Latest news with #AllenIverson
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"I don't want to steal the spotlight" - MJ ripped speculation that his Wizards stint was about stealing the show from the young stars
"I don't want to steal the spotlight" - MJ ripped speculation that his Wizards stint was about stealing the show from the young stars originally appeared on Basketball Network. After three years in retirement, a two-time farewell tour and the cementing of a legacy that needed no revisions, Michael Jordan announced he was lacing up his sneakers again in 2001. But it wasn't for another championship push with the Chicago Bulls this time. Advertisement It was for the Washington Wizards, a struggling franchise that had won just 19 games the season before. The news ricocheted across media outlets with a familiar mixture of awe, confusion and skepticism. Headlines mulled over the motivations. Whether it was pride, boredom or a desire to hijack the spotlight from a league that was starting to move on without him. Not stealing the spotlight In truth, the NBA had already entered a new chapter. Allen Iverson was fresh off an MVP season and an NBA Finals run. Kobe Bryant had begun his slow burn into superstardom. Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Paul Pierce were the new faces on posters. Advertisement It was no longer Jordan's league and some voices, especially from media corners, suggested that his return risked stalling the rise of the next generation. But the six-time champion wasn't having any of it. "I don't want to overshadow young players," MJ said. "A lot of people were very nervous about me stopping the growth of the NBA because of my participation in the NBA." The Bulls icon was setting the record straight. Jordan knew the impact of his presence, the gravitational pull he still commanded in arenas, on TV ratings and inside locker rooms. But in his view, his return was aimed at contribution. Coming back at 38, Jordan was fully aware that the NBA he left in 1998 wasn't the same one he stepped into in 2001. The league had grown flashier, faster, and louder, and the stars were younger. But the five-time MVP still believed there was room for craft, leadership, and a burning will to compete. Advertisement Even as a part-owner and president of basketball operations for the Wizards, his desire to play again had grown too strong to ignore. He trained obsessively, reportedly losing 30 pounds to prepare for the physical toll. His comeback was strategic. He wanted to elevate the Wizards' profile, inspire the young roster and reignite a passion that had dimmed after years of rebuilding. Related: "I didn't agree with it in '91, I don't agree with it now" - John Salley admitted he didn't want to walk off the court without shaking the Bulls' players' hands Mr. Air's last return Most of the stars who came up in that era saw MJ as their boyhood hero — Bryant, Iverson, McGrady and many others. It was unorthodox for a player to come back and play after retirement, but Jordan had done it back in 1993. But this time, he came back for the love of the game. Advertisement In his first season back, His Ariness averaged 22.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists. His instincts remained untouched even with a body that no longer moved like it once did. Critics argued it was ego. But the league's former apex predator countered with clarity. "I'm only here to add," Jordan said. "I'm here to aid and help and at the same time, get that itch scratched. "I don't want to steal the spotlight from Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and those kind of people," he stated. What MJ understood and what many failed to see in the noise of his return was that greatness doesn't need to hoard attention. It simply demands space to be what it is. His presence didn't suffocate the next generation; it sharpened them. Advertisement Jordan's impact in those two years with Washington was tone-setting. He showed how preparation never ages, pride can still translate into production, and mentorship isn't always done with a clipboard. By the time he retired for the final time in April 2003, he had averaged 20.0 points in his age-40 season. He became the oldest player in NBA history to score 40 points in a game. But perhaps more importantly, he left without taking anything away from those who were rising behind him. Related: Kevin Garnett left Michael Jordan off his all-time starting five: "He is the god, and we copied him and s—t, but I got Kob' at my two" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Nobody's talking about The Mamba when comparing who's the best," Iverson says The exclusion of Kobe in the GOAT debate is ridiculous45
"Nobody's talking about The Mamba when comparing who's the best," Iverson says The exclusion of Kobe in the GOAT debate is ridiculous45 originally appeared on Basketball Network. The NBA's greatest of all-time debate isn't one that will die out as the rhythm of the conversation has long been set with Michael Jordan at the forefront, his shadow stretching over generations of basketball greatness. Yet, it's not always the mention of a name that ignites controversy. Advertisement Sometimes, the names that are left out send shockwaves through the discourse. Allen Iverson, one of the most influential guards to ever lace up in the NBA, knows the weight of legacy and the repeated exclusion of Kobe Bryant from the GOAT conversation isn't just an oversight. It's a blatant erasure of basketball history. Bryant's case Iverson battled through Bryant's era. Their careers, linked by an era of grit, intensity and uncompromising competitiveness, overlapped in a way that only peers can truly speak on. In his eyes, no debate about greatness is whole without Kobe's name firmly in the mix. Advertisement "Right when you think Mike is the greatest, which he is, but then, Kobe Bryant come along," Iverson said. "Then you got LeBron James. I get kind of upset at times when people talk about the comparison of LeBron and Mike. And I'm like, 'damn.' "People kind of forget [about Bryant]. I would say out of mind is real. Nobody's talking about The Mamba when comparing who's the best that ever played?" Bryant won five NBA championships, claimed two Finals MVP awards, had an 81-point masterpiece against the Toronto Raptors — a performance that remains the second-highest scoring performance