Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own site, Hoops Haven.
Many of us here at The Hoop Doctors are diehard fans of “The Answer” Allen Iverson. In my mind he is pound-for-pound, one of the best players in NBA history, and is quite possibly the best player 6’0 and under this league has ever seen(with all due respect to Nate “Tiny” Archibald). In this generation, their has never been a player who wore their heart on their sleave, whether good or bad, like Iverson. Once he finally decides to hang it up, Allen will undoubtedly be a 1st ballot Hall of Famer as the Sixers will surely make sure that no other player ever wears his signature #3 jersey again. Now that he has just retired un-retired and gone back to Philadelphia where it all started, what better time to honor the original A.I., Allen Iverson with his very own multi-part Player Rewind Series, featuring some hidden gems caught on video showcasing “The Answer’s” biggest and best moments in his HS, NCAA, and NBA career.
Part Five – All Star Game MVP
While many players are superstars and are annually chosen to participate in the NBA All Star Game, a very select few can excel above and beyond all the other great players and become an All Star Game MVP. Iverson was such a special talent that he accomplished this feat twice in his career.
In winning his first All Star Game MVP in that magical 2001 season for both the Sixers and Iverson, he lit up the scoreboards for 25 points, with 15 of them coming in the 4th quarter, in leading the East to a huge comeback win. The most memorable moment has to be after the game when David Stern hands A.I. the trophy and the first thing Iverson asks for is his coach, Larry Brown.
In winning his 2nd MVP Award in ’05, A.I. was again the best player on the floor by dropping 15 points, 10 assists, and 5 steals. The event was held in Denver, where Iverson would be traded nearly one year later.
Although he didn’t win the MVP Award, the ’03 All Star Game was probably Iverson’s best statistically when he dropped 35 points. The award went to Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett, who dropped 37 points. But we all will undoubtedly remember the game as Michael Jordan’s last All Star Game. Iverson gave up his starting spot on the East squad to honor MJ.
