NBA: Ranking every MVP winner in league history

SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 25: James Harden, winner of the 2017-2018 MVP award, poses with his mom Monja Willis in the backstage photo room during the 2018 NBA Awards at Barker Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /

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Allen Iverson (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

NBA: Ranking every MVP winner in league history: 17. Allen Iverson

Stats:

26.7 points
6.2 assists
2.2 steals

Accomplishments:

11 time All-Star
7 time All-NBA
4 time scoring champ
1 time MVP

For practically his entire life and certainly throughout his NBA career, Allen Iverson was told that the big men dominate the sport. For the most part, those words were always true. Whether they were big bulking centers or ball dominant big guards such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and others – someone the size of Iverson, generously listed at six feet, rarely had an impact on that game. With that said, Iverson proved he could do whatever he put his mind to.

There were plenty of moments that were never supposed to happen. Iverson was never supposed to take the rock at the top of the key and cross Michael Jordan over during his rookie year. At his size, Iverson was never supposed to lead the league in scoring four times. And in 2001, Iverson was never supposed to lead a group of misfits to the NBA Finals. Yet, he did it all and more.

Of course, Iverson gets remembered for his cultural impact. The baggy clothes, iced out chains and durags were a far cry from the suit and ties NBA players are seen rocking today on the sidelines. But while his impact in that department was important, his overall game was as good as anyone’s. No guard listed anywhere near Iverson’s six-foot frame has scored anywhere near his 24,368 career points. He didn’t win a ring but he didn’t chase after one in the middle of his prime either.