Allen Iverson had a complex NBA career, going from the top of the world to the bottom of the league and having issues adapting to new roles, which ultimately forced his exit from the association.
A lot has been said about AI’s career and the way the league ‘shut it down’ for the guard’s personality and everything he brought to the table. As one of the most talented players in NBA history, Iverson inspired a lot of players, including LeBron James, but he was also inspired by another legend before.
His relationship with Michael Jordan has been well documented, and whenever he has the chance, Iverson talks about it. The first meeting they had in the league was memorable, as Iverson crossed MJ over after His Airness called him the b-word during their first meeting.
Allen Iverson Always Looked Up To Michael Jordan
That’s not the end of the stories regarding Iverson and Jordan. During a recent conversation with GQ, the Answer talked about his style of play, saying that Jordan inspired it.
GQ: Where does the story of your playing style begin?
Allen Iverson: I learned from Mike. I always looked at him like a superhero. That was my guy. The way he wore his wristband, the bald head. I used to like when he had that bald head with the goatee and the brace around his shin, on his calf. The man was my hero. I remember crying back when the Pistons used to beat on him. My mom had a TV sitting on a dresser, and I used to sit this close to the TV [puts his hand up to his face], know what I mean? “Back up before you go blind!” That’s how much I loved him. I wanted to be that close to him. He gave me the vision to be a basketball player.
The 2001 NBA MVP went further and talked about the connection he had with Jordan and how that led him to try to be like Mike.
What do you mean by that?
I wanted to be looked at like him. I wanted to be feared like him. I wanted to be popular like him. I wanted to be in game situations like him. I wanted to dominate like him. I wanted to be the guy that walk up in the room and then drain the goddamn room, regardless of who in there.
These two had incredible duels on the court, having great moments whenever they went at it. Still, outside all that competition, they were really close, and Iverson never hesitated to pay respect to Black Jesus. Jordan always had love and respect for Iverson, which lasts to this day.
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