Allen Iverson has never been shy about giving respect to the legends who shaped the game, and in a new interview with CBS News, the Hall of Famer revealed his Top 5 Greatest Players of All Time, a list that balances dominance, skill, and cultural impact.
When asked to name his all-time top five, Iverson didn’t hesitate.
“Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Shaquille O’Neal.”
It’s a list that perfectly captures Iverson’s own basketball philosophy, fearless, skill-driven, and grounded in respect for greatness that transcends eras.
Iverson has always been open about how much he idolized Michael Jordan growing up. Their first encounter in 1997 when a young Iverson famously crossed over Jordan, remains one of the most replayed moments in NBA history. Jordan’s six titles, five MVPs, and undefeated Finals record make him an obvious pick, but for Iverson, it’s about more than the numbers; it’s about mentality. Jordan embodied the competitive fire that Iverson modeled his own game after.
If Jordan inspired Iverson, Kobe was his contemporary and his equal in competitiveness. The two had many memorable duels, especially during the 2001 NBA Finals, where Iverson’s Sixers faced Kobe’s Lakers. Iverson has often spoken about his admiration for Kobe’s work ethic and drive.
Iverson’s inclusion of LeBron James reflects his appreciation for greatness across generations. Though LeBron entered the league as Iverson’s career was winding down, AI has long admired LeBron’s durability and versatility. LeBron’s four titles and all-time scoring record cement his place on the list, but Iverson’s respect comes just as much from LeBron’s longevity and leadership.
Picking Curry shows Iverson’s eye for how the game has evolved. Curry, like Iverson himself, revolutionized basketball. Just as Iverson brought streetball flair and authenticity to the NBA, Curry changed the geometry of the game with his shooting.
Iverson closed his list with Shaq, the most dominant big man of his generation. Despite being undersized himself, Iverson always respected power and presence, and Shaq embodied both.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Iverson has mentioned these exact five names. About a year ago, he picked the same lineup for his ultimate starting five, saying that those were the players he’d trust to win any game in basketball history.
That consistency shows how firmly Iverson believes these five legends represent the absolute peak of skill, dominance, and competitiveness, the traits he’s valued most throughout his own Hall of Fame career.
