Written by Rowan Kavner at Clippers.com
As two 6-foot starting point guards matched up against each other in Philadelphia, the 6-foot point guard prototype watched from above.
It took less than a second Monday night to see the impact still left behind in Philadelphia by Allen Iverson, who was shown on the videoboard catching the game from a suite between the first and second quarter. Immediately, the noise throughout the arena began to crescendo to a level unheard the rest of the night.
The mere sight of Iverson brought every 76ers fan to his or her feet, the standing ovation a recognition of the former MVP and 11-time All-Stars accomplishments in the city.
But Iverson’s impact went far beyond Philadelphia.
“I think he brought back the little young, small, fast guards,” said Clippers head coach Doc Rivers. “Ish Smith and all these guys, I mean, there was a time where I was an average point guard size, and I’m big.”
Now, Rivers looks around at the multiple 6-foot point guards around the league, two of which played in front of him Monday night in Smith and Chris Paul, and he sees a position that’s somewhat diminished in size.
“They’ve taken the touch out, but Allen played during the touch era, when you could body and check, and he still was effective,” Rivers said. “Part of it is toughness. I don’t think people appreciate how tough he was, because he was small.”
If players don’t appreciate it, Paul’s the exception.
Iverson’s part of the reason Paul wears the No. 3 jersey, the other because he’s the third “CP” in his family, after his father and older brother. Six years after the final game of Iverson’s career, and a decade after his prime, he’s still rubbing off on players.
Part of it’s the five seasons averaging more than 30 points per game, the four scoring titles and multiple All-NBA First Team selections. But Iverson’s impact goes beyond that.
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