Editing Allen Iverson (section)

====Early years (1996–2000)====
[[File:Allen Iverson Lipofsky.jpg|thumb|Iverson with the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] in a 2001 game]]
After two seasons at [[Georgetown Hoyas|Georgetown]], Iverson was selected with the 1st overall pick in the [[1996 NBA draft]] to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]]. Listed at {{height|ft=6}} tall, he became the shortest first overall pick ever, in a league normally dominated by taller players.

Iverson came to a Philadelphia team that had just finished the previous season with a dismal 18–64 record. In his NBA debut, Iverson recorded 30 points and 6 assists on a 103–111 loss to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199611010PHI.html|title=Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers Box Score, November 1, 1996|publisher=Basketball-Reference|access-date=October 21, 2019|archive-date=March 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323174402/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199611010PHI.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He tied [[Willie Anderson (basketball)|Willie Anderson]] for the third highest scoring output by a rookie guard in his debut. On November 12, 1996, Iverson recorded a then career-high of 35 points to go along with 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals on a 101–97 road win over the [[New York Knicks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199611120NYK.html|title=Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks Box Score, November 12, 1996|publisher=Basketball-Reference|access-date=October 21, 2019|archive-date=October 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021103243/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199611120NYK.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In a game against the [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|55–8 Chicago Bulls]], Iverson scored 37 points and memorably [[Crossover dribble|crossed over]] [[Michael Jordan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/170312020|title=Bulls vs. 76ers – Box Score – March 12, 1997 – ESPN|access-date=March 5, 2017|archive-date=February 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210114115/https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/170312020|url-status=live}}</ref> He broke [[Wilt Chamberlain]]'s rookie record of three straight games with at least 40 points, doing so in five straight games, including a 50-point effort in Cleveland against the Cavaliers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1997-04-13/sports/25531721_1_sixers-loss-allen-iverson-cavs|title=Archives - Philly.com|access-date=March 5, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080320/http://articles.philly.com/1997-04-13/sports/25531721_1_sixers-loss-allen-iverson-cavs|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://phillysportshistory.com/2011/04/14/allen-iverson-scores-40-in-five-straight/|title=Allen Iverson Scores 40 in Five Straight Philly Sports History|access-date=March 5, 2017|archive-date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622024035/http://phillysportshistory.com/2011/04/14/allen-iverson-scores-40-in-five-straight/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Averaging 23.5 points per game, 7.5 assists per game and 2.1 steals per game for the season, Iverson was named the [[NBA Rookie of the Year]]. Iverson was only able to help the Sixers to a 22–60 record in [[1996–97 Philadelphia 76ers season|1996–97]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1997.html |title=1996–97 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-date=August 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802101639/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1997.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Aided by the arrivals of [[Theo Ratliff]], [[Eric Snow]], [[Larry Hughes]], [[Aaron McKie]], and new coach [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]], Iverson continued to help the 76ers move forward the following season, as they improved nine games to finish 31–51.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1998.html |title=1997–98 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-date=August 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802042652/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1998.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During their time together in Philadelphia, Iverson and fellow guard Hughes were nicknamed "the Flight Brothers", for their above-the-rim and athletic play style.<ref>[https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/836630-philadelphia-76ers-ranking-the-most-dazzling-duos-in-franchise-history Philadelphia 76ers: Ranking the Most Dazzling Duos in Franchise History]{{Dead link|date=February 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://uproxx.com/dimemag/larry-hughes-allen-iverson-teammates-once-again/ |title=Larry Hughes & Allen Iverson: Teammates Once Again |date=October 27, 2011 |access-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908194538/https://uproxx.com/dimemag/larry-hughes-allen-iverson-teammates-once-again/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 26, 1999, Iverson signed a six-year, $70.9 million max contract extension.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/01/27/76ers-give-iverson-the-max/|title=76ers give Iverson the max|publisher=[[Tampa Bay Times]]|date=January 27, 1999|accessdate=February 25, 2022|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225193511/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/01/27/76ers-give-iverson-the-max/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-27-sp-2177-story.html|title=Iverson Lands a $70.9-Million Deal With 76ers|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=January 27, 1999|accessdate=February 25, 2022|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225193511/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-27-sp-2177-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=William C. Rhoden|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/05/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-past-is-a-drag-on-iverson-s-future.html|title=Sports of The Times; The Past Is a Drag On Iverson's Future|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 5, 1999|accessdate=February 25, 2022|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225194001/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/05/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-past-is-a-drag-on-iverson-s-future.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[1998–99 NBA lockout|lockout-shortened]] 1998–1999 season would mark great improvement for the 76ers. Iverson averaged 26.8 points (which led the league, earning his first scoring title) and was named to his first All-NBA First Team. The Sixers finished the season at 28–22, earning Iverson his first trip to the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1999.html |title=1998–99 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-date=November 4, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041104210626/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1999.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He started all ten playoff games and averaged 28.5 points per game despite being hampered by a number of nagging injuries. Iverson led the Sixers to an upset over the number three seeded [[Orlando Magic]] in four games, before losing to the [[Indiana Pacers]] in the second round in six games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1999.html |title=1999 NBA Playoffs Summary |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-date=November 4, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041104080049/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1999.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[1999–2000 Philadelphia 76ers season|1999–2000 NBA season]], the Sixers would continue to improve under Iverson's leadership, as they finished 49–33, once again qualifying for the playoffs (this time earning the fifth seed, one spot higher than the previous year's sixth seed).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2000.html |title=1999-00 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-date=May 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529200055/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2000.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the playoffs, Iverson averaged 26.2 points, 4.8 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Philadelphia would advance past the [[Charlotte Hornets]] in the opening round, but was eliminated by Indiana in the second round in six games for the second straight year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2000.html |title=2000 NBA Playoffs Summary |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915015624/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2000.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

That season, Iverson was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the first time of what would be 11 straight selections. He was the only player other than [[Shaquille O'Neal]] to receive an [[NBA Most Valuable Player|MVP]] vote that year. In the 2000 off-season, the 76ers actively tried to trade Iverson after his numerous disagreements with then-coach [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]], and had agreed to terms with the [[Detroit Pistons]] before [[Matt Geiger]], who was included in the deal, refused to forfeit his $5 million trade kicker.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCJ/is_5_28/ai_71187961
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050330030136/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCJ/is_5_28/ai_71187961
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=March 30, 2005
|title=Brotherly Love Like – Allen Iverson, under the coaching of Larry Brown, emerges as team captain of the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers
|date=March 2001
|first=John
|last=Smallwood, Jr.
|publisher=Basketball Digest
}}</ref>