Allen Iverson joined the league with something to prove. He stood up to everyone he fought against without fear.
In the 1996 NBA Draft, Allen Iverson was the Philadelphia 76ers’ first overall pick. He was a small security guard, so he had a very lauded outlook, but had a scorer mentality. Iverson had a natural knack for breaking defenses with his dribbling ability.
He didn’t mind his previous defender as he was focusing on the laser on scoring points. During that rookie season, he averaged 23.5 points, 7.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
It was an epic first year. However, he frilled some feathers during his rookie years in the NBA. That includes Michael Jordan, whom he crossed in the legendary play, but he also told the Chicago Bulls star about trash.
As soon as Iverson entered the NBA, he had a tip on his shoulder. He wanted to prove he deserves a number one pick, as some people overlooked him. He was a smaller player, but he never made it a problem.
Iverson continues to attack the paint without fear, sacrificing his body against the rim’s biggest center. That made him one of the best players in the league, winning the Rookie of the Year Award, and then scoring titles in his career four times.
Also, as a player who wanted to prove himself, Jordan knew he wanted to play the same way Iverson could solidify himself as a star. That included moments when Iverson was a bit rude, and Jordan was attributed to an elite mentality.
“I think what happened at Iverson last year was probably the worst thing that happened.
“I think he was actually going to say he wasn’t scared of us. He wasn’t scared of us.
“It urged me to say, ‘If you’re planning on becoming a champion, or if you’re beating us, you’re going to have to respect us.’ If you don’t respect us, you have no chance. ”
Even if he finishes his career without a championship, Iverson will remain iconic. He was one of the players who attracted the attention of fans.
He has retired for over a decade, but people can still see his highlights and his influence throughout NBA history. Performances in the 2001 NBA Finals continue to be a big deal for people as they set records like Jordan.
Iverson is one of the few little guards considered a true superstar. He was the focus of the Philadelphia 76ers and people had no problem with it. It didn’t bring about the Iverson championship, but he still had a major impact on the sport.
Three-time champion Dwyane Wade sees Iverson as one of his biggest idols. It was enough for Wade to get Iverson to induct him into the Hall of Fame. Despite the lack of trophies, Iverson is engraved in NBA history books, due to his fearless attitude towards sports.