Allen Iverson was one of the most influential basketball players of his time. His swagger, stature, and personality appealed to fans in a way very few have replicated since.
But, according to head coach Steve Kerr, he is similar in a lot of ways to current NBA superstar, Russell Westbrook. In a chat on 95.7 The Game’s Damon, Ratto & Kolsky, he explained why.
“For me, looking back, I love Iverson,” Kerr said. “I love his passion. I love his energy. I love just his will. I think, in many ways, he was a lot like Russell Westbrook, where maybe he’s not everybody’s cup of tea. Maybe you don’t love certain aspects of his game, but you just have to admire his ferocious athleticism and desire that’s apparent every single night. And that’s what I loved about AI.”
For those that got to enjoy A.I. in his playing days, you’ll know what Kerr is talking about. He played with a certain level of passion and energy that we see in guys like Westbrook today.
And while that unapologetic, full-force style might rub some folk the wrong way, they can never be accused of not giving their full effort.
They always show up to play, and are always ready to battle. Most of the time, it’s a truly magnificent thing to watch.
