Philadelphia 76ers unveil sculpture of Allen Iverson
CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Yes, there is something quite wry about the fact Allen Iverson was immortalized in his crossover pose at — of all sites — the Philadelphia 76ers’ practice facility.
Practice. Not where the Sixers play their games. Practice.
Almost 22 years after AI ranted about “practice” 22 times in an often-spoofed news conference — see, Ted Lasso — even Iverson got a kick out the location of the sculpture unveiled Friday on the team’s Legends Walk, joining the likes of Julius Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, Charles Barkley and Maurice Cheeks. The Hall of Famer who made “ talking about practice ” a permanent part of the pop-culture lexicon is now a permanent part of the Sixers’ home.
“I could sit out a practice,” Iverson said after the ceremony. “Play me in the games.”
Few played better in the games for the Sixers than Iverson, who won four scoring titles, an NBA MVP award, and led the franchise to their last trip to the NBA finals in 2001.