NBA: 5 most culturally impactful players of the last 20 years
Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson was also known as, “A.I.”, and “The Answer,” the latter of which was an incredibly appropriate nickname. During a time where everyone wanted to be the next MJ and the NBA was searching for its identity, A.I. came in and announced that he was there to be totally himself.
This guy was 5-foot-11 (almost a midget for NBA standards) and could not care less about what anyone thought of him while being true to himself on the court and off it, inspiring other players to be themselves rather than trying to be the next MJ.
On the court, Iverson was a little dude proving he could hang tough with the big dogs. He used his size to his advantage with the smoothest handles and nastiest, ankle-breaking crossovers you will ever see dribbling around everyone. He was one of the smallest guys on the court but could dribble through anyone, shoot over anyone and even dunk on anyone while being incredible defensively stealing the ball with ease while being speedy enough to take it all the way down the court.
This style of play culminated with multiple scoring titles and even an MVP award in 2001, heroically becoming the shortest player to ever win the award and one of the most beloved by fans and players alike.
However, the NBA commissioner was not as enthralled with Iverson as the fans and players. Off the court, Iverson’s style brought together a marriage of hip-hop and basketball officially that was a long time coming, which culminated with him being so dope that he thanked Biggie, Tupac, and Redman in his hall of fame speech (this speech perfectly sums up Iverson and I highly recommend it).
Iverson was one of the first players, and the first truly notable player in the media, to have cornrows, tattoos, jewelry (large chains, diamond studs, etc.), wearing sleeves on his arms and legs during games as well as headbands.
Many players modeled their handles and playstyles after Iverson, two of the best guards of the last 20 years in Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul wear No. 3 (largely) because Iverson wore that number.
A.I. was truly The Answer.