In NBA, there are countless debates about who is the greatest player of all time. Recently, a former NBA player has made a bold claim for a player from his time over the younger stars. He argues that Allen Iverson is known not only for his basketball but has paved the way for a cultural shift.?

In a recent podcast interview, Mike Bibby was asked about the bench player and he listed Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, and Stephen Curry. And then the host moved the conversation a bit and Mike recalls a robust cultural memory associated with Allen Iverson.

The Cultural Impact by Allen Iverson?

Mike Bibby says Allen Iverson has changed a lot of stuff since ?we? were growing up. The host puts forth Dame, Kyrie, and Steph and then he says, “Let me just take out Stephen Curry. AI (Allen Iverson)?”

Mike replied by saying that ?I am gonna start with AI, He has changed a lot of stuff for you know when we were growing up everybody got tattoos probably because of him.?

Allen Iverson burst onto the scene in 1996 when the 76ers drafted him as the first overall pick. He quickly became known for his electrifying style night after night. One aspect of his persona was his extensive collection of tattoos, a trend that caught fire across basketball culture.?

During an era where many athletes hesitated to display inked skin publicly due to endorsement concerns, Iverson proudly showcased his body art without reservation. His fearless approach sparked a movement within basketball circles and beyond; soon enough, tattoos became synonymous with self-expression among players across different sports leagues worldwide.

Mike recognized other greats too?

While Mike Bibby made his case for Allen Iverson, he also acknowledged the immense talent of Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving. Both players have carved out their own legacies in the NBA.

Lillard, known as Dame Time, has become one of the most clutch performers in recent memory. His ability to hit game-winning shots from near half-court range has solidified his status as one of today’s premier guards. With multiple All-Star appearances and an uncanny ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations, Lillard is undoubtedly formidable at any given game.?

READ MORE: From Michael Jordan to Wilt Chamberlain, Ranking the Top 10 NBA Players of All Time

While Bibby believes these two players are exceptional in their abilities, too. He firmly stands by Allen Iverson as being above them all.

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