LeBron James, as we all know, did not have an easy upbringing. He faced many challenges that came through living in the poverty-ridden streets of Akron and facing childhood without the influence of a father. These challenges forced LeBron James to rely on his sporting role models to open his eyes to the correct path to take out of his situation. As reported by Sports Illustrated, King James considered Michael Jordan to be his idol, his inspiration as a kid. But Allen Iverson was something even more special, something godlike and heavenly in the eyes of the Kid from Akron.
LeBron James was a huge NBA fan in his childhood and teen years before joining the league straight out of high school in 2003. He followed the NBA during the '90s when the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, dominated the league. He also got to view the brilliance of the Los Angeles Lakers with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant in the late '90s, early 2000s. He was a huge fan of 'His Airness' and 'The Answer' and made sure to copy their moves to improve his game as a high school player. And when LeBron James entered the league at the young and tender age of 18, he was ready to face the best players in the league and has dominated since then.
The King has high praise for The Answer
It's not often someone is called a 'god' by someone else, especially in the situation of a player with the status of LeBron James. But that is exactly what the King considered Allen Iverson to be for him. LeBron's reasoning for this compliment is that Allen was a huge role model for all theAfrican-American children in the inner suburbs who were facing challenges in their lives, every day.
And the way Mr. Iverson handled himself as a professional basketball player at the time, left James astounded and was a huge reason he idolized the Philadelphia 76ers legend.
“He represented what black kids were all about, and he resonated with every inner-city kid in the world who had a struggle... Michael Jordan inspired me, and I looked up to him, but he was out of this world.
A.I. was really the god,” said LeBron James on Allen Iverson.
Respect goes both ways
LeBron James has shown the high amount of respect he has for 'The Answer', and Allen Iverson has shown that respect right back at LeBron. After the 2017 NBA Finals ended drastically in game five, Allen Iverson made a statement. He said LeBron James is still the best player in the league, but he's happy for Kevin Durant for finally winning an NBA championship. Allen never had the chance to experience the true feeling of joy when holding up that Larry O'Brien trophy, so he wishes nothing but the best for others that attempt to reach that feat.
Iverson stated that he also would've liked to see Patrick Ewing and Charles Barkley win championships in the '80s and '90s as they never got the chance to experience what KD, LeBron, Jordan, Kobe and many other greats for the chance to experience.
