Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Draft: Each team’s greatest draft pick of all-time

By Daniel Lubofsky

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers take a breather on November 12, 2009 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI - NOVEMBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers take a breather on November 12, 2009 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
24 of 31
Next
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Greatest draft pick in Philadelphia 76ers history: Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson was one of the greatest scorers of his time, one who averaged 27.6 points per game in 12 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. He wasn’t very efficient, shooting above 45.0 percent just once in that decade-plus span, but it was hard to complain over a guy whose sheer dominance on the court was as unpredictable a story as there is.

To say AI played hard on a nightly basis doesn’t give his effort level justice. Whereas most guys his size would stay out on the perimeter for fear of their physical well being, Iverson would attack head-on into whoever happened to be in front of him. His body took a beating because of it. He still never toned it down, leading the league in minutes per game seven times, because to alter his style of play would be to change a fundamental part of his personality.

When thinking about some of the most improbable teams to ever make the Finals, Iverson’s 2000-2001 squad is right up there in the discussion. While AI averaged 31.1 points per game en route to the MVP trophy, Philly’s second-leading scorer was putting in just 12.4 a night.

On his way to the Finals, Iverson went through Reggie Miller, Vince Carter and Ray Allen, the latter two of which took seven games to vanquish. Night after night, The Answer was exactly that, carrying his squad with six 40 point games and two 50-point performances. He gave up at least five inches to each of those guys, but he also emerged victorious in those battles with some of the best at his position.

The Sixers would lose that Finals appearance in five games to the historic Los Angeles Lakers who dominated the rest of the league with a 15-1 postseason record that year. Their one loss? Courtesy of Iverson and his 48 points in Game 1, including a memorable step-over poor Tyronn Lue etched in NBA history forever.

In an era dominated by some of the most physically imposing big men in NBA history, little Allen Iverson still managed to create a legacy that arguably stands above them all. The Hall of Famer was the ultimate competitor who put his body on the line every night with a style and flare all his own.

Home/NBA Draft