Allen Iverson on His Hall of Fame Career, Cultural Legacy, Matching Up With Kobe and Jordan & More

We are back with a certified hoop legend. The Answer, Allen Iverson, joins Q and D on Knuckleheads. The guys chop it up about it all with A.I., including his upbringing in Virginia, dominating football and basketball, the struggles he went through that almost ruined his dreams, and why John Thompson was the only one recruiting him when it came time to go to college. He talks about Big John’s impact at college, deciding to go to the draft and being the No. 1 pick. They discuss the success he had in Philly and his impact on the culture and the future of the NBA. A.I. truly had one of the most iconic careers of all time, so tap in!
» Subscribe to Knuckleheads: / @knuckleheadspodcasttpt
» Visit The Players' Tribune website for the latest written and video content: www.theplayerstribune.com
About The Players' Tribune:
Welcome to The Players’ Tribune, a media platform that presents the voices of professional athletes, bringing fans closer to the games they love than ever before. Founded by Derek Jeter in 2014, The Players’ Tribune aims to provide unique insight into the daily sports conversation and publishes first-person stories directly from athletes. From video to podcasts to player polls and written pieces, The Tribune strives to be “The Voice of the Game.”
Get More of The Players' Tribune and Knuckleheads:
Official Website: www.theplayerstribune.com/
Twitter: playerstribu.ne/Twitter
Facebook: playerstribu.ne/Facebook
Instagram: playerstribu.ne/Instagram
Subscribe to our KZbin: playerstribu.ne/KZbin
Knuckleheads IG: / knuckleheadspodcast
Knuckleheads FB: / knuckleheadspodcast
More from Knuckleheads: playerstribu.ne/knuckleheadspod
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:52 Bust Yo' Ass
00:02:41 Growing up in Hampton, Virginia
00:12:48 Getting Arrested in High School
00:21:20 Georgetown and John Thompson
00:37:17 Draft Process
00:42:30 Realizing His Cultural Impact
00:58:49 The Answer Nickname
01:02:28 1996 Draft Class
01:04:21 Reebok Signature Shoe
01:09:40 Playing Against Michael Jordan
01:16:47 GOAT Debate
01:23:27 MVP Season and 2001 NBA Finals
01:30:03 Relationship with Kobe Bryant
01:31:43 Leaving Philly for Denver
01:33:42 Favorite Magazine Covers
01:40:17 New Documentary
01:44:16 Advice to Young Players
01:50:04 Starting 5
01:51:01 Biggest Purchase
01:55:17 Statue in Philly
01:58:25 Outro

[@knuckleheadspodcastTPT]

00:00:00 Intro 00:00:52 Bust Yo' Ass 00:02:41 Growing up in Hampton, Virginia 00:12:48 Getting Arrested in High School 00:21:20 Georgetown and John Thompson 00:37:17 Draft Process 00:42:30 Realizing His Cultural Impact 00:58:49 The Answer Nickname 01:02:28 1996 Draft Class 01:04:21 Reebok Signature Shoe 01:09:40 Playing Against Michael Jordan 01:16:47 GOAT Debate 01:23:27 MVP Season and 2001 NBA Finals 01:30:03 Relationship with Kobe Bryant 01:31:43 Leaving Philly for Denver 01:33:42 Favorite Magazine Covers 01:40:17 New Documentary 01:44:16 Advice to Young Players 01:50:04 Starting 5 01:51:01 Biggest Purchase 01:55:17 Statue in Philly 01:58:25 Outro

[@batkinson1981]

Shoutout to Mama Iverson for goin to see Big John, so the world 🌎 could see the greatness of A.I

[@raymondbennettjr.8845]

100 percent correct I let my wife know that recently mom definitely advocated for her son

[@zeke3388]

I see the real A.I. i click, period!

[@saleemkirmani5583]

Allen Iverson is a living legend.

[@4ktkaram395]

Coooooooook

[@wuzzy87]

Not really.

[@sonnyallagonez5776]

​@@wuzzy87U can "not really" DEEZ NUTS Boi

[@chloethacker]

The best athlete to ever play in the nba. Absolutely a top 10 all time player

[@GabeCerebro]

One of the few true ones left.

[@Concertswithkeisha]

I love they let Iverson speak and gave him time to get his thoughts out😊

[@davidcovington1046]

Yeah, same here

[@slickerthanoil5031]

Never heard a bad Allen Iverson interview in my life. This is one of the best ones!

