Is Allen Iverson one of the most under-appreciated players ?

[Eja117]

Actually I respect him more than Bron, but he did sorta help usher in the era of players with amazing athleticism and talent, but no fundamentals or work ethic. Where it was cool to smoke a ton of weed and wear jewelry and blow all your money.

[fairweatherfan]

We talking bout a guy that never won. Not a champion. No no no. Not a champion. We talking bout a guy that never won. I mean we talkin bout a guy that never won. Never won a thing. How silly is that?

The only way Iverson never won a thing is if there's only one thing to win.  He got basically everything a player can get other than a ring.

[OsirusCeltics]

He's basically the ultimate version of what Monta Ellis is today.

At this very best, he won games by himself.  But he never made his team better, and he often made his team worse.

No, he's not under-appreciated.

I think taking an offensively challenged team where he was the only reliable scorer all the way to the Finals is making his team better

You can only have so many times to lead your team far, when there's not other stars on your team to help you

[staticcc]

Yes, he was listed at 6 feet which was generous and he STILL dominated!

[slamtheking]

if anything, he's still overrated. 

completely selfish chucker.  didn't make his teammates any better.  The argument that he single-handedly carried a weak team to the finals speaks volumes about the low quality of talent in the league at that time than it does about AI being a great player.

A great player makes those around him better and does what's needed to get his team wins.  AI was all about AI.  He only wanted to win on his terms and he would never consider adjusting his game/style to fit a team concept. 

Personally, I can't see how this player garners any respect from anyone who's more than a casual fan of the game.  I'll grant he was one tough little bugger and didn't back down from anyone on the court but it takes more than that to be a great player.

Interestingly, I've never heard another NBA player of his era say anything other than wonderful things about him and his game.

So, uh, there's that.

Again, I don't think the numbers really explain (or can really capture) what made Iverson such a special player. If you didn't see it, you missed out.

I saw his career.  I saw great players long before Iverson came along.  I've seen great players since Iverson left the league. 

I can recognize greatness when I see it.  AI was not a great player. 

[slamtheking]

he did sorta help usher in the era of players with amazing athleticism and talent, but no fundamentals or work ethic. Where it was cool to smoke a ton of weed and wear jewelry and blow all your money.

have to admit that's pretty true.  the beginning of the 'thug' in the NBA.

[TitleMaster]

I don't get the 'Toine comparison when Walker was a passing forward with a mediocre shot selection but who routinely deferred to Pierce for the tough shots. AI, pretty much, deferred to no one and pretty much ran the game the way he saw fit.

[Kiorrik]

We talking bout a guy that never won. Not a champion. No no no. Not a champion. We talking bout a guy that never won. I mean we talkin bout a guy that never won. Never won a thing. How silly is that?

:]] I see what you did thurrr

[Bahku]

this guy is one of the best to play the game for sure, and you never hear his name come up in convos other than to diss him. an elite scorer and super quick.

For a variety of reasons, he is one of the least liked players in CelticsBlog history ... I have spent many minutes and a tide of words trying to defend his basketball talents over his issues. There are some arguments you just can't win, depending on the arena of discussion, and the AI subject is one I've learned to stay away from, (other than presently, of course).

[greg683x]

I don't get the 'Toine comparison when Walker was a passing forward with a mediocre shot selection but who routinely deferred to Pierce for the tough shots. AI, pretty much, deferred to no one and pretty much ran the game the way he saw fit.

so then i would assume you never watched Antoine before Paul Pierce came to the celtics.

I'm in the same corner as all the guys who think hes one of the most overrated players ever.

In fact, LarBrd33, i think nailed it with his anaology of this pound for pound crap, so many guards his size could average big points if they took 30 shots a game.

As for the taking this horribly weak team to the finals, I bet most fans couldnt even think of the teams the Sixers beat on their way to the finals.  Even if they can, can you really say that Vince Carter had a supporting cast?  What about Ray Allen and the bucks??  I bet they werent any better than Diekembe, Snow, Aaron McKie, and Tony Kukoc.  The Eastern conference was embarrassingly weak back then.

[mgent]

Kobe hasn't practiced in 5+ years.  Nobody ever talks about that but with Iverson it's all you ever hear.

[D.o.s.]

if anything, he's still overrated. 

completely selfish chucker.  didn't make his teammates any better.  The argument that he single-handedly carried a weak team to the finals speaks volumes about the low quality of talent in the league at that time than it does about AI being a great player.

A great player makes those around him better and does what's needed to get his team wins.  AI was all about AI.  He only wanted to win on his terms and he would never consider adjusting his game/style to fit a team concept. 

Personally, I can't see how this player garners any respect from anyone who's more than a casual fan of the game.  I'll grant he was one tough little bugger and didn't back down from anyone on the court but it takes more than that to be a great player.

Interestingly, I've never heard another NBA player of his era say anything other than wonderful things about him and his game.

So, uh, there's that.

Again, I don't think the numbers really explain (or can really capture) what made Iverson such a special player. If you didn't see it, you missed out.

I saw his career.  I saw great players long before Iverson came along.  I've seen great players since Iverson left the league. 

I can recognize greatness when I see it.  AI was not a great player.

That last bit was in reference to the guy with the maroon font, not your post.

But, I disagree with your assessment. Not sure it'd be worth spending more time on this, as it's undoubtedly going to be a case of irreconcilable basketball differences.


As for the thug thing, that's really not worth anyone's breath.

[thirstyboots18]

I doubt that I have ever said one complimentary word about about A. Iverson, yet tonight I called Brian on his CLNS podcast and argued for AI's inclusion into the Hall of Fame.  Go figure.....

[Celtics18]

I greatly admired Allen Iverson during his prime years in Philly.  I loved that 2001 team.  They were a rugged, lunch-pail type defensive team led offensively by a shooter with absolutely no conscience,  other-wordly speed and quickness, great shot making ability, and one of the most impressive motors I've ever seen.

That kid was fearless, and he could ball.  To me, early 2000s Iverson was a joy to watch. 

[moiso]

Kobe hasn't practiced in 5+ years.  Nobody ever talks about that but with Iverson it's all you ever hear.

Kobe is practicing right now.