Iverson not surprised that Kobe is still killing it in NBA
MANILA, Philippines – Allen Iverson, the no.1 overall pick of the 1996 draft class, isn’t surprised that his batchmate Kobe Bryant is still playing at a high level.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is the only remnant of the 1996 rookie draft class, arguably the best in the NBA history.
“Not at all,” said Iverson when asked by a small group of Filipino reporters whom he granted an exclusive interview during his “All In” Charity Tour in Manila.
Bryant has come back from two serious injuries to defy Father Time.
At 36, the defiant Lakers superstar is still up there, one of the game’s best players as he averages 24.8 points, eight-best in the league. He’s lacing that up with 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists through four games, which, ironically, all resulted in a loss.
“His work ethic is right where it's supposed to be. His heart is where it's supposed to be and his competitiveness is right where it is supposed to be, so I’m not surprised at all that he’s playing at a high level,” Iverson said.
Bryant is seen as the remaining reminder of how talent-rich was the 1996 draft class.
One by one, Bryants’ batchmates that made it big in the league fell either through forced retirement or by choice.
Iverson was forced to retire in the 2011 season following a brief comeback from the Turkish league. The next three picks Marcus Camby, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Stephon Marbury and including sixth pick Antoine Walker have been away from the game for so long.
Read: 'We talkin about practice?': Iverson not interested to coach in NBA
Marbury, who like Iverson is being represented by Filipina agent Sheryl Reyes in Asia, has found a new home in home in China where he led the Beijing Ducks to two CBA titles.
Steve Nash, the 15th overall pick of their batch and teammate of Bryant at the Lakers was forced to sit out this season with a recurring back injury in what could probably the end of the road for the 40-year old Canadian playmaker.
Jermaine O’ Neal (17th) and Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20th) are also enjoying elsewhere away from the rigors of the NBA while Derek Fisher (24th) traded his jersey for a suit and tie at the New York Knicks bench.
Only Ray Allen, the fifth overall pick of their draft, has the chance to join Bryant this season if he opts to sign with a playoff-bound team in February for another run at the NBA title. If he elects to retire, he will be remembered as one of the league’s pure shooters that won two rings.
“We have the best draft class. People try to debate it all the time with the draft class of LeBron, D-Wade and Melo but no draft class is like us,” said Iverson, who corrected the question by removing the word ‘probably’ affixed to it.
The 2003 draft class of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh might surpass what the 1996 batch has achieved but Bryant and Iverson will be the constant reminders of the generation that bridged the gap between the Michael Jordan era to this present generation of NBA superstars.
“He’s (Jordan) the reason why I played basketball. He’s like a hero to me,” Iverson said.
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