"I don't think so"- Allen Iverson in 1996 on if there's anybody who could stop him in the NBA

allen-iverson

Apart from raw talent and mental toughness, Allen Iverson also had that brimming confidence in him since Day 1. One particular instance that truly showcased A.I.’s unwavering self-belief was when he said nobody could possibly stop him 1-on-1 in the NBA.

For additional context, “The Answer” made that bold assessment during one of his NBA Draft Day interviews. That said, it’s safe to say Iverson already knew he didn’t come to the league to take part, but he came to take over.

“I don’t know. I hope not. I don’t think so,” Allen told Craig Sager in an interview in 1996.

Even MJ believed Iverson could beat him

True to his word, Iverson quickly made his presence felt in the NBA during his rookie season. He finished his maiden year with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 23.5 points per game to rightfully win the Rookie of the Year award and established himself as one of the best 1-on-1 players of his time.

Even Michael Jordan once expressed his immense respect for Allen’s skill set as an individual player. Jordan recognized that A.I.’s speed, craftiness, and shooting ability made him a formidable opponent for anybody in the NBA, even for someone as legendary as himself.

The way MJ saw it, Iverson had what it took to beat him in a one-on-one game, but only if he utilized his mid-range game. But down the paint, Michael said it would be a no-brainer who would dominate who.

“I’m never the type of guy that says; I can’t get shown up. I just try to limit these opportunities. So, I’m not going to try to make it 1-on-1 between Allen Iverson and myself. You never know, if we play 1-on-1 again, I think he could beat me on the perimeter, but I could take him on the post,” Jordan once said.

Iverson went down in history as one of the greatest 1-on-1 players of all time

At just 6 feet tall, Allen’s stature might have been small by basketball standards, but his aptitude for scoring was incredible. Throughout his career, A.I. dazzled fans with his slick crossovers, unbelievable athleticism, fearlessness, and uncanny ability to create scoring opportunities out of thin air, ultimately making him arguably the most unstoppable 1-on-1 player of his era.

In his prime, “The Answer” was the best definition of a scoring machine. Iverson finished his career with an impressive average of over 26 points per game and four scoring titles to his name, solidifying his status as one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history.