Allen Iverson Will Forever Be Relevant To Philadelphia

Allen Iverson gave as much as he received to fans of basketball, but especially to Philadelphia. We call it courage and love.

Where do you start an article about Allen Iverson “The Answer”? With one of his heartfelt quotes, of course:

He was a special kind of player, a player whose passion for the game resonated with both the fans in the bleachers, and with the magnitude of play on the court.  He delivered over and over.

But he did more.  He changed the game of basketball, and the city of Philadelphia, forever.

In his 13th and final year in the NBA, Allen Iverson scored 13.9 points per game, averaged 31.9 minutes, and dished out 4.1 assists. Had that 2009-2010 season happened for the 76ers this past year, he would have been third in scoring, second in minutes per game, and third in assists.

He arrived to the NBA as the first pick of the 1996 NBA Draft. How befitting that 20 years later, the Philadelphia 76ers have a number one rookie to turn the franchise around, again. But that story is for another time.

Today is about Allen Iverson.  Today is about a young man who rebelled, who challenged the authority around him and his own limits, but grew into the ultimate statesman for a city and a sport which have become family.

Allen Iverson was a special player who could make incredible basketball plays seem routine and common.  But he did something very special for the sport of basketball – he transcended the sport, merging the fashion and culture of hip hop on the basketball court.

Allen Iverson entered the NBA as the “Royals” Charles and Dianne divorced.  He finished his rookie season the year Dianne died in a car crash. Young people sought someone to idolize.  Allen Iverson was the anti-role model. He was an undeniably gifted athlete and a rebel at a time when even the most adherent-to-the-rules folks appreciated a touch of the challenge to authority.

Much like Philadelphia 76ers who came before him, he branded so well that he became the fashion of the NBA.  He wore an arm sleeve on a night he scored 51 points, which has since revolutionized NBA fashion into both arm and leg sleeves.  Iverson rocked corn rows, which was his solution to the constant pressure from the NBA to keep his hair short.

He continued the pattern of baggy shorts set by Michael Jordan, while adding a flair to the game of tattoos as well.

It was the “I am what I am” culture, the embodiment of courage in a rebellious way. His attitude rubbed many the wrong way. But it was the first time anyone dared to resist the “Because I said so”.

His personna changed the city. His attitude inspired hearts and minds of young people and encouraged them to ask”Why?”.  He inspired players to follow his path of doing it their way in the NBA.

You needn’t agree with his methods all the time. But he has embodied the soul of a city. For that he deserves more than respect.  This weekend he earns his place in the National Basketball Association Hall of Fame.

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But he earned a place far more prestigious years ago. He earned the hearts of Philadelphia. Far fewer in sports have done so.

I applaud you Allen Iverson. You did it your way.