13. 2001 All-Star MVP
The 2001 All-Star Game was all but over entering the fourth quarter, with the West leading by 21 at one point. With nine minutes left, though, the tide turned — and Iverson was the reason why, leading a furious Eastern Conference comeback.
The soon-to-be MVP dropped 15 of his 25 points in the final frame, showcasing his knack for scoring against the league’s most talented players. Iverson was named All-Star MVP, which served as foreshadowing for eventual MVP honors at the season’s end.
It was Iverson’s typical scoring display, featuring electric crossovers, nasty stepbacks and impressive at-rim finishes. Overcoming a sizable deficit, Iverson’s scoring sparked the East’s 111-110 victory. It will go down as an all-timer.
Even with Iverson’s on-court display, however, what transpired after the game was equally as iconic. Iverson shouted “where’s my coach at?,” beckoning for Larry Brown. The two had a tumultuous relationship, but Iverson put the feud aside for a memorable moment.
In what would go down as the best season in Iverson’s 14-year career, All-Star MVP was one of several accolades tossed in A.I.’s direction. Given the magnitude of the game, the suspense behind the victory, and Iverson’s unmitigated brilliance, though, it still stands out.