allen iverson denver nuggets jersey

Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers StarTraded to Denver Nuggets

2007-12-21T07:06:00.000-08:00

Allen Iverson's basketball career is over. At 5:45 p.m. today the Philadelphia 76ers will announce that Allen Iverson has been traded to the Denver Nuggets for two players and both of Denver's 2007 first round draft picks. In exchange for Iverson the 76ers will receive guard Andre Miller and forward Joe Smith. Miller has three years remaining in a contract that will pay him $8.7 million this season and $19 million over the balance of the contract. Smith is in the final year of a contract that is paying him $7 million this season. The 76ers also will send rookie forward Ivan McFarlin to Denver as part of the deal.

Iverson has not played for the 76ers since being sent home 11 days ago when the 76ers announced their intention to trade their superstar. In the 15 games he has played in 2006, Iverson has averaged 31.2 points and 7.3 assists per game. McFarlin has seen limited action with the 76ers averaging less than 2 points in 11 game appearances.

Miller has played in all 21 of the Nuggets' games averaging 12.4 points and 9.2 assists per game. Smith has played in only nine games for the Nuggets averaging just 5.6 points per game.

The trade accomplishes the 76ers goal of not only trading Iverson, but quickly placing themselves in a position where they can rebuild with their own plus Denver's two first round picks in 2007. Don't be surprised if the 76ers package the two Denver picks to move up in the draft. If the draft were held today and the lottery were to go in order the 76ers would pick second. Denver's picks would be the 21st and 27th in the first round.

Iverson leaves Philadelphia as both one of the team's most popular players ever as well as one of the most controversial with his frequent run-ins with his coaches over his ten seasons in the NBA. Iverson will now have the chance to play for a team with a much better chance of winning an NBA championship, something which he has indicated he would like to do before the end of his career. In Philadelphia it was clear that the size and length of Iverson's contract restricted the ability of the team to build around him.

Allen Iverson with his shoes 1996 - 2002

2007-12-19T00:02:00.000-08:00

Reebok Answer V (2001-02)
Reebok Men's Answer V Mid DMX

Leather upper with ghillie lacing system for comfort and support, DMX I-pak cushioning unit for comfort and load distribution, 3D Ultralite bottom for lightweight, natural footstrike. Wt. 13.5 oz.

Price: $124.99

For more on this shoe, check out the RBK website

White/Grey

Grey/White

White/Flash Red (2002 All-Star Edition)

White/White

Black/Grey

Reebok I3 Playoff (2001)
Reebok Men's I3 Playoff DMX

Mid-cut design for added stability and support, full leather upper with unique lacing system for custom fit, DMX® I-pak technology for comfort and load distribution. Wt. 10.6 oz.

Price: $114.99

Black/White/Red/Gold

White/Navy

Reebok Answer IV (2000-01)

Reebok The Answer IV DMX
Original Price: $114.99

Allen's shoe for the 2000 - 2001 season features full leather upper with unique lacing system for comfort and support, DMC I-pak© cushioning for load distribution. 3D ultralite© compound for lihgtweight, natural footstrike. This shoe is avaiable at Eastbay.
Weight: 16 oz.

White/Blue/Grey

Black//Grey/Red

Reebok The Answer IV DMX Low
Price: $99.99

Full leather upper with unique lacing system for comfort and support, DMX® I-pak cushioning unit for comfort and load distribution, 3D Ultralite® compound for lightweight, natural footstrike. 14.3 oz.

White/Red/Grey

White/Grey

White/Black

Reebok Answer III (1999-00)
Reebok The Answer III

Original Price:$114.99

Iverson was really satisfied with the Answer III, as he expressed his love for these sneaks in an exclusive interview with EASTBAY. DMX® Lite sole for moving cushioning, load distribution, and a lightweight, natural footstrike; Full leather upper for comfort and stability; Traditional lacing system for custom fit and additional support. Try on the latest Answer DMX III shoe, with the DMX sole for exceptional moving comfort and support. Feel the difference of the moving air cushioning and ultralight fit in every slam dunk you make. Available from 23/10 98.