in league history — and is an 18-time NBA All-Star. He also claimed two Olympic gold medals and is the only player with two jersey numbers retired, each representing a different phase of greatness. Advertisement Iverson doesn't pretend to crown Bryant above Jordan. His admiration for Jordan remains intact, but he gives Bryant his flowers. That proximity is earned, not gifted. It's forged from 20 seasons of relentless competitiveness, 33,643 career points and an unyielding desire to outwork everyone in the gym. Kobe didn't ask to be compared to Jordan but trained to force the comparison. Related: "We only needed one more guy" - Patrick Beverley says the Clippers lost SGA because Kawhi thought he needed more help Creating the legacy When Bryant entered the league in 1996, he was just a wiry teenager obsessed with greatness. Over the years, that obsession morphed into transformation. He became the closest thing the league had ever seen to the man who ruled Chicago for 13 years. Advertisement "As far as GOAT, it's Michael Jordan all day long, and Kobe Bryant is right on his heels," Iverson said. Iverson and Bryant famously clashed in the 2001 NBA Finals, where the Philadelphia 76ers stole Game 1 in Los Angeles behind Iverson's unforgettable 48-point performance. But it was Bryant who Iverson said scared him most during that series. The Lakers superstar averaged 24.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists during the Finals as his team won the title. Iverson knew Bryant as a competitor, a rival and, ultimately, a brother in the fraternity of greatness. He is always surprised when Bryant is being overlooked in the all-time great debate. The conversation around greatness will never be neat. There are no neat boxes for the messy, generational weight of legends. But Iverson has seen enough to know what should never be left out. Advertisement The GOAT debate isn't only about who finished with the most rings or the best stats. It's also about the impact — the fear a player puts in opponents' hearts, the weight of their presence on the floor and the standard they set for everyone else. And by every one of those measures, Kobe belongs right there. Related: Larry Brown on the biggest difference between Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant: "He was coming back from the club at six o'clock in the morning" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LeBron James Says Ring Culture Is A Problem: "You're Telling Me Iverson, Barkley, And Nash Weren't F**** Unbelievable?"
LeBron James Says Ring Culture Is A Problem: "You're Telling Me Iverson, Barkley, And Nash Weren't F**** Unbelievable?" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Winning is everything in the NBA, and even the legacies of the greatest NBA superstars can be reduced to an afterthought in the eyes of the community. For LeBron James, this narrative is the wrong approach to have about NBA basketball and exemplifies everything that's wrong with NBA discourse. Advertisement "I don't know why it's discussed so much in our sport and why it's the end-all-be-all of everything," said James on the 'Mind the Game' podcast. "You tell me Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, and Steve Nash weren't f**** unbelievable? They can't be talked about with these guys because they won rings? It's like saying Peyton Manning can't be in the same room with Tom Brady or Mahomes because he only has one ring. They don't ever discuss that in their sport. Of telling me Dan Marino is not the greatest slinger of All-Time because he didn't win a championship., They don't discuss those things. Barry Bonds never won a World Series, and you can't sit here and tell me that he's not the greatest baseball player to ever touch a bat." There are countless examples throughout sports history of superstar athletes failing to meet expectations in the playoffs. The list includes baseball legends like Barry Bonds and former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino. It also includes the NBA logo itself, Jerry West, who only won one championship despite nine trips with the Lakers. "Jerry West went to like nine straight NBA Finals and was only able to win one ring. And he's the logo of our league," said James. "So you can't sit here and tell me that, okay, because he only won one, the guy can't be in the same room with the guy who won two or three or four. Like, why not?" As a 4x NBA champion, LeBron has nothing left to prove as a player, and his legacy as a winner is already secured. As a 4x MVP, 21x All-Star, and 21x All-NBA player, he has already seen the ultimate success, and he knows what it takes to get there. Advertisement Sadly, the same cannot be said for most NBA players. Many spend their entire careers hoping to make a title run, and even some of the game's top performers (like Steve Nash, Charles Barkley, and Chris Paul) failed to capture that elusive Larry O'Brien trophy. Instead of discrediting their greatness or downplaying their achievements, LeBron wants to see the narrative shift. He believes that the game's top players should be celebrated and respected enough to look beyond the ring count. Unlike the MVP, statistical averages, or All-NBA selection, championships are not meant for individual recognition. Titles can only be won as a team, and many variables at play determine the outcome of a Finals series. For LeBron, what matters is whether the star can step up when it counts and come through for his team whenever they need it. Win or lose, a true superstar and leader will make their impact felt in many ways, and they deserve the proper recognition, even if they fail to ultimately win a title. Related: LeBron James Hints At Playing Longer Thanks To Encouragement From His Children This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
LeBron James reveals true feelings on ring culture in NBA, how it affects all-time rankings
