Iverson: Larry Brown made me into a Hall of Famer
With over a decade to reflect upon their rocky relationship, Allen Iverson sees former head coach Larry Brown in a much different light.
The two headstrong characters clashed during their time with the Philadelphia 76ers, but now Iverson has nothing but love for the former disciplinarian.
An emotional Iverson credited Brown and his teammates for helping him get into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
"That's the only thing that got me here is my teammates," Iverson told reporters. "My teammates and my coach. That's the only reason I'm here. ...
"Larry Brown molded me into an MVP and a Hall of Fame player. Without those guys I wouldn't be here."
Iverson's comments on Thursday mirror sentiments he shared with CSN Philly's Jessica Camerato in April. During that interview, "The Answer" said he was difficult when it came to receiving criticism from Brown.
"I wish I would have bought in to what (Brown) was trying to give me all along (instead of) just being defiant. Being a certified ass - for nothing. When all he wanted was the best for me," Iverson said in April.
"And I didn't take constructive criticism the way I should have. You know what I mean? To me, in my eyes, he's the best coach ever. To me. You know what I mean? And I didn't take what God was giving me the right way. God sent him to me, and I was defiant at that time."
Iverson's best seasons came with Brown at the helm. In the six years they shared together, Iverson averaged 27.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.4 steals while making four All-Star Games, winning an MVP award, and making a run to the NBA Finals in 2001