<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On one level he endeared himself to underdogs and kids alike as the toughest little daredevil in the NBA with his relentless attack on the basket. On another he estranged himself from mainstreamers as a defiant Generation Xer who defensively justified his rebellious bravado. Not anymore. Seven months after celebrating his 30th birthday, five months after the birth of his fourth child and 2? months after the tip-off of his 10th season, Iverson has reinvented himself as one of sport's most transcendental stars. He has not only rearmed his high-octane game but recast his image. Unfathomingly, the Philadelphia 76ers guard has added a step at a fragile age and size (6-1, 165) when most in basketball expected him to lose one. He says he's playing smarter. "It's just learning the game more," Iverson says. "Just trying to approach it in a John Stockton-type of way, to where you don't play so much with your physical ability all the time. You have to think the game out a lot more. That's where I'm a lot better. I know the game a lot more. I see things before they happen a lot." Entering tonight's home game against the Utah Jazz, the four-time NBA scoring champ is averaging a career-best 33.3 points (second to Kobe Bryant's 34.1) and, at 45.2%, challenging his career best in field goal percentage (46.1%). Iverson's also leading (through Monday) in average minutes (43.1), field goal attempts (882) and free throw attempts (385), is fourth in steals (2.1) and is eighth in assists (7.3) ? all on a 17-17 team. Off the court, he's grown as well, reshaping his image ? as a leader who no longer rocks the team boat; as a model NBA citizen who even adheres to the new dress code; as a patriot who considers playing for the U.S. Olympic team an honor instead of an imposition; and as a father who doesn't want to embarrass his children. The dramatic transformation of the six-time All-Star and 2001 MVP hasn't gone unnoticed. Strait-laced, NBA old-schooler Jerry Colangelo, the new USA Basketball boss, says it's the "new Allen Iverson," and NBA Commissioner David Stern applauds Iverson as an "international icon."</div> Full Story
There is nothing more to be said about this article that has not already been said about Frosted Flakes. It’s more than good it’s greattttt! Couldn't resist. Anyway, it was definitely a good article really putting everything a 76er fan has felt for about a season and a half now into a one page article. I find it incredible that even after you read off the numbers that Iverson is averaging this year, and all the things he has accomplished since coming to a team who won an all time NBA low in games, people will still find some way to say he is not a great player. Like that one time earlier in the season when a guy was saying Iverson was not a great player because of his field goal percentage, well now he is shooting 45%, anyone seen that guy around to give Iverson his props?
Anyone who says Iverson is not a great player must be drunk... I might not be his biggest fan but the guy has balls. He is 6'0 yet he isnt afraid to take it the big guys time after time. The thing I like about Iverson is he never takes a day off. He plays everygame with heart and intensity and I like that about him only if more players would follow his lead. He has my respect the guy has game simple as that....