A large argument as to why most believe Michael Jordan still trumps LeBron James in the all-time rankings if their championship resumes. Jordan, of course, was undefeated in NBA Finals appearances. James is 4-6. But James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, has constantly proclaimed himself as the greatest of all time. Well, he made it clear on his "Mind the Game" podcast with Steve Nash that rings should not be the end-all-be-all to the GOAT conversation. The NBA legends were asked by a listener why "ring culture" is "so much more prevalent in the NBA than in other sports," James said he "wish[ed] I had the answer," but he had a lengthy response. "I don't know why it's discussed so much in our sport and why it's the end-all-be-all of everything. Like, OK, 'You weren't a great player if you never won a championship,' or 'If you've won one, then you can't be in the same conversation as this person," James began. "I don't know, man, it's just like you sit here and tell me that Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley and Steve Nash are f---ing, wasn't unbelievable?" James said. "Like, 'Oh, they can't be talked about or discussed with these guys because this guy won one ring or won two rings.' It's just weird to me." James mentioned that the conversation does not exist in the same capacity in other sports, name-dropping Dan Marino, who he dubbed "the greatest singer of all-time." "Barry Bonds never won a World Series, and you can't sit here and not tell me that he isn't the greatest baseball player to ever touch a bat," James continued. "I just, I don't understand where it came from. I don't know where it started. We have to appreciate more of what guys have been able to accomplish, what guys have been able to do." James, of course, knew that the question largely surrounds his legacy. "A ring is a team accomplishment. And if you happen to have a moment where you're able to share that with your team, that should be discussed. 'This team was the greatest team,' or 'that team.' You can have those conversations. But trying to nitpick an individual because he was not able to win a team game or a team match, or whatever the case may be, I don't know where it started, but it's a long conversation, especially when it comes to me individually. It's so weird. It's never enough." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"I can't get so close to it, too, because of my competitive nature" - Michael Jordan on why he can't get himself to be a fan of any one player in the NBA
"I can't get so close to it, too, because of my competitive nature" - Michael Jordan on why he can't get himself to be a fan of any one player in the NBA originally appeared on Basketball Network. Michael Jordan isn't watching the game with rose-tinted glasses or holding a torch for any single player. The icon who helped shape modern basketball into the global spectacle it is today continues to keep an eye on the league, but not in the way most fans might imagine. Advertisement His relationship with the NBA has shifted, not cooled off, but transformed. From the moment he stepped away from playing for the final time in 2003, Jordan's connection with the game has remained rooted in admiration and respect but not in allegiance to personalities. Jordan's side of the game The Hall of Famer is a fan of many superstars like LeBron James and the likes of Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson when they were still active. But he doesn't get too attached. 'I'm a big fan. I like to watch the basketball,' Jordan said. 'So I'm still a fan and I can't get so far away from it and I can't get so close to it, too, because of my competitive nature.' Advertisement His presence has evolved from being the fire on the court to becoming a measured observer with an ownership stake, front-office experience and the mindset of a titan who once dominated it all. While others look for a new 'favorite' player to follow, Jordan watches with a different lens, one sharpened by a history that demands no replacements. Over the past two decades, a parade of superstars has stepped into the spotlight, each one attempting, in some way, to carry the torch Jordan left behind. James entered the league with the weight of 'The Chosen One' stitched into his legacy before he played a single professional game. Already ascending in the late '90s, Bryant mirrored Jordan's intensity, footwork, and tireless mindset. Anthony was captivated by scoring bursts and pure offensive skill, while Iverson electrified crowds with raw energy, unapologetic swagger, and a crossover that became cultural currency. Jordan recognized them all. That competitive nature is the core of how Jordan approaches life after playing. During his prime, every possession mattered, every matchup was personal, and every championship was a war of attrition. Advertisement Getting 'too close' to the game now means seeing players through the eyes of a rival, not a spectator. It's why fandom, in the traditional sense, doesn't fit. He doesn't throw his support behind one name or build his evenings around one star's stat line. An owner's perspective When Jordan torched teams for 30.1 points per game across his 15 seasons (the highest career scoring average in NBA history), there was never room for neutrality. Competitiveness swallowed sentiment. That same instinct lingers now. It's why his admiration exists with boundaries. He has always stayed close to the game even after retiring. In 2010, Jordan became the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets), marking the first time a former player assumed majority control of an NBA team. That move deepened his relationship with the league and altered it entirely. Ownership became about stewardship, investment, and legacy. Advertisement 'Right where I am is the right place to be where I own a team,' Jordan said. 'Obviously I'm involved in a team but I allow them to be and let the game play in this era.' It's a delicate balance — being close enough to influence and far enough not to interfere. That posture comes with maturity and a deep understanding of cycles. Every era has its own rhythm and its own heroes. Jordan's doesn't overlap with this one. The players dominating today grew up idolizing him. But he doesn't try to pull them back into his orbit. From 2010 to 2023, under his ownership, Charlotte experienced limited on-court success — just three playoff appearances, none advancing past the first round. But Jordan's legacy was never tied to front-office wins. Instead, he focused on presence, visibility and carving a model where former players could transition into business leadership. Related: Michael Jordan once shared what separated him from other great players in the NBA: "I don't take the game so serious that it becomes the business" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
