Allen Iverson’s brilliance continues to mesmerize. As well as evoke controversy.
On the eve of the fifth season since ‘The Answer’ last graced an NBA court, reigning league MVP Kevin Durant is still saluting him as “pound for pound the best” to ever do it.
The two happened across each other over the weekend, providing Durant with the cause and forum to also opine on his Instagram page “Chuck (yet another of Iverson’s alter egos) too real. He changed the way we ball. He changed the culture of ball. He paved the way. He’s a legend and I’m just walking the path he created. I could go on and all.”
Seems you always can where A.I. is concerned. Beyond being an 11-time all-star, four-time scoring champion, and one-time league MVP, the brash and fiery “warrior” remains almost as revered for what he came to represent off the court. Iverson’s hip hop style, unwavering attitude, and overly candid personality elevated him to the ranks of cultural icon and still make him a God among those who have most championed his approach to life.
But does that really make him the G.O.A.T. of Hoops Nation? Certainly, Iverson has some of the game’s biggest hitters willing to make somewhat of a case for him. In addition to Durant, less than a year ago no less than LeBron James also marveled of him “pound-for-pound, probably the greatest player who ever played.”
King James later sermonized “I watch (Michael) Jordan more than anybody for sure. But I’ll watch tapes of A.I., too. I don’t take anything from A.I.. Well, I do — his will. He played like a 6-8 2-guard. He was one of the greatest finishers we’ve ever seen. You could never question his heart. Ever. He gave it his all.”
Yes, you can rightfully argue that at 6 feet and 165 pounds, the tough-as-nails Iverson got more out of his diminutive frame and God-given abilities than anyone else in history, but is that distinction alone truly justification enough for elevating him to the level of greatest of all time?
Just for direct comparisons sake, Iverson’s best statistical season came in 2005-06 when he averaged 33 points, 7.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds, while Jordan’s best campaign came with the Bulls in 1986-87 when he averaged 37.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.9 steals. His answer to MJ’s run of six titles in eight seasons was just one NBA Finals appearance in 2001.
Still, Allen Iverson remains nothing if not revered. “I take pride in wearing N0. 3 because A.I. wore No. 3,” added Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade.
With all the love and praise yet heaped on him, it makes one wonder why, at just 39 years old, Allen Iverson now remains so estranged from the game. But hopefully the tide may soon be changing.
Iverson recently came out of a self-imposed exile of sorts to embark on a trip to Manila to take part in a series of events where organizers insist “we’re introducing him as a coach.”
Allen Iverson and all true hoops fans can only hope the junket comes to mean what it professes it will. We can all agree greatness should always be seen.
