Shaquille O’Neal Favored This Allen Iverson Signature Pose Before 76ers’ Controversial Unveiling

The Philadelphia 76ers finally celebrated one of its most iconic players with a statue. But the unveiling of Allen Iverson’s bronze likeness fell a little flat within the NBA community. Most were hoping for a spectacle like that in 2017 when the Lakers unveiled the Shaquille O’Neal statute outside Crypto.com Arena. Even Shaq is less than impressed for his VP. The Reebok president of basketball has other recommendations for the Sixers if they ever plan a do-over.

They discussed the Reebok Basketball VP’s new statue but Shaq had a different idea for the pose involving AI’s signature. “If you put a nice crossover thing fans could take pictures in front of…” that would’ve been spectacular for a lot of us. Instead, the statue is of Iverson, with his wingspan, holding a ball, and his signature cornrows and headband.

The statue was too underwhelming for Iverson’s eye-catching persona. Adam Lefkoe and the guests, Gillie and Wallo, were even distracted by a different subject till Shaq’s fake snoring brought them back on track. (Leave it to O’Neal to ensure his best sidekick gets his due credit.)

O’Neal referred to his own fan-oriented approach while describing the process of designing his statue in Los Angeles. “I don’t want a statue in front, I want my goddamn Dunkman hanging off the side of the building and for years we fought on that.” Shaq fought with the organization till his vision was manifested into that 9-foot, 1200 lbs bronze monstrosity hanging from the rim.

“If you go to LA Staples Center [now Crypto.com Arena] you see my Dunkman emblem knees up nuts out on the side of the building, you got people taking pictures cuz that’s how it would be,” O’Neal said on the Big Podcast.

O’Neal wished 76ers fans got to experience something like that. Taking pictures pretending they’re getting crossed up by The Answer, or getting stepped over like Ty Lue did. His suggestions are all about the fans who would’ve preferred something like that to the bronze AI they got.

Fans underwhelmed by bronze Answer

The 76ers installed Iverson’s statues among the other franchise greats like Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, and Charles Barkley. Iverson was overwhelmed with the honor and even said, “it don’t even feel real.” He seemed pretty chuffed posing with his smaller likeness outside the Camden, New Jersey practice facility, two decades after his unforgettable “practice” speech.

Fans had a hard time sharing the excitement once they saw the statue. It was smaller than expectations, about half the 6-foot legend’s stature. Fans likened it to a trophy more than a statue. Hip-hop artist-turned-sports media personality, Ma$e demanded a redo. Draymond Green wouldn’t even call it a statue unless AI is honored with a life-size version outside the main arena.

It appears that the NBA community was not heard when the 76ers went with this statue. What would Shaquille O’Neal’s version of Iverson’s statue look like?