White/Black

White/Navy

White/Red

Grey/Navy

Reebok Answer II (1998-99)
Reebok The Answer II

Original Price:$114.99

How do you maximize your game? Here's the Answer! DMX lite for load distribution and improved foot strike, 3D Ultralite material for superior cushioning and a mid-cut design for ankle support. Breathable leather/syntetic upper keeps you light on your feet for lightening strikes to the basket. This one will be available in several colors, still, Allen has just worn three colors yet. He has worn a red/white one plus the gold/white and the black/white. Available from 23/10/98.

Black/White

White/Black

Navy/White

Reebok Answer I (1997-98)
Reebok The Answer

Original Price: $124.99

These are all the colors released of the popular shoe from Allen's second season in the league, Reebok The Answer. It features the DMX 10 technology, which provides active transfer cushioning driven by the player's stride.A full-grain leather upper with a mid cut design provides ancle support, while a hidden lacing system provides a superior fit. Still, they didn't sell better than the original Questions. It is one of the first basketball shoes released from Reebok featuring DMX cushioning. My experience with these shoes is that they are very well cushioned, but also very unstable and too heavy. This shoe is avaiable at Eastbay.Available in three colors: white/black/gold/red, black/white/gold and navy/white/gold. It's really amazing what Reebok has done with the Iverson shoes since the Question. This shoe is a lot better.
Weight: 17,1 oz.

Black/White

White/Red

Navy/White

Red/White

DMX Bottoms

Reebok The Question (1996-97)

Reebok The Question
Original Price: $124.99

Allen Iverson's shoe from his rookie season, the Questions. Full-grain leather upper. CMEVA midsole with Hexalite unit, which is Reebok's first cushioning to be used in an Allen Iverson sneaker, for lightweight, durable cushioning. Solid rubber outsole. These are the greatest shoes, in my opinion, Iverson has ever worn. They are stable, have great cushioning and a tremendous court traction. This sneaker was the most selling Reebok shoe ever which is quite amazing since Iverson was just a rookie when his sneakers were selling for the record. They have now been remade in all kinds of colors.

White/Blue

White/Red

White

White/Black

Yellow

Allen Iverson Quick Facts

2007-12-18T22:00:00.000-08:00

Nickname?	The Answer
Birthplace?	Hampton, VA (raised in Newport News, VA)
High School?	Bethel High School, Hamption, VA
College?	Georgetown University
Favorite College Subject?	Fine Arts
Residence (off-season)?	Newport News, VA
Hobbies?	Drawing
Favorite off-season activities?	Allen Iverson Celebrity Summer Classic
Most memorable NBA moment(s)?	Being drafted #1 overall in the draft.
Person you admired most growing up?	My mother
Favorite sport(s) other than basketball?	Football
Favorite athlete in another sport?	Roy Jones, Jr. (Boxing)
Favorite team?	Dallas Cowboys
Favorite DVD?	"Die Hard"
Favorite CD?	All Redman CD's
Favorite actor or actress?	Samuel L. Jackson
Favorite TV shows?	"Martin"
Favorite vacation spot?	Cayman Islands
Favorite food?	Lasagna
Favorite Restaurant in Philly?	TGI Friday's
Favorite home-cooked meal?	Wife and Mom's fried chicken
Favorite magazine?	Slam
Favorite book?	The Color Purple by Alice Walker
What was the last book you read?	For the Love of Money by Omar Tyree
Favorite book as a kid?	Sam I Am by Dr. Seuss

Allen Iverson ' s 2001-02 Season

2007-12-18T21:58:00.000-08:00

2001 season

Sixth NBA season (Philadelphia)

All-NBA second team selection

averaged an NBA high and career-high 31.4 points per game, second best single season average behind Wilt Chamberlain (33.5) in Sixers history

also led the NBA in steals per game (2.80) and minutes per game (43.7), the only player to lead the NBA in three statistical categories

missed 22 games due to injury: 14 with a left hand fracture (3/24 to 4/17) suffered at Boston on March 22, two games with a left thumb sprain (12/7 and 12/8), one game with a sprained right great toe (2/17) and the first five games of the season (10/30 to 11/8) rehabbing from right elbow surgery on Sept. 25, 2001

led the team in scoring 54 times and assists 28 times

scored a career-high, NBA season-high and tied the fourth best mark in Sixers history with 58 points versus Houston (1/15)