[@BCody-tq8lc]

The John Thompson stories were the best for me. RIP coach Thompson. He had us thinking that GTown was an HBCU.

[@mpound97]

Exactly...

[@jaredhills4814]

I used to always think that growing up 😂. You couldn't tell me that wasn't a black school.

[@shehateme9955]

He deserves a statue. @my butcher shop I throw a towel over my shoulder, tru story, & Try to exude that John Thompson presence...

[@lilbru]

John Thompson on the podcast would've been legendary.. that wisdom, discernment and unfiltered honesty

[@mpound97]

Not too many men around like him these days...😔

[@MaalikAhmad]

The reason Q & D.Miles work out because it’s no egos. Sometimes Q leads, sometimes Miles. Great interview fellas. These the ones that take you outta here.

[@nicholasofficial9977]

They not trying to act tough or like they were better than what they were. Just some cool dudes it seems like to me 😂

[@Kblack215]

They actually let each other get there questions off and don’t over talk the guest 🔥

[@phamawa]

Yeah not like Stak lol

[@DeTAYL.]

@@phamawa💯

[@rcjordan6]

@phamawa Lol... leave Stak alone!!!

[@OnlyGoldMedals]

Allen Iverson is a Goat 🐐

[@SuperMt24]

MJ

[@apples2481]

It’s so refreshing to see a guy like AI. He has no bitterness or hate towards anyone. Just all love!!

[@Dogon_SS]

Bro’s the reason I picked up a basketball fr. 🔥🔥🔥

[@efeezy7770]

Man this was my dude MJ was him for me but when I first heard about him before he went to Georgetown and watched him play at GT to the nba I never thought I would love a player as much as I loved MJ as a kid iverson is my all time favorite player now it’s still crazy to me though

[@Dogon_SS]

@@efeezy7770 💯💯💯

[@rodrellsouthall1214]

Goat

[@torreywallace1494]

Me too this my MJ I swear to god

[@josheasy6716]

@dogon_SS u had 69 likes bro had to make it 70, 69’a freaky number nowadays esp w the 69God, OVHo, my bad maybe I’m overthinking n just had to change the like #..

[@amgsosa7206]

My goat hands down! He raised an entire generation on and off the court and be thankful he wasn’t 6’6🏁😮‍💨

[@SouloH03]

I’m a simple man. I see Allen Iverson, I click. Great episode ✊🏼

[@munneypte4511]

Knuckleheads is the GOAT HOOPS podcast... it's not even close tbh

[@muzidube6927]

The Founder's are back at it!!! The podcast Forefathers!!!!! Love you gentlemen!??

[@robertcomfort2186]

🐐Comment. Real recognize real.

[@TRELL3132]

Say it again for the people in the back that act like they can’t hear

[@SuperMt24]

Awesome comment… speaking for the day 1 followers, really love to watch Darius and Qrich win, genuine good dudew

[@amaciofavor]

Facts

[@user-ky7dk5gq3p]

Allen the hall of famer Iverson 💪🏿🫡

[@CTDMally077]

Iverson deserves a life size statue inside or outside the sixers arena

[@tonybayarea]

Agree. How did the 76ers give him just small statues at the practice facility and not at the Arena. It's ALLEN IVERSON. Statue should be at the Arena.

[@Sclass_Ent]

@@tonybayarea its Only 5 #Sixers outside the prace facility ... and we all know EVENTUALLY A.I. will have his Desired Lifesized Statue outside the Wells Fargo Center.

[@TheIncredibleHoosier]

Statues for athletes are starting to be overrated

[@GabeCerebro]

The Sixers don’t own the Wells Fargo Center, that’s why they’re trying to get their own stadium built in Center City and why all of those small Sixers statues are in Camden outside their 100% owned practice facility. He’ll get one eventually.

[@Detroit313Eskimoe]

The true definition of a " Livin' Legend "🙌🏾💯🐐

[@ntotheizm]

Chuck is such a great storyteller. True legend.

[@jongibo7747]

Born in 1978!!!! Our era was the truth!!! Thank you fellas for having A.I on your podcast…💯💪

[@b.o.1951]

Born in 81. Grew up looking up to y’all era. Salute 😤

[@jongibo7747]

🙏🏼

[@guapymg2815]

Born in 04 still wanted to play like ai🤝🏾

[@lorenzoyoung698]

Born in '82, my freshman Year in high school was '96 the same year he got drafted, our whole basketball team was trying to do them dribbling moves off the Reebok commercial!!!!

