Many players spend a long time with the same teams and connect with the cities, but none managed to establish the connection Allen Iverson had with Philly during his time on the Philadelphia 76ers. In his 12 seasons in the “City of Brotherly Love,” A.I. became a legend and icon who is beloved to this day for all he has done in a Sixers uniform.
In an interview last year for “Sixthman Sports,” Iverson reiterated his love for the city of Philadelphia and explained why he rocks with them so much.
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“I love Philly. It’s the biggest compliment for me to still have the relationship that I have with the people there. They were with me when I came in. I was 21 years old, I was still a kid, and they let me grow. My ups and downs. I failed so many times, got back up. All the bumps and bruises that I had off the basketball court, they continued to support me through my maturation,” Iverson exclaimed his love for Philadelphia.
Philly appreciates toughness
When it comes to NBA fan bases, Philadelphia is by far regarded as the harshest and most demanding city. While it is known as the “City of Brotherly Love,” it is also famous for being the place that booed Santa Claus. If you are stinking it up on the court, 76ers fans will let you know.
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However, on the other end of that spectrum, you will get unlimited and passionate support if you are giving it your all and playing hard night in and night out. That’s precisely why Iverson resonated with Philly fans so much, as his game depended on being fearless and leaving your heart out on the floor.
Standing at only 6’0″ and 165 lbs, A.I. had to play this way to stand out, as that made him bigger than most of his opponents. It’s safe to say that Sixers loyalists were in awe of their franchise guy.
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“One thing about the fans there, they always supported me. My thing was, every night, I’ll play every game like it’s my last. I’ve done that since I was a little kid, and I think they appreciated my effort night in and night out, regardless if I had a good game or not,” Allen praised the fan base.
The perfect pairing
Coming from a troubled childhood, starring at Georgetown and getting picked first in the iconic 1996 NBA Draft, Iverson came to the 76ers with a heavy burden of expectations on his shoulders. However, A.I. would deliver right away, winning the ROY award and showcasing that he was the go-to guy for the future.
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Over the years, Allen developed into one of the best guards in the game, flashiest individuals, deadliest ball handlers and a true superstar. While he only managed to lead them to the Finals once in 2001, with no titles or other significant playoff success, Iverson still reached immortal status in Philly.
“The love that they had for me, the feeling is mutual. I love those people, I love going back there. It’s always epic every time I come back to the city. I feel the love and they feel the love from me,” A.I. concluded.
While his career ended with lackluster stints on the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies, Iverson’s 12 years with the 76ers, in which he averaged 27.6 points and 6.7 assists per game, were enough for A.I. to be remembered as perhaps the most prominent sports legend in Philly’s history. The jersey in the rafters and the statue outside the arena are all the proof you need to back that claim up.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.