Allen Iverson 's infamous practice rant has long been etched in the NBA lore, offering his candid attitude toward pre-game preparations. However, that wasn't the only instance in the 11-time All-Star's career where his unconventional demeanor was displayed.
During his collegiate basketball days, JJ Redick had the opportunity to witness the Philadelphia 76ers live in action. However, the Duke was stunned when he observed A.I. come late to practice and only step on the court in his socks.
JJ was shocked to see Iverson play without his shoes
During an episode of his podcast, 'The Old Man & The Three, ' JJ recalled how, during his college days at Duke, the 76ers held their training sessions at the Blue Devils' training facility. This arrangement gave him a chance to witness the legendary guard in action but in a very unusual way.
"I just remember going to a practice, and AI walked in a tad tardy. He played for the first 15 minutes - live basketball, by the way - in socks," Redick said . "I was like, 'What is happening here?'"
So, did 'The Answer' never take his practice session seriously? Apparently, that is a myth. He once shared that apart from the drills coach Brown had him do, he adored the five-on-five scrimmage sessions because it gave him a chance to work on his game-based skills.
A.I.'s infamous practice rant
AI's 2001-02 season starkly contrasted his previous campaign. Despite leading the league in scoring and steals for the second consecutive year and improving his averages, the Philadelphia 76ers struggled. The team's 43-39 record and first-round playoff exit fell short of expectations following their 2001 NBA Finals appearance.
This decline in team performance led to increased scrutiny, particularly from coach Larry Brown, who openly questioned the 6'0" point guard's commitment to practice. When confronted by reporters about these criticisms, Iverson delivered his now-infamous response, mentioning the word 'practice' 22 times.
However, the media's fixation on the word 'practice' completely neglected the full context of the 2001 MVP's statement. Not only was Iverson coping with the tragic death of his best friend, but his kids were also being harassed over his trade rumors.
Moreover, even if the two-time All-Star Game MVP wasn't too keen on practice, he managed not only to lead the league and steals for a second consecutive season but also showed his dedication by leading the league in minutes played.
Given that Iverson was one of the most misunderstood superstars to have graced the NBA, the speculation that he didn't like practice is entirely unfounded.
Related: “My legs were moving faster than my mind was” – Allen Iverson reveals why he struggled in the EC semis against the Raptors in 2001
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