his 42 goals attempted were also a career-high and second to Wilt Chamberlain's team record 43 on Feb. 7, 1966

scored in double figures in 120-straight games (11/24/00-3/22/02), the longest active streak in the NBA

scored 30 or more points in 35 games (22-13), first in the NBA

scored 30 or more points in seven straight games (1/11 to 1/25) and was one game short of his longest 30 or more streak (eight from 12/29/99 to 1/17/00)

led NBA with nine 40 or more scoring games; team was 8-1

held to under 20 points just seven times all season

did not start versus New Jersey (3/1) due to a violation of team rules, the first time coming off the bench since Rookie season, and finished with 43 points

played all 48 minutes of regulation five times

ejected for the only time in season with 0:06.3 remaining in the game versus Toronto (2/4)

scored 10,000th career point versus Seattle (1/21)

finished with a game-high 38 points

had made 24 straight free throws in four games from Jan. 11 to Jan. 19, including a career day at the free throw line versus Houston (1/15) with 14-14 shooting

recorded season-low points in a game with 15 at New York (1/29)

versus LA Clippers (1/7), recorded his first career triple-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists

played and started third straight All-Star game on Feb. 10, 2002

named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January

named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the four times (3/4, 1/28, 1/21 and 11/19), including the first back-to-back awards since Karl Malone in 1997

2002 Playoff

averaged a team best 30.0 points, 2.6 steals and 41.8 minutes

was 45-118 (.381) from the field after going 15-45 in the first two games

led the team with 31 points in Game 5, including 20 first half points

scored the final eight Sixers points in the Game 4 win and finished with 28

finished with 42 points in Game 3 (5/3)

19 free throws in Game 3 (4/25) was a Sixers team record and 20 attempts were a playoff career-high

Game 1 at Boston (4/21), marked first game action since suffering a left hand fracture on March 22 at Boston

was cleared to play prior to the game

after scoring 15 points in the first quarter on 4-6 shooting, missed all nine shots in the second half and finished with 20 points.

Allen Iverson ' s 2000-01 Season

2007-12-18T21:56:00.000-08:00

Named the winner of the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the NBA's MVP ... started 71 games, missing 11 due to injury ... won his second scoring title in three years by averaging 31.1 point per game ... first player since Michael Jordan (30.4 per game) in 1996 to average more than 30 points per game ... NBA's steals leader with 2.51 and second in total steals (178) ... in the NBA, ranked 2nd in total free throws (585), 4th in free throw attempts (719) and 1st in minutes per game (42.0) ... Sixers were 12-5 when he scored 40 plus ... Sixers were 6-5 without Iverson in the lineup, all due to injury ... led the team in scoring in 65 of the 82 games ... .scored 20 or more in 61 of the 71 games he played in ... scored in double figures in 60-straight games to end the season ... scored 30 or more 35 times ... led the team in assists 14 times ... named to the 2001 All-NBA First Team ... named NBA Player of the Week twice (1/7 and 2/18) ... named the NBA's Player of the Month for January ... named the All-Star Game's MVP after leading the Eastern Conference All-Stars to a come from behind win at the MCI Center ... named a starter for the second straight season to the Eastern Conference All-Star team ... scored a career-high 54 points against Cleveland, the fifth best mark in franchise history and the second highest mark in the NBA this season ... recorded a First Union Center floor record with 20 points in the first quarter; finished with 42 points against the Clippers (2/16) ... scored all 10 of the Sixers points in overtime against Toronto (1/21) to give him 51 for the game, his second 50-point plus game of the season and the fourth in his career ... playing point for the injured Eric Snow, he passed for a season-high 10 assists in the win over Portland (12/8) ... with a then career-high tying 10 rebounds, he had his first double-double this season; it was Iverson's first double-double since Mar. 19, 2000 versus Orlando and first point/rebound double-double since April 11, 1999 at Washington ... scored a season-low seven points at Charlotte (11/22), two shy of his career low.

