He certainly wasn’t going to do anything to give people that satisfaction – Theo Ratliff on how Allen Iverson handled criticism – Basketball Network

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Allen Iverson

© Howard Smith – USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to challenging basketball standards, Allen Iverson certainly ticked a lot of boxes. At flat 6, AI didn’t let those few inches become the flaw in his armor and became arguably the deadliest goalscorer of his generation. Some say it was the big ego and the ball in him that made him famous, but some of his former Philadelphia 76ers teammates didn’t see it that way.

The mentality of a winner

Along with being significantly smaller than the typical guard, Iverson’s naturally acquired infamy off the court gave him a chip on his shoulder. Former Sixers center Theo Ratliff said the AI ​​often told him how aware he was of what opponents were saying. But Iverson never let the criticism get into his head. Rather, “The Answer” used it to motivate him to prove them wrong and always be the best version of himself whenever he was on the court.

“He knows a lot of people doubted what he could do,” Ratliff told ESPN in 2001. said himself, personally, that he certainly wasn’t going to do anything to give people that satisfaction, to be able to say, ‘Allen is doing this wrong now, Allen is doing this wrong now.’ He wanted to come in with the attitude, ‘I’m going to try to do the right thing this year and try to do the things the coach asked me to do. And do them and keep my head up.’”

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No one had a problem with the AI

It didn’t take long for the Sixers organization to realize they had found a unique gem in Iverson. As the 2000s approached, Philly was all about AI.

As the only All-Star on the team, Iverson was extremely good at his job. Game performances of 30, 40, even 50 points have become a regular thing. And while some people were unhappy with the team’s drastic imbalance, Iverson’s teammates had no problem with it. Because, unlike fans, they’ve witnessed the work “The Answer” has put in and day to day to earn its stripes.

“We don’t mind at all,” former Sixers guard Eric Snow said of Iverson as Philly’s lone star. “We all understand this league, the marketing in this league, the star status in this league. And you have to earn it. (Iverson) deserved it. He has earned the right to be called an NBA star because he has the talent he has.

Indeed, people had different opinions of Iverson. But at the end of the day, ball hog or not, superstar or not, “The Answer” shook things up when many thought he couldn’t.

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