Allen Iverson in retrospect

NBA Legend Allen Iverson is honored as the Philadelphia 76ers retire his #3 jersey during a halftime ceremony of the Washington Wizards game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center March 1, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

As I look back at the career of Allen Iverson I remember a player who gave maximum effort on the floor each and every game and almost every night right until when the game clock displayed zeros. He was also the best player on the floor for that contest.

In a sport where height along with talent is of greatest importance he became the exception. His heart mitigated his lack of height. He would relentlessly attack the rim with little or no regards for his body. He would dive on the floors for loose balls and catapult himself into the seats to keep plays alive. Many nights he went into battle out gunned and under manned but alas, when the game concluded, more often than not the Sixers were victorious.

A.I. is easily , in my opinion , an NBA top 50 player of all time and arguably the most dynamic player UNDER six feet tall ever. This writer also believes A.I. is a top 4 all time 76er.

My opinion of Iverson was predictaed exclusively on his performance during game time. I believe this to be the proper method to evaluate any player, however a portion of me wonders often how much more effective he would have been if he worked on his craft during practice i.e. Jordan or Kobe even Lebron. Perhaps he could have elevated his play & the play of his teammates if he was a willing/consistent participant in practice ? But lets not travel too far down that rabbit hole….

This author granted A.I. partial absolution for practice transgressions the minute he kissed the Sixers logo at center court upon his return with Denver. Yes, at times, even the person holding the pen assumes the role of a fraud. So if you are a stats geek like many of us, scrutinize the career stats of the the little guy with the huge heart. Remember also to factor his height into the context of your placement of him in the NBA all time conversation.

His all time elite talent was unquestionable. As was he disire to win once the ball was thrown up at center court. Enhancing all the memories of the crossover, knee locking, ankle breaking dribbles( ask Jordan), all the behind the back passes and steals, and cross court bounce passes, the 40 point nights, the 50 point nights, is his sincere love for Philly and its fans.

For all this Allen Iverson in retrospect, we thank you.