2001 Playoffs

Averaged 32.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.4 steals in 46.2 minutes per game ... started and played in 22 of 23 games, missing one game due to injury (5/26) ... led the team in scoring in 18 of the 23 games and in assists in 10 games ... scored in double figures in 41 straight Playoff games dating to May 9, 1999 ... recorded Playoff career-highs in almost every category, including a Sixers Playoff record 54 points in Game 2 versus Toronto (5/9) ... set five NBA Finals records for a five-game series, including most points (178), most field goals (66) and most three-point field goals attempted (39) ... played the Milwaukee and Los Angeles series with a left sacroiliac joint contusion suffered in Game 7 versus Toronto; the injury caused him to miss Game 3 at Milwaukee (5/26) ... grabbed a Playoff career-high 12 rebounds in Game 3 of the NBA Finals (6/10) versus Los Angeles ... his 48 points in Game 1 (6/6) of the NBA Finals was the sixth best mark in Finals history ... scored a game-high 44 points in Game 7 versus Milwaukee (6/3), ranking tied for fourth in NBA history for most points in a Game 7 ... passed for a Playoff career-high 16 assists in Game 7 versus Toronto (5/20), the most assists for a Sixer in the Playoffs since Mo Cheeks had 16 against New York in 1989 ... became the second player (Michael Jordan) to score 50 or more points twice in a Playoff series when he scored 52 points in Game 5 versus Toronto (5/16) while setting a Sixers single-game Playoff record with eight three pointers, one shy of the NBA record ... tied his Playoff career-high with 21 field goals in Game 5 ... scored a Sixers single-game Playoff record and is tied for 10th in NBA Playoff history with 54 points in Game 2 versus Toronto (5/9).

1999-00 NBA Season

2007-12-18T21:48:00.000-08:00

Allen Iverson posts big numbers and starts in All-Star Game

Iverson scored a career-high 28.4 points per game in his fourth pro season, finishing second behind the Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal in the scoring race. He also averaged 4.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.06 steals in 40.8 minutes per game, shooting .421 from the field, .341 from three-point range and .713 from the foul line. He ranked third in the NBA in steals and minutes and first in field goal attempts (1,733), while he led the Sixers in field goals (729), three-pointers (89) and free throws (442).

Allen Iverson averaged 28.4 points per game in his fourth season.

He led the NBA in scoring from Nov. 14 to March 20, when he relinquished the lead to O'Neal. He played in 70 games, missing 10 from Nov. 24-Dec. 10 due to a broken right thumb, one because of synovitis in his right elbow and a fractured toe and one on a league suspension.

He matched his career-high and set a First Union Center record with 50 points against Sacramento on career-highs of 20 field goals made in 40 attempts. He scored in double figures in 69 of his 70 games played , with 56 games of 20 points, 32 games of 30 points and eight games of 40 points. He led the 76ers in scoring a career-best 24 straight games from Dec. 15-Feb. 6 and 61 times overall. He was held to five points on 2-for-18 from the field at Washington on March 2.

He barely missed his first career triple-double against Orlando on March 19 when he scored 18 points, dished a season-high 10 assists and had a career-high nine steals, including seven steals in the first half. He had streaks of 17 and 14 consecutive games with at least one steal, and an 11-game streak with at least two steals in each game.

Iverson started for the East in the 2000 All-Star Game and led all scorers with 26 points in 28 minutes, shooting 10-for-18 from the field including 2-for-2 from three-point range and 4-for-5 from the foul line. He also handed out a team-high nine assists.

He started all 10 playoff games and averaged 44.4 minutes per game despite being hampered by a number of nagging injuries. He averaged 26.2 points, 4.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.20 steals per game, with a high of 40 points in the First Round opener at Charlotte on April 22.

Allen Iverson and the Sixers continue to improve 1998-99 NBA Season

2007-12-18T21:12:00.000-08:00

Named to the 1998-99 All-NBA First Team after leading the NBA in scoring (26.8 ppg) and ranking 3rd in steals (2.29 spg) ... Led the Sixers in scoring, three-pointers made (58) and attempted (199) and steals, and ranked 2nd on the team in assists (4.6 apg) ... Totaled a game-high 38 points (15-28 FG), 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals in a 103-86 victory over the Orlando Magic on 4/25 ... Posted a game-high 32 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals against the Washington Wizards on 4/11 ... Registered game-highs of 41 points and 10 assists, and grabbed 5 rebounds, in a 105-90 win over the L.A. Lakers on 3/19 ... Recorded a game-high 39 points (13-21 FG), 7 rebounds and 3 assists in a 114-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers on 3/17 ...

