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USA Today via Reuters
Mar 10, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Former Philadelphia 76ers player Allen Iverson acknowledges the crowd during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Mar 10, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Former Philadelphia 76ers player Allen Iverson acknowledges the crowd during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
“He was the only one I could look up to.” Early in his tenure in the NBA, Carmelo Anthony had the rare opportunity to call Allen Iverson his mentor. However, things didn’t pan out as the Denver Nuggets hoped for. They continued to suffer back-to-back first-round losses, and the drubbing of 4-0 by the Lakers in 2008 was the final nail in the coffin. The two-season partnership ended when AI was traded, which Melo had no idea about.
“I don’t know the trade happened, I don’t know nothing is happening,” Anthony revealed on his weekly podcast and further explained that he was in the locker room when Iverson came running and was in tears. “Yo, I love you, bro. I’m out,” was the last message from AI to Carmelo Anthony before leaving.
Melo later realized it was Chauncey Billups who was joining in for his second stint with the Nuggets and called the moment bittersweet. “I needed him (Billups) at that point in time to orchestrate that and to teach me how to win,” Melo said on the podcast 7PM in Brooklyn.
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via Getty
PHOENIX – NOVEMBER 15: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on November 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 100-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Polls of the day
Poll 1 of 5
Who was the most influential player for the Denver Nuggets during Carmelo Anthony's era?
Carmelo Anthony
Allen Iverson
Chauncey Billups
Kenyon Martin
Do you think Giannis Antetokounmpo's Nike privilege gives him an unfair advantage?
Yes
No
Not sure
Whats your Perspective on:
Was Chauncey Billups the real leader the Nuggets needed more than Allen Iverson?
Have an interesting take?
Do you think Charles Barkley should stay with TNT amid the $1.8 billion legal battle?
Yes, he's irreplaceable
No, it's time for a change
Only if the legal issues are resolved
I don't care, just want good commentary
Which team poses the biggest threat to USA Women's Basketball at the Paris Olympics?
Australia
Spain
France
Canada
Soon after Billups joined in, the Nuggets were able to beat the first-round hurdle for the first time since Carmelo Anthony’s debut with the team. Melo himself put up his best numbers at the time by averaging 27.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in the 2009 playoffs, thus powering the team to the first WCF since 1985.
Anthony recalled that he was ready to take the next step in his career but needed a veteran like Chauncey Billups to help him focus on the court in a better way and he got ample guidance from the veteran. But Melo hasn’t forgotten the contribution of AI to his game.
The Dynamic Duo of Denver: Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson
“I felt like he was the only one who understood my dynamics and what I was dealing with and what I was going through,” Melo spoke about Iverson’s impact three months ago on his podcast.
What’s your perspective on:
Was Chauncey Billups the real leader the Nuggets needed more than Allen Iverson?
Have an interesting take?
In an old interview, Iverson had also said that the best part of playing with Anthony was never dealing with the pressure of scoring. He recalled a game where he scored around 14 points, but the Nuggets won by 27 points.
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“I was talking about that the other day. I had like 14 points and we won the game, in a blowout, 27 points. In Philadelphia, we were 7-49 when I scored under 15 points. That was just a good feeling,” Iverson said while talking about playing alongside Melo in an interview in 2007.
The Iverson-Anthony duo averaged 26.3 points per game and in the 2007-08 season, they ranked third and fourth respectively on the list of top scorers in the league. Carmelo Anthony’s highest-scoring regular season was in 2006-07 when Iverson joined the team for his first season.
Both AI and Billups had a significant impact as veterans on Melo and he never forgets their contribution in helping him when he was only young and emerging in the NBA.
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Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.
Debate
Was Chauncey Billups the real leader the Nuggets needed more than Allen Iverson?