Iverson to Kobe: 'You brought so much out of me like no other player'
Allen Iverson says that no other player motivated him like Kobe Bryant did.
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1 min read
The 2000-01 NBA season belonged to Allen Iverson. Playing like a man possessed, Iverson was named MVP and led the ragtag Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals. Yet as hard as he tried, Iverson and the Sixers couldn't dethrone Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, losing the Finals in five games.
That series and almost every other subsequent matchup between Iverson and Bryant were spirited affairs as both players tried to outduel one another. From these spirited bouts and with Bryant approving of how Iverson represented his hometown of Philadelphia, the two developed a mutual respect for each other. Which is why Iverson had a heartfelt message for Bryant after the Lakers star announced that he will retire at the end of this season.
"To the Mamba," Iverson said via SportsCenter. "You brought so much out of me like no other player ever has. There will never, ever be another player like Kobe Bryant. I love you bro and good luck to you."
A touching statement by Iverson, who like LeBron James, was motivated by Bryant to be the player that he was during his career.
