For those from Generation Y, also known as Millenials, Philadelphia 76er basketball has only been defined by one man: Allen Iverson.
AI stood just 6’0″, 165 lb., but he epitomized toughness, playing through countless injuries despite basing his game on getting to the hoop, where a man his size can take a beating.
He was the classic flashy player, using between-the-legs crossovers and playground-style circus shots to establish his unpredictability and strange-hold on fans, as well as whatever game he was playing in.
You might remember a guy named Michael Jordan. Even he would not be spared by AI’s path of phenomenal flash.
AI was a hero to some, his care-free demeanor and street-tough attitude endearing him to some fans, and his success at his size making kids everywhere believe they could make it.
Others weren’t fans of his lack of professionalism (below) and what some perceived as a selfish style of basketball, leading some outlets to later document theories of why Iverson’s NBA career came to an inauspicious end.
Whatever you thought of Iverson, his style of play led to highlights for the ages, and despite being surrounded by subpar talent most of his career, he once took Philadelphia to the NBA Finals, the same year he won his only MVP award.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OppxKDj44E
Many described Iverson as fearless in his style of play, something that, much like people’s opinions of AI, had its ups and downs.
The same could be said of Iverson’s career against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with plenty of big games to be had, with others coming up short.
Here’s a few of the positives from The Answer’s career against Minnesota.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyOejBU0iKY
Fearless.
On more than a few occasions for Iverson, that fearlessness got the better of him, specifically with his willingness to hoist jumpers, as he could single-handedly shoot the 76ers out of a game.
Count Jan. 9, 2000 as one of those evenings, as Philadelphia came to Target Center to take on the Wolves.
Iverson’s trigger finger must’ve been particularly itchy, as he put up an outrageous 35 shots in the contest, making just 12.
The rest of Philadelphia’s starting lineup also put up 35 shots…combined.
How ridiculous is it to put up 35 shots in one game? Well, even for Iverson it wasn’t commonplace, as he put up that many just one other time in the 1999-2000 season.
Even in his most eager year, AI averaged just 28 shots per game, although “just” is used very relatively in this situation.
Minnesota would come out victorious, winning 123-112 behind a triple-double from Terrell Brandon (yeah) and 23 points from Malik Sealy (R.I.P.).
Iverson eclipsed 40 points three times in his career against Minnesota, while also having days like the infamous shot-fest known as Jan. 9, 2000, thus was the ying and yang of The Crossover King.
These days, the 76ers are in a much worse place without Iverson than they were with him, putting up just one winning season since he was traded in the middle of the ’06-’07 season, and sitting at 7-15 in the lackluster Eastern Conference heading into their matchup with Minnesota tonight.
As for Iverson, he too has seen better days, with an ex-wife currently seeking a restraining order and $200 million reportedly gone, leaving AI broke.
The glory days for the Wolves opponent Wednesday and their former star are gone, but though its been three years since Iverson has been in the NBA, the league is still benefiting from the 14 years Allen gave it.