Scored his 4,000th career point, totaling a game-high 34 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals, against the Miami Heat on 3/5 ... Named NBA Player of the Month for February, averaging a league-leading 28.5 ppg, 6.0 apg, 5.8 rpg and 2.31 spg to lead the 76ers to an 8-5 record ... Posted game-highs of 23 points (2-4 3FG) and 9 assists and grabbed 9 rebounds against the Milwaukee Bucks on 2/16 ... Registered a game-high 46 points (14-26 FG, 3-6 3FG, 15-17 FT), 7 rebounds and 6 assists against the San Antonio Spurs on 2/12.

Allen Iverson 1997-98 NBA Season

2007-12-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

Allen Iverson:Philly had a terrible 96-97 season despite Iverson's scoring and passing. The team needed more great players. They already had Iverson, Coleman and Stackhouse, but needed more. In a deal that sent Stack to Detroit and Theo Ratliff to Philadelphia, Sixers GM Pat Groce hoped that the team would grow on Ratliff's strong defense and valuable experience. But the Sixers still struggled.

Iverson continued playing great, but they didn't win enough games. Iverson for the second straight year has put up great numbers. Even though his scoring dropped from 23.5 in 96/97 to 22 this year, Allen became more of a team player .He was willing to pass more, and he wanted to win. Iverson kept getting bad publicity and it's quite amazing that Iverson could play at the same high level despite all the bad publicity. How? He simply didn't care about what people meant.

You gotta be a strong person to do that. And Iverson is, but he admitted that the publicity sometimes got tiring. "I don't know why people dislike me. I play basketball, I take care of things off the court. Why criticize me when I'm trying my hardest? ". Later on, the Sixers acquired Joe Smith from Golden State Warriors. Smith, one of Iverson's best friends, and their relationship goes all the way back to High School. Well, now they had strong offensive tandem with Iverson and Smith. But it didn't help. Philly ended up last.

Led the 76ers in 1997-98 in scoring (22.0 ppg, 8th in the NBA), assists (6.2 apg, 16th) and steals (2.20 spg, 5th)

Scored a 1997-98 season-high 43 points and grabbed 4 rebounds against the Minnesota Timberwolves on 4/10/98

Named NBA Player of the Week for the week ending 1/18/98, averaging 25.3 ppg, 7.6 apg and 4.3 rpg for the 3-0 76ers

Allen Iverson MVP Rookie game and Rookie of the Year 1996-97

2007-12-18T21:03:00.001-08:00

Iverson quickly established himself as a premier NBA backcourtman, winning Rookie of the Month honors in November and going on from there to a brilliant season in which he was named Rookie of the Month again in April and Schick Rookie of the Year and a member of the All-Rookie First Team following the season.

Iverson led the Sixers with 23.5 points (sixth in the NBA), 7.5 assists (11th) and 2.07 steals (seventh) in 40.1 minutes (eighth) per game, leading all NBA rookies in each category. Though he shot just .416 from the field, his 155 three-pointers easily led the team and he connected on .341 from behind the arc. Iverson finished strongly, averaging 39.0 ppg in his final eight games, including five in a row in which he scored 40 or more--the only rookie in NBA history to do so. Included in that burst was a career-high 50-point outing in a 125-118 loss at Cleveland on April 12, when he became the second-youngest player (21 years, 310 days) in NBA history to reach the 50-point plateau. Rick Barry was 21 years, 261 days old when he scored 57 for San Francisco on Dec. 14, 1965.

Iverson scored in double figures in 73 of the 76 games in which he played, getting 30 or more points 20 times. He also reached double figures in assists 18 times, including a career-high 15 (with 32 points) in a 119-113 loss to Boston on April 18. He averaged 4.1 rebounds, a high number for a point guard, grabbing a career-high 10 rebounds (with 32 points and seven assists) in a 115-113 loss at Charlotte on April 5.

Iverson was the Most Valuable Player of the Schick Rookie Game at All-Star Weekend, scoring 19 points and handing out nine assists in 26 minutes. He also was invited to compete in the Nestle Crunch Slam Dunk but withdrew due to injury.

