“Allen Iverson Pushed Me to Another Level”: $600 Million Worth Kobe Bryant, Once Credited Sixers Legend For Bringing Out the Best in Him

Allen Iverson is one of the biggest ever superstars to set foot on the hardwood. The #1 pick of the 1996 Draft, was among few other future legends who came out of that class.

One of them was the 13th pick, selected by the Charlotte Hornets, a 6ft 6’ shooting guard, Kobe Bean Bryant.

While Iverson, a 6ft tall point guard, against all the odds started making his name in year one, Bryant didn’t get the same chances as AI and lost a couple of years at the start because of it.

Also read: “I Hate You Too Motherf****r”: When Allen Iverson Blasted Former ESPN Columnist For Hating Him Throughout His Career

But, ‘The Answer’ taking over the league, had a perfect impact on The Black Mamba. Throughout his 20-year career, he never forgot to honor the Sixers guard.

Kobe Bryant credited Allen Iverson for influencing his career trajectory

AI changed plenty of lives since he came into the NBA and became a global star of the game. A kid or a grown man, big or small, American or not, everyone loved the killer crossover guy who could easily put up the 30s on anybody’s favorite teams.

Even current-generation superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who grew up in Greece loved watching Iverson play. But it’s one thing to be impactful to people watching you play than to the one who is playing against you.

However, to have your opponents be awed by you while playing, and even years after retirement, is the ultimate praise for anyone. And that too, Kobe Bryant!

During the 11x All-Star’s Hall Of Fame induction in 2016, the $600 million worth Lakers man who was in his own final year, had some kind words for one of the coldest players of all time.

“That was the big turning point for me,” Bryant said. “I just stewed on it for the rest of my career, and he pushed me to get to that level. I told him last night, ‘Bro, you don’t realize how much you did for me.’ And I don’t think people remember how cold he was.”

Also read: “Kobe Bryant Wasn’t Michael Jordan Carrying Teams to 5 Titles”: Jason Whitlock Once Called Lakers Star ‘Most Fraudulent Athlete’ For Imitating MJ

Iverson changed the NBA for good

Iverson became a 4-time scoring champ who never feared anybody coming into a league that was no playground for a player of his size.

There was nobody before him who wasn’t at least 6ft 3’ and was the face of a franchise even for a couple of years.

AI broke that and several other traditions of the league by being just him all throughout his career.

Also read: “Allen Iverson Was Tupac of NBA”: When Jason Whitlock Questioned AI’s Greatness, Saying He ‘Didn’t Max Out as an Athlete’