It’s been a long time coming and seemingly everyone knew it but Allen Iverson, but it appears that the A.I. comeback trail is officially over.
Surely we all remember back to a time when Iverson was regularly breaking ankles, embarrassing opposing guards, dropping buckets, and lighting up scoreboards at an alarming rate.
Hard to believe, but “The Answer” hasn’t played in an official NBA game since late in the ’09-’10 season in his 2nd stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, and hasn’t played pro basketball since 2011 overseas in Turkey.
Now 38 years old, Iverson has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately like when he narrowly avoided jail time for being behind more than $70,000 in child support back in June.
It’s been no secret that A.I. has had issues with money, alleged alcoholism, gambling, and divorce over the past few years but he seemed to at least get some reprieve financially as Reebok has recently re-issued his ever popular “Question” line of basketball shoes.
But why dwell on the negative when Iverson gave so much to the game of hoops by inspiring a whole generation to play every game like it was their last and to not be afraid to be themselves, even if that meant covering your body in ink and wearing cornrows as a way of self expression.
He will go down as arguably the best NBA player ever 6’0 and under, earning 11 All Star appearances, making the All NBA 1st Team 3 times, winning 4 scoring titles, and taking home the 2001 NBA MVP trophy.
He currently ranks 19th all time in points scored and is in select company with a career scoring average of 26.66 ppg, to rank 6th all time behind only Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Lebron James, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry West.
When it came to the postseason, few players turned it up a notch like Iverson, who ranks 2nd behind only Michael Jordan in postseason points per game average(29.73).
Who could forget his magical 2001 Playoffs run, where he out-lasted Vince Carter of the Raptors with dueling 50 point games, then when he famously dropped 48 points, and stepped right over Tyronne Lue, as his Sixers shocked the NBA universe to win Game 1 of the ’01 Finals.
It was also that year that Iverson started wearing his now trademark shooting sleeve to aid with his nagging bursitis, a fashion trend that continues to this day by star players like Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard.
Iverson was a huge favorite or THD over the years, and not just for his “We Talkin Bout Practice” rant, as he ranked as #31 on our Top 25 Players of All Time and ranks in everyone’s Top 10 when talking about the best shooting guards of all time.
By officially putting an end to any comeback attempt, Iverson will now be eligible for the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2015. Any bets on how soon we see tears of joy as A.I. will undoubtedly be a 1st ballot Hall of Famer?
Allen Iverson Ultimate Mix:
Allen Iverson 48 Pts Game 1 In 2001 Finals
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Allen Iverson Top 100 Crossovers:
Allen Iverson 55Pts/76ers Playoff Record:
Iverson Crosses Over Jordan:
Allen Iverson Practice:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
