either party at the time…Ah well. Never forgotten, but he will be put in that Wilt category, which isn’t good in that people find ways to not talk about your achievements to balance their own perception of what the game is or should be about.
June 7th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
barbosasamosa says:
Great work Dylan! Always enjoy your pieces!
June 7th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
heckler says:
Allen Iverson.
that nigga.
he’s that nigga that changed the culture. he’s that nigga that made philly bball beloved again. he’s that nigga that put reebok sneakers back on. allen iverson; that nigga.
he’s the nigga that dissed practice for commercials. that nigga that never accepted teammates nor structure. he’s that nigga that feuded with fans, media and coaches. that nigga that pistol whipped his wife. that nigga that made pat croce a name. allen iverson; that nigga.
he’s that nigga that couldnt fit with jerry stackhouse. that nigga that crossed jordan. that nigga that balled thru pain and more pain. that nigga who made #3 powerful and popular. he’s that nigga that did it his way.
allen iverson; that nigga.
he’s that nigga that made cornrows ok for people like rip hamilton. he’s that nigga that made tattoos the new shit since rodman. that nigga that made tyron lue his bitch. he that nigga that made “play every game like my last” gospel. allen iverson; that nigga.
he’s that nigga that aint get along with nobody. aint friends with nobody. that nigga that said he took jordans poster off his wall when he got to the league. he’s that nigga that transfused hip hop culture to mainstream sports. that nigga responsible for slam and dime. stephen a smith and stuart scott. allen iverson; that nigga.
he’s that nigga that reminded us FG%s matter. he’s that nigga that lead the revolt. that nigga that reminded us that FG5s dont matter. allen iverson; that nigga.
he’s that nigga that sent new trends. that nigga snatched your heart on the court. that nigga that gave you his on the court.
that nigga. allen iverson.
your nigga. our nigga.
allen iverson.
Happy Birthday,
my nigga.
June 7th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@heckler
Ive never been one to shy away from using to word nigga, but you just went off the deep end with that shit. That was mad ignorant and pointless. Its like you took a well written article then made it a piece of shit by your one post.
June 7th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Tre says:
LOL – BANG, my nigga!
June 7th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
rkirby says:
@Chicagorilla I actually appreciated that @heckler joint. it was tough
June 7th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
iCARNACKi says:
Good article. I will always be an Allen Iverson fan, everything about him. His reckless driving to the hoop, his crossing over of Jordan, his playing through any injury, his attitude, the fact he took a team that had no business winning 20 games to the NBA Finals and the fact he was the toughest pound for pound player the NBA has seen.
He is one of the Top 15 players of all time, if he was 6″ taller he’d have been Top 2.
Practice?
June 7th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
kennypayne says:
allen iverson changed the game. They had to change the defensive rules to stop this guy and shaq. You could see the absolute fear in defenders faces when they had to guard him. Only shaq, bird, jordan and hakeem produced that kind of fear.
While I would love to see him in the league next year, I kinda hope he doesn’t so he can go into the HOF soon.
June 7th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@rkirby
Yeh thats my bad. Im probably the only one posting on this article that doesnt think AI was the sh!t, but more like a piece of sh!t. Continue on with your misguided love for the one they call AI
June 7th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Lee says:
Yeah, he never quit on his teammates … unless it was practice. Oh, and the 42% shooting aint that great either. Tony Parker plays the same style and shoots around %50 and has 3 rings and a finals MVP.
June 8th, 2011 at 1:02 am
Kobeeeee says:
Would you guys also think that on a technical standpoint he was one of the best players ever – at least of the last 15 years?
June 8th, 2011 at 11:50 am
Kudabeen says:
@Lee
Tony Parker?? One he doesn’t play the same style, because he plays with Tim Duncan and Ginobli…Not saying parker isn’t a good player, but what is he great at? Penetration (of teammates wives)?
Out side of that, which is a product of great scheme and spacing what are you speaking of? Championships are a team accomplishment and he wasn’t the second best player on his own team for most of that…
Parker isn’t a better scorer, defender, playmaker, or even finisher than Iverson…
Parker better than Iverson for the Spurs maybe, but for those sixer teams…never