The Answer. The #1 overall draft pick out of Virginia Beach, Allen Iverson, was deemed “The Answer” to the Philadelphia 76ers’ problems. Allen Iverson played Twelve spectacular years with the Sixers, and had an amazing career before retiring during the 2009-2010 season.
On December 6, 2022, during the debut episode of Vernon Maxwell’s new podcast, “Maxed Out!” on Bovada’s podcast network, NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson spoke about some of his experiences with former teammate Vernon Maxwell.
“Maxed Out” reveals that Allen Iverson’s signature move, “The King Crossover” was picked up from another Georgetown Hoya at the time, Dean Barry. Allen tells how, practice after practice, Barry would execute the crossover on him. Eventually, swallowing his pride the star guard would ask his teammate to teach him the move to add to his arsenal. A.I. even stated that, Dean says, Allen’s crossover was more effective than his because his arms were so much longer.
The Answer was able to take the famous crossover and use it to change the landscape of the NBA with other aspects of his game.
“I wanted to jump like Mike, rebound like Barkley, be dominant like Shaq, be fast like Isiah, pass like Magic, shoot like Bird. I wanted to fit that all into one game,” A.I. shared with Maxwell. Iverson loved the game of basketball and also shared that standing six feet tall in a game of giants–he could only achieve so much.
The Basketball Gods knew this was true and paired him with Legendary Coach Larry Brown. Larry was able to take Allen’s game to the next level, as he was able to get Allen to buy into the system. After he bought in to the system, everyone felt there was almost a tangible shift in team dynamics. The relationship between Allen Iverson and Larry Brown was what A.I. recounts as something he needed to have in his life, helping him grow as a player and Throughout the interview Allen often compares himself to Michael Jordan, or “Black Jesus” as he sees him. That’s why he had a colossal amount of respect and admiration for Kobe Bryant. He believed that Kobe was a splitting image of Jordan as they both stood at 6-6 with similar games. That’s also why A.I. ranks Kobe so high as a player. “Kobe was dedicated to being the best,” A.I. tells Vernon. They laugh together as Allen recounts a time when he told Kobe that he was going to the club as Kobe was headed to the gym.
As A.I. recounts the stories of his time in the league, the mentors and peers he has come to respect and love, he also shares how much love he has for his friend Vernon Maxwell, the host of “Maxed Out.” Vernon Maxwell was an enforcer on the 76ers and filled in as a big brother to Iverson. Their bond was apparent on camera too, which you can check out in the entire interview on Bovada’s YouTube page.
You can keep up with Vernon Maxwell as he speaks with the friends he has made throughout the journey he calls life.a man. Under Larry Brown’s guidance, Allen was able to put up an MVP season and take the 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals.
