Question the Answer

Allen Iverson. Hall of famer, game changer, cross over master, controversy broker, underdog keeper, hip hop ambassador, elite scorer, and now hall of famer. The chronicled life of Allen Iverson showered our screens the past couple of weeks, reminding us of the tidal wave of emotions the former NBA MVP brought to the world of basketball. While watching Iverson’s hall of fame speech, I couldn’t help but question the grandeur in which he was presented. Kids today revel in Iverson’s style of play and hold him as the true basketball underdog to grace the hardwood. Defying odds, at 6 foot, slicing defenders on his way to scoring titles, one NBA finals appearance and the adoration of fans worldwide. The flashy, heart powered gaurd gave it all and made nosebleed tickets worth every penny. Yet when it comes to basketball achievements or “results” for use of a better word, Iverson was just a solid franchise player. Iverson’s stigma stems from being an inspirational player with athletic talent that could have starred in a variety of other sports. Is Iverson one of the best players in the history of the game? Was he even better than other franchise players? The basketball answer is no, the popular answer is yes.

There are a host of NBA players that were seconds away from winning an NBA championship, who led their team in a variety of different ways, yet are never mentioned with legendary fanfare like Iverson. Three players come to mind: Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller, and Patrick Ewing. Three ringless players that have done more for their teams, achieved what Iverson has with more consistency, over a lengthier time span. We love to compare basketball players, but it is hard to watch all this adoration for a charismatic figure like Allen Iverson, without thinking of other players that defied tougher odds and carried franchises. These aforementioned players are all hall of famers, but we are quickly reminded that beyond flash, headbands, cornrows and crossovers there will always be results, guarding, vindicating and proving the answers to most of our questions.

Clutch? Let’s replace the Iverson fade away jumpshot/Ty Lue step over with countless Reggie Miller daggers in the dying seconds of playoff games. Everyone knew it was coming, defenders scrambled to no avail. Bank shots, 11 points in 2 seconds, dunks to tie overtime playoff games, and draining 3s in Michael Jordan’s bubble gum. Taking MJ’s Bulls to 7 games and never backing down from the greatest is where Reggie showed what kind of mettle is in the pedal. Crossing up Jordan is one thing, almost dethroning him with the slowest point guard in the history of basketball in Mark Jackson, body builders like the Davis brothers, Travis Best and a flat footed Jalen Rose is another. Indiana was Reggie, probably still is. A clinical example of talk the talk and walk the walk, Miller was just as valuable an underdog that took the stage when it mattered most and battled in the tranches of the NBA playoffs far longer than Allen Iverson.

Defying odds? You want to talk about pound for pound, Charles Barkley stacked on too many pounds, but that Charles Barkley was 6’4 and playing the power forward position and playing it well, very well. Good enough to be the league MVP and lead the suns in every statistical category, while leading his team to the best record in the league for 3 straight seasons. There is no player that had his heart ripped out, specifically by the eventual champion Rockets, more than Charles Barkley. Charles dominated the position, with strength, wit, fight and a bullying demeanor that blew the lanes wide open with fear. No superstar was closer or more deserving of an NBA title than Charles Barkley. Today’s persona is the fun loving controversial Chuck that loves to surprise peoplewith his predictions, causing hate, laughs and a big paycheck for the former MVP. Back in Chuck’s playing days, his opponents feared him and for good reason.

Allen Iverson is the embodiment of a hard working city like Philly, well Patrick Ewing was New York for more than a decade, without Patrick, the Knicks were in the doldrums of the NBA lottery. He made the Knicks a regular contender and was one spin move away from leading his team to their first title since 1973. Repetitively facing MJ and his Bulls, the 90’s Knicks trained the Bulls superiority. The Knicks were a team that consistently had the best shot to take down the greatest team in history.

We will not list all the stats and accolades, the preverbal “we” will leave that for you to judge. Iverson was a transcendent sports figure, to say that we must understand the impact of fashion, music, conformity as well as the racism battle in America. All of which contributed to Iverson’s amazing story. But when it comes to basketball, Iverson is looking up to the Isiah’s or even the Steph Curry’s of the world, because even today in our highlight infused goldfish attention spans, we know that results are the vital answers.

Which stars would you put ahead of Allen Iverson?

Webber, Malone, Nash, Kidd?

Much love and basketball,

Rambeeni