Allen Iverson came into the league with considerable hype in 1996. He was the first overall pick as a small guard, but he earned that distinction for being an extremely skilled and fearless player for Georgetown. He never shed that reputation because AI always took on the toughest challenges.
Despite being a 6'0" and 165-pound guard, Iverson loved driving into the paint. That mindset made him a respected figure because he was never afraid of what could happen, especially when he scored against a big man like Shaquille O'Neal.
While everyone could see his ascent to superstardom, some were unconvinced of his willingness to win. That group included Indiana Pacers superstar Reggie Miller , who only realized AI's commitment to winning after a 2000 Playoffs series.
"During his third year in Philadelphia, he got his first taste of the postseason, against us. We basically murdered them. But he had a great series," Reggie said to GQ. "And I remember, when it was over, him going to the bench with a towel on his face, crying. It hurt that bad. And I said to myself, He's special. Because they had no shot at beating us. But he felt that they could. All true athletes believe they can conquer."
Iverson's self-belief was through the roof
While Iverson had all the talents you would want in a star player, his belief in himself set him apart from other players. His confidence that he could do anything he wanted made him a bold player who could keep up with his opponents. AI took on every big man imaginable, as he would challenge them at the rim and score a layup or floater.
Iverson even endured being physically mauled during those drives to the rim. He withstood every foul committed against him, which made him more endearing to the casual NBA fan.
This was an innate characteristic for Allen because he was already confident no one could stop him in the NBA during his rookie year. It never faded because that relentless attitude made him one of the best players in the league despite the size disadvantage compared to his peers.
Iverson did not win a title, but he deserves respect
The main criticism of Iverson's career was his lack of a championship. The closest he was to a title was during the 2001 NBA Finals when he carried the Philadelphia 76ers to a Game 1 victory against the titan Los Angeles Lakers. Unfortunately, that win would be the only saving grace for AI and his team because they would continue to lose four straight games.
Despite a lack of a championship on his resume, Iverson earned everyone's respect. He stayed loyal to the 76ers for as long as he could, but they could not surround him with the talent to help him win a championship.
One can never go against his willingness to win for Philly because despite being overmatched, like during the playoff series against Indy and L.A., he had an irrational belief he could carry his team to the win.
Related: "We might be talking about the greatest player who ever played" - Larry Brown said he could've made Allen Iverson the GOAT
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