Won the 1996-97 Schick NBA Rookie of the Year Award, becoming the first 76er to ever win the award, and to the 1996-97 NBA All-Rookie First team

Named NBA Rookie of the Month for April, 1997, leading the league with 33.6 ppg and leading all rookies with 8.7 apg

Led the 76ers in 1996-97 in scoring (23.5 ppg, 6th in the NBA), assists (7.5 apg, 11th) and steals (2.07 spg, 7th) and set the Sixers' all-time rookie record with 1,787 points

Scored 40 points in five straight games in April to set an NBA rookie record, including a career-high 50 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on 4/12/97

Named MVP of the Schick Rookie Game during the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend, posting 19 points and a game-high 9 assists

Named NBA Rookie of the Month for November, 1997, leading all rookies in scoring (21.8 ppg), assists (6.4 apg) and steals (2.67 spg)

Scored 30 points in his NBA debut, against the Milwaukee Bucks on 11/1/96

1996-97 NBA Season - Rookie Season

2007-12-18T21:03:00.000-08:00

Allen Iverson is drafted into the NBA 1996.The dream comes true.

2007-12-18T21:00:00.000-08:00

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Jun 26, 1996 )

Philadelphia knew about five minutes before the rest of the country: the 76ers selected point guard Allen Iverson with the first overall pick in the NBA draft Wednesday night.

General manager Brad Greenberg, speaking before about 4,000 fans at the Spectrum, gave the news before NBA commissioner David Stern strode to the lectern at the Continental Airlines Arena to announce the pick.

"We tipped the fans early because we wanted to show them that we appreciate their support," Greenberg said. "We're in a new era here and we gave them something nobody ever did before."

In reality, the 76ers decided on Iverson on Saturday, after he made a second visit to Philadelphia to work out for the team.

Earlier last week, the 76ers had two jerseys made up: one for Iverson and one for Stephon Marbury, the other talented point guard in the draft. After the second workout, Greenberg knew the Marbury jersey would not be needed.

"He's a special athlete and a special competitor and he has leadership ability," Greenberg said of Iverson. "He made it an easy decision."

Iverson, who said he didn't know for sure about the pick until it was made, referred both to a new era for the 76ers, a team that has lost successively more games in each of their last six seasons, and to the franchise's storied past.

"Dr. J and (Charles) Barkley, all those great players played for Philadelphia and they had some times in Philadelphia," he said. "Now, it's time to bring it back. This is a new era, and we're starting off with a new organization. It's up to us. All eyes will be on us."

Iverson, who turned 21 June 7, decided to forgo his final two seasons at Georgetown to make himself eligible for the draft. A first-team All-American who was the Big East Conference's defensive player of the year for the past two years, he averaged 23 points a game during his career with the Hoyas.

Although many scouts felt Iverson was the most dynamic player in the draft, there are questions as to whether he can adapt to the role the 76ers want him to play in the NBA.

Philadelphia envisions Iverson as a "pure" point guard who will distribute the ball to forward Derrick Coleman and shooting guard Jerry Stackhouse before looking for his own shot.

Iverson looked for his own shot first at Georgetown, but said he would have no trouble taking on a more selfless role.

"I'm not going to change my game any, but I don't have to look to score as much as I did," he said. "Now I have so many other great players on my team ... these guys are professionals and all of them are capable of scoring."

In some ways, he said, he looks forward to not having the pressure of being the primary scorer.

"It makes it easier, not having to score so much," he said. "I think that will make me more comfortable."

Iverson will also have to work with Coleman, the mercurial power forward who is one of the game's best -- when he wants to be. "I don't think I'll have to get Derrick Coleman to play. He wants to. I know he wants to."

Iverson has also had to answer questions about his off-the-court behavior. Specifically, he served five months in jail after being convicted for his role in a bowling alley brawl in Virginia. The sentence was eventually commuted.

76ers president Pat Croce said Iverson's past didn't figure into the decision.

"We've all had baggage in our past," he said. "This kid has gone through a battle all his life. The (basketball) court is easy for him, because of his lifestyle. He won't have any more pressure here than he's had in his life."

The 76ers listened to a number of trade offers for the first pick, but Croce said none was worth detailed consideration.

