Allen Iverson Reveals True Feelings About LeBron James Copying His Iconic NBA Look

“(Allen Iverson) reminds me of Floyd Mayweather. You could never question (Iverson’s) heart, his will to want to win. A true warrior.” LeBron James once highly spoke about the Philadelphia 76ers legend. And it’s one of the many instances where the Lakers superstar has given credit to AI for changing the culture of the game. So, how does Bubba Chuck truly feel about it? Especially when his ‘Lil bro’ has copied one of the iconic looks.

In the latest announcement with the brand Actively Black, AI was asked, “How does it feel to see so many athletes across all sports now wearing the sleeve?” The video aired with players wearing single sleeves such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Ray Allen, and Carmelo Anthony. For the 2001 MVP that was a ‘dope’ moment. “It’s a great feeling to have that impact. In your mind, you thinking, ‘they doing it because they trying to get healthy.’ When the fact that they doing it, to emulate me, that’s dope,” AI answered.

He had begun wearing the sleeve due to bursitis in his right elbow in the 2000-01 season. The first game he wore it to, AI scored 51 points and he never took it off. It soon became a fashion statement among fans. Not only did the sleeve become the most popular non-apparel item sold by the league, the players were also influenced, including LeBron James, who supposedly started wearing it around the 2010-11 season.

As AI notes, the sleeve could offer support in terms of health and performance, considering the compression it provides, but the 11-time All-Star’s influence as a whole cannot be denied and King James agrees.

Earlier this year, during his podcast alongside JJ Redick, LeBron James gave flowers to AI. “Steph and Allen Iverson are the two biggest influential guys in our game since I’ve been watching and covering…They were so relatable…Kids felt like they could be them.” The 76ers legend responded to the Lakers superstar’s appreciation with a heartwarming message.

“It’s a honor for you to feel this way. Love you Lil Bro! Feels good to get the flowers while you can still smell them.” LeBron even reveled his fashion influence choice was after Allen Iverson. During another episode of Mind the Game, “One of my tattoos is because of Allen Iverson, for sure.“ Even JJ Reddick added, “I have an Arm Sleeve because of Allen Iverson.”

Let’s also look at other NBA players who modeled their fashion game after the 6-foot star.

Not just LeBron James, other players too followed Allen Iverson

The current New York Knicks star, Jalen Brunson, said, “Yeah, I was a big fan of Allen Iverson. He wore sleeves. He was kind of the original guy to wear arm sleeves.” In a 2023 interview, Brunson revealed the depths of things he would do to make an arm sleeve at home. “I used to go to my mom’s sock drawer and cut her socks and wear them as arm sleeves. The worst part about it, I would only do it like around the house. I actually had an arm sleeve for like basketball. She wasn’t too happy about that either.”

Former star Jeff Teague also stated that Bubba Chuck’s hold on the league was so big that everybody started having tattoos, arm sleeves, and braids. Even Jamal Crawford, once stated, “There aren’t a lot of people that have had a bigger influence in my life than AI,” as he spoke about having no less than 35 pictures of cutouts of Allen Iverson from Slam Magazine on his wall.

From braids to tattoos and the simple sleeve, AI was not playing with his fashion game, challenging the regulations set by the league. He reveals he started dressing for comfort once he started earning, unlike the many who wore suits. Iverson believes that is what caught the fans’ and players’ attention. “People had never seen that before,” he conveyed via GQ. Well, his impact continues to be felt by the league to this day.