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One of the greats Iverson takes his game where few have gone
Updated: Thursday May 17, 2001 1:55 AM
Allen Iverson was completely deserving of the NBA's Most Valuable Player award. In my opinion, the criteria of the award signifies the player who:
Iverson encompasses all of the above. The other candidates had a great year as well, however, no one player has put a team on his back the way Iverson has. Indiana's Jalen Rose may have said it best. When you think of Shaq, you also think of Kobe. When you think of Tim Duncan, you think of David Robinson. Shaq and Duncan have had the ultimate complements. They're helped out by players who shoulder some of the burden and are stars in their own right. Their supporters are capable of carrying a team on their own. Let's not forget that Robinson is a former MVP and Top 50 performer.
But Iverson has pushed what some might view as cast of little-known players -- Eric Snow, Aaron McKie, George Lynch -- to the brink of a championship. When you think of Iverson, he stands on a lonely 76er pedestal. A testament to how one man, at 6 feet, 165 pounds, can shoulder such a responsibility. Iverson also has changed the game. A true test of how great a player is, is if the league and society follow suit. He's been quoted as saying that any comparisons to Michael Jordan aren't fair. But they are in this respect: There are few players who can change not only the game but also societal views. Think about the crossover -- a deadly move to shake defenders, a move so deadly that it can no longer be used in its original form. And cornrows, braids, whatever ... before Iverson, no NBA player consistently wore them, and before him they where not accepted in the work force as you see them today. Iverson has done Jordanesque things. He might not end his career as celebrated as Jordan, but he will be remembered as one of the greats. He has made his name in the regular season, and as the playoffs continue, and 50-point games go on, he adds to his fame. Kenny Smith works as a studio analyst with host Ernie Johnson for TNT and TBS telecasts. He joined Turner Sports for the end of the 1997-98 regular season and playoffs, primarily as a studio analyst. Check out Kenny's sites: www.theusbc.com and www.carolinabasketballcamp.com.
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