Vancouver was interested in trading their first pick, the third overall, for the first pick, but Croce said the 76ers didn't trust Toronto, which picked second.

"We were afraid (Toronto general manager Isiah) Thomas would steal our pick if we did something with Vancouver," he said. "We were afraid Isiah Thomas would do something sneaky."

Iverson isn't lacking for confidence. He said he didn't feel he has any weaknesses in his game, "but I know I have to work on every aspect of the game."

As for the future, Iverson is thinking big.

"When they talk about Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, when my time is up, I want them to put my name there."

Allen Iverson :The Wonder Years, The Georgetown Years.

2007-12-18T20:54:00.000-08:00

Allen Iverson finished high school as the best ball player (and football player, he was AP player of the year in Virginia) in the country. He had abilities Charlie Ward could only write home about. In Hampton, VA, Iverson is still an icon, a legitimate dream. America's most gifted baller. Imagine that.

In high school, Kansas coach Roy Williams, former NC assistant coach who once coached Michael Jordan, said Iverson "might be the best guard I've ever seen". That tells it all about Iverson's potential coming out of high school. Another quote that describes Answer's talent is this one, coming from Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson: "I've been to three calf shows, nine horse ropings and seen Elvis once. But I have never seen anything like this in my life." Wow.

Instead of walkin' 'round the neighbouthood, frontin', wantin' to be a superstar in a Hoya T-shirt, Allen made the dream come true. Heading into the prestigious private catholic Georgetown University, Iverson was a rough talent. He needed a good coach. A protective person. Which he found in G'Town coach John Thompson.

Trying to honor the heritage of Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo and Patrick Ewing Allen faced a challenge. Just like Mike, the master himself, Iverson took the challenge and succeeded. In the 94 - 95 season Iverson was honored "Big East Rookie-of-the-year" and "Big East Defensive player-of-the-year". Next season. Iverson was more controlled, confident and well coached than last year.

Iverson said: "Coach [Thompson] was like a father figure to me, right off hand...it just clicked" He added: "Ninety percent of having an relationship with him is things that occur off-court. He helped me through last year. I didn't want to come here and just do anything. Any problems that I have, I can go to him and he'll sit down and listen. It is a lot more than player-coach between us. I don't think I could have made it through last year without him." Thompson on Iverson: "He did all I expected him to do last year. When he didn't, we sat down and talked."

1995-96 College Season

Summer camp - Iverson getting loose in an NBA atmosphere, he put his whole package together and showed the critics what basketball was about on his end. Believe this: He averaged close to 50 points a game against teams that included a host of NBA players. Believe this: he scored over 70 points three times, often playing only half the game. Believe this: he told his coach during the third quarter of a game, down by 26 and with only 20 points, to give him the ball every time down the court. Result? Victory. Oh yeah. Allen finished with 81. Believe it. "I think I play a lot better in an NBA atmosphere. It was wide open, run'n'gun, man-to-man all game - and that's the game I like to play."

That year, everyone's mind was on the NBA. Except Allen's. Choosing Georgetown University, Allen had to give priority to basketball - and no longer football ("I miss the game so much"). Off the court, coach Thompson helped Iverson to fight off the rumors - and temptation - of turning pro after the season. Still, as we all know, Iverson was forced to leave Thompson and Georgetown after his sophomore season. His youngest sister was terribly ill and desperately needed medical treatment, something Allen's family couldn't afford. To save his sister's life, Allen left Georgetown and headed for the NBA.

The rest we all know.... "With the first pick in the 1996 NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select..Allen Iverson from Georgetown University!" It was no longer a dream. No longer was it what he worked for to give his family money and food on the table. No longer was it just a "future possibility". Allen was off to the pros.

College Statistics

YEAR	G	MIN	FGM	FGA	PCT	FTM	FTA	PCT	REB	RPG	AST	APG	PTS	PPG
94-95	30	966	203	520	.390	172	250	.688	99	3.3	134	4.5	613	20.4
95-96	37	1213	312	650	.480	215	317	.678	141	3.8	173	4.7	926	25.0
Career	67	2179	515	1170	.440	387	567	.683	240	3.6	307	4.6	1539	23.0

Allen Iverson ' s life in College

2007-12-18T20:41:00.000-08:00

Allen Ivesen Sitting in jail in the spring of 1993, he was justifiably worried about his prospects. Although extremely bright, Iverson was never a good student and was falling behind in school. The notoriety didn't help. "I'm sure some colleges will stay away," Iverson said from his cell. "But it'll work out. This has given me time to think about what I need to do to succeed in the world."

