Dwyane Wade hails hero Allen Iverson during HOF speech, but who was the man they called “The Answer?”
During his speech the former Miami Heat star paid tribute to his hero, a player who was as divisive as he was talented, and perhaps the best shooting ever.
From his unstoppable crossover to his incomparable athleticism, the former Philadelphia 76ers star captivated audiences with his no-fear attitude which even the likes of the great Michael Jordan and the late Kobe Bryant had to acknowledge. Indeed, that’s precisely why Dwyane Wade was inspired by him.
Dwyane Wade pays tribute to Allen Iverson
On Saturday night, Dwyane Wade was deservedly inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall as part of the 2023 Hall of Fame class. As he took to the stage, he was met by the player who presented him, a fellow Hall of Famer (2016), and quite frankly the man who along with Wade is considered by many to be the greatest shooting guard in NBA history, Allen Iverson. The former Philadelphia 76ers star was decked out in a custom suit with No. 3 on the back, which of course is the number that was worn by both men.
What you might not know, however, is the fact that Iverson was Wade’s idol and that was something the three-time NBA champion spoke about at length in his emotional speech. Indeed, Wade addressed the way in which the 48-year-old Iverson had impacted his career, right down to his choice of No. 3 as his jersey number and even the use of an arm sleeve which Iverson always wore. “Our heroes are not always perfect. Instead, they possess a relatability that makes them touchable and real. When anyone speaks about Allen Iverson, that’s exactly what they say,” said Wade. “You brought hope to those who grew up with limited resources. You showed us that success and greatness are attainable even in the face of adversity. Your struggles made your accomplishments that much more remarkable. A.I., you are a living, breathing reminder that redemption and growth are possible. I respectfully wore the No. 3 throughout my college and NBA career to represent the love and respect that I have for this man,” said Wade.
Who was Allen Iverson?
Nicknamed “The Answer”, Iverson played 14 seasons NBA where he played both shooting guard and point guard. Awarded Rookie of the Year in 1997, he would go on to be named an NBA All-Star on 11 occasions, winning MVP in the All-Star game twice: 2001 when he was also named league MVP and 2005. With accolades such as these, it should come as no surprise that Iverson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 as mentioned above, and was later named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. To this day he is regarded as one of the greatest scorers and among the most influential in NBA history.
Yet, that’s who Allen Iverson the player was. Allen Iverson the man was another story. From a troubled childhood in Hampton, Virginia where he grew up with his then-single teenage mother, to an extremely controversial stint in jail in his late teens, Iverson had a turbulent adolescence. Yet, he was also truly gifted as evidenced by his performances both on the football field and basketball court. Having led his Bethel High School teams (both sports) to state championships, while picking up High School Player of the Year in both as well, it was clear there was a star in the making. From there, the college game beckoned and it was the Gergetown Hoyas who would benefit from his unprecedented ability, as he led the team to a Big East Championship en route to an appearance in the Elite Eight. To the dismay of the program and its fans, Iverson declared for the 1996 NBA Draft following his sophomore year, and as they say, the rest is history.