Remember that 6'0″ player that was drafted first in the legendary 1996 NBA Draft. He played for the Philadelphia 76ers, and was nicknamed “The Answer.” He also possessed a lightning quick, deadly crossover that snatched the ankles of his opponents, even including Michael Jordan. This player is a Hall of Famer, a former superstar guard, and a fashion diva. This player is none other than Allen Iverson.
Recently, The Answer himself exclaimed that Russell Westbrook is his favorite player and that he plays with the same heart that AI used to play with.
“The fight in the guy. I'm the biggest Westbrook fan, I think, there is. You know what I mean? Because he reminds me so much of myself as far as his heart and laying it on the line night in and night out. Just a guy that's going to bring it every single night.”
Suddenly, there doesn't seem to be that much of a difference between Westbrook and Iverson at all. Here are a few reasons why Russell Westbrook just may be the mirror image of one of his adoring fans.
They both have attitude
In 2002, Allen Iverson went on one of his famous rants, which was based on one word: practice. The interview has cemented itself into the memories of basketball die-hards, mainly because it was funny and it displayed Iverson's quick temper. Needless to say, Russell Westbrook has his own share of memorable press conferences and interviews.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvBovsozK2A
Russell Westbrook not only catches attitudes with members of the media; he proudly wears his distinctive scowl all over the court. He plays with a unique brand of intensity, and for a player who is only 6'3″, his ego absorbs the entire 94-foot court. Westbrook is only this way because, well, he has to be. In this respect, Iverson was the same player. He had a tendency to shut down the media, as well as anyone else who tried to get in his head.
Westbrook and Iverson are two different players in terms of skill and what they are able to do on the court, but their attitude is nearly identical. On one side, Iverson grills a reporter for mentioning practice in an interview. On another side, Westbrook roasts a referee who tries to suggest that he cheered using Kyrie Irving's name. These two are aggressive players, both physically and mentally.
They both are fashionistas
In the late 90s and early 2000s, Allen Iverson sported the typical urban attire of the day. He wore long, flashy rope chains, baggy jeans, designers shirts, Air Jordans, and he was covered in tattoos. Iverson's attire was one of the reasons why the NBA implemented the mandatory 2005 dress code. However, Westbrook seems to wear whatever he wants nowadays. Granted, Iverson and Westbrook obviously have a different outlook on what fashion truly is.
Iverson adored the throwback urban attire of the 90s, and Westbrook seems to be doing his own thing. Westbrook famously shows up to games wearing one his “signature” outfits, which have gained the attention of his fellow players and the media. Some of his outfits are more…trendy than others. Yet, both players have a knack for making massive fashion statements every now and then.
They both are great individual players
It seems like forever since Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant played as teammates. When Durant left for greener pastures, Westbrook was stuck with an ailing roster lacking the talent necessary to compete with the top teams in the league. Despite that, he carried his team to the playoffs, he became one of the best players in the NBA, and he won the MVP award while averaging a triple double.
In that way, he's strikingly similar to Allen Iverson.
Throughout Iverson's playing career, he never played alongside a teammate with the caliber of skill that Kevin Durant, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony possess. AI simply had to be the leader of his team, and he delivered. Iverson won the 2001 NBA MVP award, he won four scoring titles, and he was a three-time steals leader. He played in an aggressive manner similar to Westbrook, exploding to the rim with reckless abandon.
Although Iverson didn't win a title, he became one of the most gifted scorers in NBA history. Westbrook may have his own unique piece of history after averaging a triple double, but both players are unstoppable scorers that changed the game in a nearly identical way.
They both are fiece competitors
Russell Westbrook is known as a fierce competitor who gives maximum effort on the floor every night, regardless of who he is playing against. Some of his most famous duels have come against Patrick Beverly, an aggressive defender. Beverley and Westbrook's history extends back to the Rockets' rise to playoff contention. During their games against each other, Westbrook heightens his intensity and takes it to him every time. Westbrook also has quality competitions with rivals like Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
In the same light, Allen Iverson began his career during the reign of the Chicago Bulls' dynasty. He had a huge chip on his shoulder and stood toe-to-toe with arguably the greatest NBA player of all time, Michael Jordan. When push came to shove, Iverson didn't back down, evening crossing Jordan over before converting a jumper when he was a rookie. Like Westbrook, Iverson was an amazing competitor who took any challenge presented to him.
They both have killer instict
In most cases, being the leader of your team means that you have to possess a sort of killer instinct. Unquestionably, Westbrook and Iverson both have the clutch gene in their DNA. During Westbrook's historic 2016-2017 season, he commanded his team and led them to victory on a regular basis. He took big shot after big shot, and when the Thunder lost, he blamed himself.
In the same way, Iverson had to will himself to carry his lackluster team. They even reached the 2001 NBA Finals against the vaunted Los Angeles Lakers at the height of their powers. Although the Lakers eventually won the series in five games, Iverson shined while carrying the Sixers to a Game 1 victory at Staples Center, presenting Kobe Byrant and Shaquille O'Neal with an unstoppable headache.
All in all, Westbrook and Iverson share a variety of similar traits. Even though they are distinctly different players, Westbrook has shown that he just may be the second coming of The Answer.
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