Image via Complex Original
By the late '90s, a lot of basketball fans were caught up in Michael Jordan's final (good) years. Meanwhile, a star was being molded in Philadelphia. The Sixers had spent most of the Jordan decade in mediocrity, but Allen Iverson—a hard hitter straight out of Georgetown— would be the man to lead them back to relevance going into the new millennium.
Iverson was part of a new generation of athletes who would come to dominate the sports conversation. His famous crossover of Jordan wasn't a passing of the torch; The Answer tried to snatch it. That's a disrespectful gesture to the GOAT, but that was part of what made his game so entertaining: He'd assert his presence, even if he had to step on opponents in doing so. Except he's 6'0", so he'll just have to jump over them (if their name isn't Tyronn Lue, who got his ankles broken into infamy 12 years ago).
A.I. won the MVP in a year he willed his team to the NBA Finals (2001), won two All-Star MVPs, and earned four scoring titles in addition to many other accomplishments. His highlights also gave something for the little steppers back in the day to look up to. In commemoration of his 38th birthday, peep some of The Best of Allen Iverson and comment below if you have other highlights you'd like to share.
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17. Anklebreakers Overseas
Date: 10/8/2012
Matchup: Exhibition Match in China
Iverson was still catching dudes at the age of 37. Is anybody still hoping he makes one last run in the NBA?
16. Allen Iverson's Trick Pass to Antonio McDyess
Date: 12/17/2008
Matchup: Wizards @ Pistons
Could Iverson be trying to be a crowd-pleaser here? He could've easily tried to go for the layup, but he surprised with the assist. It had to be flashy, too.
15. Vince Carter gets a taste of his own medicine.
Date: 5/20/2001
Matchup: Raptors @ 76ers
This Eastern Conference Semifinals series featured the two highlight phenomenons: Vince Carter and Allen Iverson. The 76ers come out on top with the Game 7 victory, while Iverson came out on top (literally) in this instance. This was bad, but not even close to the level as this was .
14. Ron Harper Gets Posterized
Date: 2001
Matchup: 76ers @ Lakers
Did Harper offer himself up to be a poster? He had to get on a highlight somehow, right?
13. A.I. doesn't respect his elders.
Date: 12/20/2000
Matchup: Jazz @ 76ers
Fifteen-plus years of experience clearly isn't enough to guard A.I. Stockton is still one the greatest, but Iverson proved accolades won't save you against him.
12. Down Goes David Wesley
Date: 2000
Matchup: Pistons @ 76ers
David Wesley just never catches a break when he's guarding The Answer. You can literally make up a highlight reel of Iverson just violating the poor guard. Don't believe us?
11. Right Between the Legs
Date: 2/10/2009
Matchup: Suns @ Pistons
So you're saying Iverson can pass, but he just chooses not to?
10. Don Reid? FOH.
Date: 11/3/2000
Matchup: 76ers @ Magic
When you're Allen Iverson, height ain't nothing but a number. Even if you're Don Reid...Not that him being Don Reid necessarily means anything.
9. Taking Over the All-Star Game
Date: 2/11/2001
Matchup: East vs. West
The West was easily the more dominant conference in 2001, but the East came out on top in the All-Star Game. Actually, scratch that because it was really Iverson's night. The Answer took over in the final quarter to lead the East to victory and cap off his MVP performance. The GIF demonstrates that he did it in style.
8. R.I.P. to Jordan Farmar's Ankles
Date: 11/14/2008
Matchup: Pistons @ Lakers
Iverson has this weird habit of crossing some players into relevancy. True fans know Jordan Farmar isn't the only case.
7. Allen Iverson Sets Playoff Record
Date: 5/13/1999
Matchup: Magic @ 76ers
Yeah, Iverson's 33 points is pretty good, but the amazing part is the amount of cookies he snatched throughout the game. A.I.'s 10 steals still stands as the NBA playoff record. That's some serious hustle, even by Iverson's standards.
6. Dunking With the Hoyas
Date: 2/19/1996
Matchup: University of Connecticut vs. Georgetown
The Huskies ended up winning this Big East Championship matchup. But at what cost? A.I. stole the game with this dunk.
4. Good Effort Jacque Vaughn
Date: 12/10/2005
Matchup: 76ers @ Nets
Vaughn probably thought he had Iverson on lock when he pushed him all the way to the halfcourt line. Little did he know that it was a trap; Iverson was aiming to put him on his highlight reel.
3. Marcus Camby Gets an Unpleasant Surprise
Date: 4/19/1998
Matchup: 76ers @ Raptors
Allen Iverson's dunking ability is greater than his six foot frame would suggest. Marcus Camby found that out the hard way when he felt that "thud" on his neck. Ayo!
2. Tyronn Lue Becomes Famous
Date: 6/6/2001
Matchup: 76ers @ Lakers
Does any one know anything about Tyronn Lue besides this play? Didn't think so.
1. Allen Iverson Crosses His Airness
Date: 3/12/1997
Matchup: Bulls @ 76ers
You know you're the GOAT when getting crossed sort of becomes a sign of your greatness. Allen Iverson later remarked in an interview that MJ still almost blocked his shot even though he clearly got got in this sequence.