[@jsax1978]

78 all day!

[@terrellamos3753]

“He woulda put me first like he always did…” RIP BIG JOHN ❤

[@garyrobinson8234]

The best Allen Iverson interview.

[@Michael-rw1ip]

Allen Iverson made me fall in love with sports. Y’all did yall big thing with this interview!

[@AMart870]

This is the BEST Allen Iverson interview, salute to Bubba Chuck AKA A.I. "The Answer" true trendsetter for basketball, one of the best small guards ever! 💯

[@Red-lu3ku]

Allen Iverson is one of the most down to earth superstars I’ve ever seen!

[@jefferybarefield6372]

Shout out to Q and D Miles for a excellent interview

[@thericster5541]

So happy that Coach Thompson continues to get his due respect. He raised generations of black men at Georgetown. And almost all of them speak of him with reverence like a father figure. RIP Coach

[@Zo_1987]

A.I. in the MF Building!💯💪

[@gainztrain9890]

Finally a solo Chuck interview.. Bcuz that dual one with Kyle Lowry a few years ago was disrespectful to have Chuck up there sharing the stage with Lowry

[@c.thompson7613]

It was Philly thing... that's the correlation

[@dasupremegentlelad4321]

I actually never watched that one. I don't like the whole live interviews with an audience, and that's for anyone of these basketball podcasts. It just feel like they can't talk their shii like they normally would

[@marquezpace1475]

It was all star weekend and they was just starting

[@BPS270]

He stay being disrespected that statue was blasphemy 😅

[@jaseallenson316]

You are totally ignoring all the logistics. Its crazy how yall get your panties in a bunch over shit, yet i guarantee AI himself didnt feel any disrespect.

[@davidcalixte9785]

Yo the reservoir dogs analogy got me. He was preaching

[@yonh5350]

Q has one way of asking questions and he’s sticking to it

[@FreezeSolo]

😆 Yeah, man. When Iverson got it, get out the way.

[@ericbullock5471]

Bubba Chuck we will always love you

[@sfrvnko7818]

THE BEST BASKETBALL PODCAST FOR INTERVIEWS

[@jonathanmartin8730]

Q and Darius ask the right questions, and let the guest speak on it. Great interview fellas. Love the stories on DC's finest Big John Thompson, and AI giving him props.

[@Rikm49]

A as a kid born in 1990.. raised by a tribe of Jordan/Magic fans.. I watched I’m hit Mike wit the Crossover @ 6yrs old & looked the reaction of the older guys in that room (All Jordan fans) and from that moment til I die.. 🐐 A.I.

[@heirling25]

Hallelujah, been missing Q&D Knuckleheads podcast!

[@Hotobu]

D. Miles stopped committing fraud so he's got time for podcasting now.

[@SuperMt24]

@@Hotobuplz explain

[@Hotobu]

@@SuperMt24 just google Darius Miles fraud

[@EJByrd]

Chuck my favorite player all time tied with Kobe. He made me wanna play basketball

[@brandonethereal1084]

What a treat! I will never get tired of hearing Bubbachuck speak...... Can't wait for the new documentary.🙏🏿🔥🔥

[@jfdcm3]

Man so happy to watch this one, AI is my favourite player of all time. Was damn near going to name my son Iverson after him until my wife talked me out of it 😂

[@leslyvee8691]

WE NEED STARBURY❤❤❤❤ YALL WENT GHOST IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE NBA SEASON.

[@jlee5114]

This is one of the best episodes ever!!! Watched it with no interruptions. 3 of my favorite players.

[@BristolBerg]

VA low key got mega superstars from AI to Chris Brown to Pharrell. Game changers

[@phillyblunts914]

Jay-Z was the first rapper I ever heard rap about Iverson. I'm the Question and the Answer like Iverson.

[@brianfaulcon4500]

Ai was that dude Georgetown dunkin on cats a generational gem salute chuck

[@khalilarashid]

This is one of the best AI interviews ever (in my opinion) or at least Top 2. Very thorough and asked most of the questions people want to know. Great job Knuckleheads! 🔥🔥

[@lloyddempsey2985]

My all time favorite player

[@KingGHall]

These three in one room is wild for me! This is my 8th grade year, crossing somebody, getting to the cup, then getting back doing the double fist on my forehead after a lay up!