Iverson has made a name for himself the previous summer. At the Nike Camp in Indianapolis, and at four others, he earned the MVP trophy as a member of Bo Williams' team. In fact, Nike continued treating him as a celebrity during the trial, sending an extra set of plane tickets so that Iverson would not miss any camp activities while the trial was in progress. (Prosecutors used this special privilege to urge jurors to Just Do It to Iverson and Nike, which they did.)

"He's almost an overnight sensation," said Williams, who also coached NBA stars Alonzo Mourning and JR Reid on his team. "With Alonzo and JR everyone knew they were going to be great, so they could slowly be prepared for the pressures they were going to face. With Allen, it happened so quickly that there was almost no time to prepare him."

Throughout the trial, college coaches were still interested. "Unless he's behind bars, we're recruiting him," said George Washington assistant coach Eddie Meyers. "It's as simple as that." Allen's mom felt he needed a strong coach to help him if he got out of the situation he was in. And Coach Thompson at Georgetown seemed like the perfect coach for it. And she went up there and talked to him, and asked him, would he take Allen under his wing, and he said yeah. And that's why he ended up going to Georgetown. The football program wasn't too big at Georgetown, so it was basketball from then on.

Allen once asked coach John Thompson: "What you think about me playing football?" And he didn't answer. He just looked at Allen like he was crazy, so Allen never thought about playing football again after that day.

While sitting in jail, he lost a scholarship offer from Kentucky. I'm sure that if Allen had ended up at Kentucky he wouldn't have been the same player, the same person he is now. And in the end John Thompson and Georgetown seemed the best bet, since the coach is renowed for taking risks and giving urban kids with troubled pasts a shot at division one basketball. 'Cause instead of giving up basketball, Allen went to Georgetown, the prestigious catholic school that has found it's position in the projects. There he found what he had been searching for his whole life. A father. Coach John Thompson took care of Iverson who needed a protective coach who could give him advice.

Allen Iverson : Link Exchange

2007-12-18T20:19:00.000-08:00

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Allen Iverson remained second popular jersey in USA

2007-12-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

Allen Iverson remained second : Kobe Bryant now has the most

popular jersey in China, too.

NBA Jersey Sales In China

Kobe Bryant's Lakers jersey is the cream of the NBA jersey crop in the United States ... and now China. Sales of Kobe's No. 24 displaced Tracy McGrady as China's most popular seller. Rankings are based on sales from the start of the season through the All-Star break.

Jersey

Pvs

Kobe's 24

Iverson's 3

McGrady's 1

D-Wade's 3

LeBron's 23

Yao's 11

Garnett's 21

N/A

Duncan's 21

N/A

Carmelo's 15

N/A

Arenas' 0

N/A

The Los Angeles Lakers' star has the top-selling jersey there, while sales of Yao Ming's jersey in his home country continue to fall, according to results released by the NBA on Tuesday.

Bryant moved up three spots to replace Tracy McGrady, Yao's teammate with the Houston Rockets, atop the list. McGrady slipped to third, while Yao dropped three spots to sixth.

Bryant, who switched from No. 8 to No. 24 this season, also had the top-selling jersey in the United States. He increased his popularity in Asia after touring the continent last summer, even though he was unable to play for the United States in the world championships after knee surgery.

Allen Iverson remained second for the second straight year, while Dwyane Wade and LeBron James rounded out the top five.

Rankings were based on sales in China from the start of the season through the All-Star break.

NBA retail sales in China are expected to rise by more than 50 percent this year, the NBA said, according to Bloomberg News. The league plans, in conjunction with adidas, the exclusive NBA jersey supplier, to open 10 NBA stores in the country by 2008, Bloomberg reported.

The number of viewing options of NBA games are on the rise as well, with broadcasts available on 51 television stations in China, up from 32 last year, according to Bloomberg.

At 1.3 billion, China is the world's most populous country.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.