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A.I. drops 30 in his NBA debut (1996)



A.I. drops 30 in his NBA debut (1996)

by WhenMachinesCry

48 Comments

  1. waffle-spouse

    It’s because he’s doing this against people in the 90s. Once he hit the 2000s, the competition got tougher and that’s why he won no rings.

  2. itssensei

    The NBA was not ready for his speed and agility

  3. exnihilo77

    I remember seeing him and the immediate highlights, that he was like a small bird let out of the cage.

  4. washed_king_jos

    Thats a better looking court than phillys last 5 court rebrands

  5. variantsonly7

    I’m praying our Rob Dilingham hits like this

  6. RiverRhythmX

    My man is just slicing and dicing them. Funny thought! I remember his quote about practice seeing this video 😀

  7. Back when the Sixers had a decent play by play announcer.

  8. I remember Gordan Giriček was close to end that record but nobody told him about it before hand.

  9. gottagetitgood

    I thought him and Stackhouse were gonna be cornerstones for at least a decade.

  10. ben10toesdown

    It’s crazy how players of previous generations become so underrated because the scrubs of today’s nba can hit 3 threes in a game. 

  11. amateurdormjanitor

    The braids are absolutely iconic, but he looked so tough with short hair too. Always funny seeing clips of young AI before the braids. 

  12. ClassicDiscount319

    Back when 30 points meant something 

  13. super-dad-bod

    Iverson would not be good in this era because he was so inefficient and can’t shoot /s

  14. millerson17

    I wonder how many players first points were off a goal tend it can’t be very many

  15. it’d be awesome if the Raps got him and retired his jersey instead of that other bum

  16. combat101

    the first play looked like he teleported to the basket

  17. iFlashings

    If my first bucket in the NBA came from a goal tending off a failed dunk I’d be pissed. 😂 

  18. Great_Researcher5795

    I’ve had such a love-hate relationship with Iverson. Two things that cannot be taken away from him though:
    – one of the most electrifying rookies in league history
    – one of the toughest players in league history

  19. Carolake1

    Can’t even recognize him without his braids.

  20. That long-distance bounce pass! The one he skipped to Rip Hamilton about 15 years later is absolutely incredible.

  21. WaGwonMon

    Beast. Meanwhile box score/true shooting obsessed teenagers who never watched AI play will try and convince you he wasn’t good.

  22. Beef_Supreme3489

    My favorite player growing up. He was a beast.

  23. Moneyshot_ITF

    I remember most of middle America attacking him his entire career because he had tattoos and baggy pants

  24. Usually people say game changer but this guy was the league changer.

  25. Cynicalchickenboy

    Seeing AI without braids is weirding me out

  26. SleeveBurg

    Ugh I miss Marc Zumoff more than iverson. And boy did I love AI.

    Meeting Zumoff in person was quite literally one of the best moments in my life. He probably thought I was a psycho because I started tearing up when I told him how he was such a big part of my childhood.

  27. OppositeSecurity4660

    Loved being able to see him live when I lived in Philly, hell of a player

  28. theracetowin

    Man I loved AI growing up. I had no idea he dropped 30 in his debut. That’s bonkers.

  29. Texacanadian

    The amazing thing is he never even practiced. He only talked about it.

  30. Perfect-Drummer-6496

    They called him “The Answer” for a reason.

    AI was a problem. I remember him crossing MJ and thought daaaammmnn!

  31. bmanley620

    I wonder how many players got their first 2 points as the result of a goaltend. I’m guessing only a few

  32. keepfighting90

    One of the most electric and purely fun players ever. Youngins today will never understand his impact and appeal, but AI was probably responsible for getting a whole generation of kids into ball. He just had the sauce – so much style and heart on the court and a cultural icon off it. AI with the braids and in those black Philly jerseys was one of the most iconic symbols of early 00s basketball.

  33. Pipes_of_Pan

    If I could grant one player an everlasting prime it would be AI. loved watching him

  34. I-Sell-Wolf-Tickets

    No first time jitters, nothing. He was cold from day one. P4P GOAT.

  35. Sir_Meeps_Alot

    This is why I love when people say Jordan wouldn’t be as great today because players are “so much more athletic and talented” or whatever. Do people think Kobe and AI couldn’t play and thrive in today’s game? Jordan was still getting MVPs around the time AI and Kobe came into the league. It’s insane some people believe athleticism has improved so drastically in the span of 10-15 years. If people think Jordan wouldn’t be as great today, they need to say the same about players like Kobe, AI, Carter, Tmac etc

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