In an appearance on the Podcast P show, NBA veteran Matt Barnes gave his thoughts on former 76rrs star Allen Iverson. As Barnes said on the podcast, Iverson’s legacy is unique in that he was beloved by the city and the fans in a way that nobody else has been able to replicate.
“I’ve got to play with Kobe [Bryant], Shaq, Steph [Curry], [and Kevin Durant]. I’ve never seen anybody love a person more than people loved Allen Iverson… People are just mesmerized by this dude,” said Barnes on Podcast P.
Barnes went on to speak about a young Iverson fan who was famous in the 2000s, who dressed in the full get-up, including cornrows and all. That fan perfectly illustrates the love and appreciation people had for Iverson back in the day as a player, man, and cultural leader. Barnes used the word “mesmerized” to describe the feeling.
“I’ve never seen it. In visiting cities, they’ll boo the team and cheer for him,” said Barnes. “People are just mesmerized by this dude, and it makes sense because he did so much on and off the court through fashion, his game…”
Allen Iverson was the heart and soul of the 76ers from 1996-2007, when he was traded to the Denver Nuggets in a controversial deal. Up to that point, Iverson was widely regarded as one of the best scorers in basketball and he earned a massive following of fans due to his likable personality, fierce competitive spirit, and awe-inspiring skill set.
Today, while Iverson has long been retired, his legacy still looms over the franchise, if not for his lasting relationship with the city rather than for the unfortunate way in which it came to an end.
Allen Iverson Is A 76ers Legend
Love him or hate him, you cannot deny the energy that Iverson brought to the Sixers franchise. And while his tenure was far from perfect, Iverson hasn’t admitted to any regrets along the way. In fact, according to Iverson, he shares a special bond with the city of Philadelphia that is unmatched by any athlete.
“I became a man in Philadelphia,” said Iverson in a chat with the media last year. “I was 21 years old when I got there. As far as an athlete and a fanbase, there’s no other relationship like mine with the people in Philadelphia.”
Iverson was drafted first overall by the 76ers in 1996, and he made his first All-Star team three years later. By the time he won his first MVP in 2001, Iverson had the whole world on notice, and he made highlights every night with his flashy moves and unwavering confidence.
In 12 seasons with the 76ers, Iverson averaged 27.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game on 42% shooting. Unfortunately, for all the hype and excitement around Iverson, he was never able to deliver on winning a championship, and he retired in 2010 with just a single Finals appearance to his name.
Even so, Iverson captured the spirit of the city like nobody else, and he gave them everything he had during his best years there. Today, it’s Joel Embiid who is running the show, but he still has a long way to go before he can reach the heights of Iverson and others in terms of fan approval.
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