[@Yo_Kev785]

💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💯💯💯💯💯 Uncle Chuck in the building.

[@johnnyblingg]

Oh my God!!! The Lord has answered one of my prayers and in true Knuckleheads fashion y’all come with some 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Y’all got the legend Allen Inversion on!

[@jayjones3276]

its about damn time!!! i been waiting on a episode to drop and we def need a allen iverson do over

[@dwaynestevens2512]

AI was one of the reasons I fell in love with basketball going up in Philly. This man is the definition of determination one of the 🐐

[@kreigerbailey3550]

Portland, JAMAICA in the Building!!! 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@miguelfevrier3476]

Gros Islet, SAINT LUCIA! hail up!

[@wade2ndboy]

Q ain't lying! I remember the hopstep cheese....Bron and Wade literally was unstoppable out of that

[@628curtis]

Finally got my favorite hooper on here! And I graduated from Hampton U

[@cognitivedisability9864]

AI the man! Made me fall in love with the game. What a dude, was always himself. Cant wait to watch this. If ya'll read these comments please let him know that he's the peoples champ. 😁 Edit: Seems he already knew he was the peoples champ 56:23

[@FlashGordon2fast]

Helluva episode! Big shout out to AI and the dope interview. BUT more importantly Q and D stick around man we miss and NEED YALL!!!!!

[@theonewhoisbetterthanyou3570]

*YESSSSSSSSSSS* THE ANSWER!!!! A.I. !!!!!!!!!! Bubba Chuck!!!! Allen IIIIIIIIIIIIVERSOOOOOOOOON!!!

[@financiallyfocused8829]

Q did his thing w the last questions. And AI wore the perfect hat

[@zeddwilliams6290]

Crazy they only got 43k subs we gotta run them up

[@Greatest203]

POUND FOR POUND G.O.A.T.

[@sejiroagosa]

AI Is A True Living Legend…And You Can’t Help But Love Him And The Love He Shows To Everyone

[@thetruefistofthenort]

🫡Salute to the entire Knuckleheads team for another amazing episode. Big salute to “The Answer”. An iconic figure amongst the most elite players of all time. I always loved his game & competitive fire but always admired him most for his honesty & love for the game. Another shot out to the Knuckleheads for providing a cap free space for the most influential faces of the game & continuing to deliver the best podcast in the game. Yak!🥃

[@MigoNico]

Maaan bout damn time. Miss yall niggas man I was watching an episode daily while I worked. Knuckleheads ✊🏾✊🏾

[@Rexorcist]

Worked? My nig you got fired on your day off or something?

[@Hotobu]

Darius Miles was too busy scamming people.

[@jfdcm3]

Man been waiting for y’all to start doing solo interviews again and y’all dropping one with AI, can’t wait to watch this one

[@CSDonohue11]

You can tell AI from Virginia. 😁 Still rockin the bent bill trucker hats & the only dude that can make it fly I met Bro at Mandalay Bay back in 2012 He was there for the week The Answer

[@londonstackhouse4145]

Allen Iverson the crossover the answer 🏀🏀😓 my 🐐

[@DomDaBomb215]

AI was my idle growin up I modeled my game after him braids tattoos sleeves sneakers clothes everything he changed the game and the world forever ✊🏽💯🔥🙏🏽

[@ventotv3654]

Facts

[@4ktkaram395]

Absolute Cinema

[@dsg3053]

Man, Darius Miles has had a great comeback. I hate hearing young black athletes struggle and burn out. Great story. Q Rich is a real friend.

[@PluggggGrub]

Had the iverson brand jerseys for picture day in elementary school grew up to buy the gtown color way DMV vibes 🔌🍽🍽🔌

[@kevinjohnson5513]

Great watch! 🔥 Darius Miles you got to tighten up! Can’t confuse Hampton and Bethel HS. Legendary rivalry in the 757!

[@upby20truckingllc57]

This podcast flows seamlessly

[@Roncash100]

I know the world loves ai but in Philadelphia 98-2005 he was like a superhero in our city, remember I met him at the scream tour in 2002 it was like meeting your idol

[@NM4251995]

Finally after 5 years yall have decided to drop the video on the actual day as the audio.

