Allen Iverson’s statue unveiling caused quite a stir this week after fans felt unimpressed with the work. One of the most vocal critical critics has been Iverson’s former teammate Matt Barnes, who ripped the franchise for an “embarrassing” tribute to the icon.
“I know I might be late to the party, but what the f— did the Philadelphia 76ers just try to do for Allen Iverson?” Barnes said on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast. “I know the whole city of Philadelphia has gotta be embarrassed by that s—. Salute bro – just got the street named after him. He should have a statue bigger than the arena. But that s— y’all just did? Is that a trophy or a statue? 76ers man, that 76er organization, y’all gotta do better than that, especially for bro. That s— is terrible.”
Initially, fans were shocked to see how small the piece was and it seems most were expecting something similar in size to Kobe’s statue, at the very least. But since the 76ers don’t own their stadium, they had no choice but to build their statues (and Walk of Fame) at their practice facility, limiting their size and scope.
While it’s not the most glamorous memorial, Iverson seemed pretty happy with how it turned out and he was more grateful than anything else for the moment and the honor of being immortalized as a Philadelphia icon.
Today, while the 76ers have long since moved on from the Iverson era, nobody has forgotten his run in the city, and the connections he’s built there run deeper than any statue can do justice.
Allen Iverson Is A 76ers Legend
Drafted first overall in 1996, Allen Iverson was a star from the very beginning and his speed, handles, and elite shot-making ability had him head-and-shoulders above the rest of the league at the time.
By the time he was 24, Iverson made his first All-Star team with averages of 28.4 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game on 42% shooting. He was an absolute killer on the court and played with a certain level of confidence and swagger that had the entire league on notice.
But it was more than just business for Iverson. Over the years, Philadelphia became a real home for him and his family and he developed a lifelong bond that persists to this day. Even now, long after Iverson’s retirement, his love and connection to the city has not faded one bit.
According to Matt Barnes, Iverson was more loved by the people than Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. So while A.I. was never able to win a championship in his career, he did win over a lot of fans due to his relentless drive and unwavering competitive spirit. He captured the heart and spirit of the city like nobody else.
So whether you love or hate the statue, Iverson’s legacy in the City of Brotherly Love is beyond a material limitations. After decades of pouring his blood, sweat, and tears into the city, he’s become a legend in the highest sense and deserves the best that the 76ers can offer.
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