Allen Iverson: I Truly Wanted to Be Like Mike

The newest member of the NBA Hall of Fame idolized Michael Jordan as a young player, and later faced off against him in one of the game's most memorable moments.

Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT. Only on CBS.

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Stephen Colbert took over as host of The Late Show on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015. Colbert is best known for his work as a television host, writer, actor, and producer, and best known for his charity work teaching English as a second language on Tunisian date farms. Prior to joining the CBS family -- and being officially adopted by network president Les Moonves -- Colbert helmed “The Colbert Report,” which aired nearly 1,500 episodes and required Stephen to wear nearly 1,500 different neckties. The program received two Peabody Awards, two Grammy Awards, and several unwelcome shoulder massages. It won two Emmys for Outstanding Variety Series in 2013 and 2014, both of which appear to have been lost in the move. Colbert is pronounced koʊlˈbɛər, according to Wikipedia. His understudy is William Cavanaugh, who will be hosting The Late Show approximately one third of the time. Good luck, Bill!"

[MrSkeezymak]

Legend. Carried a mediocre sixers team for many years. I'll never forget game 1 of the finals where he managed to beat the Lakers in LA.

[garyjohnson]

I took my wife to see a Celtics - 76 game. She does not follow basketball. After 20 minutes, she is looking at me, wide eyed, saying, who is that guy. Love his playing. Unbelievable skills.

[chaseb]

"Making God bleed" best description of the Allen Iverson/Michael Jordan crossover I've ever heard.

[SFflippinGiant]

The boy Iverson is the realist ever. The sweatsuit, the chains, those chrome Answer's on his feet. Legend .

[steph_man]

I'm a Spurs fan, but my first jersey was a white Philly Iverson one. Love it. Top 3 favorite player for me.

[heywhtasupbro]

“I don’t wanna be Jordan, I don’t wanna be Magic, I don’t wanna be Bird or Isiah. I don’t wanna be any of those guys. When my career’s over, I want to look in the mirror and say I did it my way.” -the answer

"i truly wanted to be like mike" - allen iverson

[tee_PpP]

from philly... Iverson has given back to the community as much/MORE than any star. Media was brutal on him. Honored to watch him as a 76er.

[napsternoel]

Still my favourite player since '96.

[JuanGarcia-sodv]

pound for pound the best player I have ever seen. God bless Allen Iverson

[debbiechapman]

He gave it his all and from his heart! He played basketball!

[chrisj]

Allen Iverson is the best sixer to ever play I will never forget growing up and watching him Play a true legend in sports!!!

[weezi]

the intro of 2pac, " I ain't mad at cha" instrumental was memorizing🎶

[CamboyGDubbz]

A.I. is the greatest ball-handler of all time. Truly nobody compares when it comes to play style and energy. Congrats on the Hall of Fame induction, we all knew it was coming!

[NotoriousNYNJ]

He still looks so young man... Damn...

[katlap]

I am so glad this man gets his flowers 🌸

[waynedooley]

Like all people who excel at any endeavor Iverson worked hard at his craft, but he was also by far the most naturally talented athlete ever. To have accomplished what he did from high school to college to the professional ranks in such a short time is amazing.

[Jaqen-HGhar]

The fact he gave Stephen those shoes and didn't make a show of it in this segment says a lot about him.

[blogginsriverbymnlisabop]

This man's pinky is tougher than a majority of NBA players today.

[PricefieldPunk]

Still don't know how he carried the 76ers to the finals and managed to win a game against the undefeated Lakers in 2001. Legend

[TheFly]

Colbert is 5"10'....Goes to show how small The Answer was, and how utterly amazing he was. To score and play defense the way he did, at that size.


We will never see it again.