Allen Iverson explains how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won MVP while referencing iconic quote, ‘You think Shai didn’t…’

“We’re talking about practice” is a line that rings through the years of almost every NBA fan when they think about “A.I.”. And the Hall of Famer Iverson referenced those legendary words when discussing last season’s MVP Gilgeous-Alexander.

Allen Iverson says Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won MVP because of practice

What many remember from Iverson’s practice rant was his annoyance that reporters were asking him questions about practice after a game. “We ain’t talking about the game, we’re talking about practice, man,” he exclaimed.

But in the midst of the rant, Iverson actually explained that he does value practice. He said, “I’m not shoving it aside like it don’t mean anything. I know it’s important, I do. I honestly do.” He doubled down on those words when talking about Gilgeous-Alexander’s season.

Iverson was a guest at a No Flukes Foundation event and said, “You think I didn’t practice? If I didn’t, that just shows you how good I was if I didn’t practice. So obviously I did.”

He continued, “You have to practice to become whatever you’re trying to become in life,” Iverson said. “You think Shai didn’t practice? Become the MVP, the best player in the world? You have to practice.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did something Allen Iverson never did, and now is his best chance to repeat the accomplishment

Iverson is a hero of Gilgeous-Alexander’s. He said his midrange game is inspired by the Sixers legend, and he explained in 2022 that he admired A.I. because he was unapologetically himself.

He said, “He had the crowd buzzing every time he stepped on the floor… he was never scared to challenge the boundaries. That was one of the main reasons why A.I. is who he is. He was never scared to be himself, no matter the situation.”

Last season, however, Gilgeous-Alexander won an NBA championship, something Iverson never did. And now he has to take advantage of his championship window with the Thunder.

With the Oklahoma City Thunder signing Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams to monumental extensions, the clock is ticking for the Thunder. They have the deepest roster they may ever have with Gilgeous-Alexander and need to collect rings while that is still the case.

Holmgren and Williams’ new contracts will hit the Thunder’s books next season, which will catapult them deep into the second apron and prevent them from acquiring free agents above the minimum. 

As long as they have talent in the building, they can re-sign their players. However, as their bench gets thinner in the years to come they will have more and more trouble filling out their roster, so their time is now.