[@4ktkaram395]

We will be there

[@TRELL3132]

53:22 he was my idol growing up. He the reason I grew my hair out and got braids in 7th grade til the 10th grade. I even wanted to get a neck tattoo of Chinese writing and I wanted the mustache and goatee but couldn’t grow it that young

[@Jcyberchase22]

My boys! Glad y’all back

[@1DONJUAN2]

Busta Rhymes song 97 Don't Stop, Puff had a line saying with Allen Iverson running the point

[@MikeNoMichael]

His explanation on the goat talk us my favorite so far.

[@marcusmaxwell9487]

Must watch thanks guys

[@jonassims8558]

They brought the zone back for him and Shaq

[@Artislife1992]

My 🐐 ‼️ 7️⃣5️⃣7️⃣ in the building‼️

[@bridgeboysdk4915]

All time fav player A.i 1 Dirk 2 Iverson was and still is the culture fr 💯

[@Tony-oc8zz]

You from Texas ?

[@shimshonisrael7851]

🔥🚨🔥🚨🔥🚨 IM FROM NORFOLK VIRGINIA , THIS MAN IS THE BIGGEST LEGEND HERE IN VA , MY DREAM IS TO MEET HIM , I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU CHUCK FOR GIVING US HOPE IN THE 757

[@EJ-polloloco]

Been patiently waiting on a new full episode drop for the pod, glad to see yall back and even more happy to one of the 🐐s. 🫡🫡

[@bmoney6939]

Allen iverson should be apart of the 76ers organization he got alot of wisdom on being a player there's still a nba player in there somewhere .I didn't know what a crossover was before allen iverson.

[@Vapa247]

LIVE ON LOCATION

[@stephenstudivant7829]

I remember being a kid in the 757 and going to see Chuck, T.r. and Joe Smith play in the pro-am and Sweet Pea, and Bruce Smith in the stands. Tickets were $7

[@docholiday1463]

New knuckleheads podcast instant watch

[@Hackaveli]

The gang back ✊🏾😎✊🏾

[@FliCarGuy]

My all time favourite player. Til this day I’m known for always having a pair of Iversons on. Met AI on south beach back in the day and he was just walking up Collins solo.

[@danimalman3]

Been waiting for yall to drop something new!

[@crossthelinepodcast]

Facts!!✊🏾

[@tonybayarea]

Damn , Derrek Coleman. Haven't heard that name in a minute. My first pair of NBA shoes I got as a kid was the DC Dymacel's British Knights (1990).

[@lefty5595]

Great interview! I worked in the CJ system in Hampton/Newport News when Iverson was convicted and I always felt that he was dealt a bad hand by the system for the bowling alley fight. There were people who worked on the city prison farm who felt the same way and looked after him to make sure he stayed safe. 👍to Governor Wilder for the pardon to give the opportunity to AI!

[@lisamclaurinholt3196]

Thanks Knuckleheads. I love THE ANSWER. You two have excellent interview skills.

[@VENIKA]

Wonderful job with this interview, the questions were really thoughtful but helped to move the timeline naturally, also letting him talk so freely.

[@Gokugrams_]

its about damn TIME thank you knuckle heads ! one love

[@taahirthegreat]

2:41 To answer that question I just looked on Google and AI hit Chris Childs and the Knicks for 35-7-6 the 6th game of his rookie year. His first 40 point game was in a loss to the Bulls toward the end of the season, the first of five 40+ point games in a row.

[@ahilp-id7co]

Love how Chuck gave Kobe his props. It's stupid how people think Kobe ain't top5.

[@EJByrd]

As long as he gets the respect from the ones he played against, who gives a damn right ??? Lol

[@CSDonohue11]

Who thinks Kobe isn’t Top 5 ?? Idk WTH you’re lookin at

[@ahilp-id7co]

@@CSDonohue11 its all over socials,espn bro... its crazy how the lebron james PR team managed to convince clowns to push him to #2. these the clowns who say Kobe ain't top5. how can the closest player to the GOAT not be top5?? it don't make no damn sense smh

[@ahilp-id7co]

@@EJByrd idk bro fans should respect him too. my dad been watching since the 70s me the 90s and my dad say kobe is for sure top5 and he been watching the OGs like Kareem, Magic that says alot about Kobe

[@mikecliborn420]

​@@ahilp-id7cohes not even better than Duncan. There's no realistic scenario where Kobe breaks top 5 all time, thats blasphemous. Dude didn't play much his first 2 or last 3., which even makes his case for top 5 even worse.