Every question has an answer. What is one of the most iconic basketball jerseys all time? One answer to that question is… The Answer! At least according to the Mitchell & Ness top 75 most iconic jerseys of all time list anyway.
The 2nd most iconic NBA jersey of all time is the 2000-2001 Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers away jersey. This jersey placed #2 on “The Greatest Basketball Jerseys of All Time” list compiled by SLAM Magazine, in collaboration with Mitchell & Ness, a brand that makes jersey reproductions. The jersey features a black base, with the “Sixers” logo placed in the middle and the NBA Finals logo on the top left of the chest. The 2000-2001 Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers jersey was identified by Mitchell & Ness as their 2nd best-selling jersey of all time.
Why is Allen Iverson iconic?
Allen Iverson was a bonafide NBA superstar during his time in the league. Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, he won the Rookie of the Year award and went on to spend 10 consecutive years with the organization. He also had a strong stint with the Nuggets following a trade, then had a short year with the Grizzlies until his last NBA appearance was with the 76ers. He announced his retirement in 2013, after a period of playing overseas, to cap an illustrious career.
Iverson amassed one MVP, 4 scoring titles, 7 All NBA teams, 11 All Star Game appearances, Rookie of the Year, and had his #3 retired by the 76ers. To top it all off, Iverson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. His killer crossover and general swagger (in looks and playstyle) transcended his popularity among fans all over the world. To this day, Iverson has a dedicated following amongst NBA fans, as his icon status has remained as strong as ever.
Why is the 2000-2001 Allen Iverson 76ers away jersey iconic?
To say that the 2000-2001 season was Allen Iverson’s best is not a stretch at all. He averaged 31.1 points per game (league leader), 4.6 assists per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, and 2.8 steals per game (league leader). He led the 76ers to the #1 seed in the East, and picked up the MVP and All NBA first team accolades. The 76ers had a strong postseason run, fueled by Iverson’s 32.4 points per game. The 76ers made it to the NBA finals, where despite Iverson’s efforts, they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite their ultimate loss, Iverson had a strong season, which is possibly why his jersey for that year is so iconic.
Why is the 2000-2001 Philadelphia 76ers away jersey design iconic?
The 2000-2001 Philadelphia 76ers jersey has a black base with the “Sixers” logo fixed on the middle. The armpit has red trim, while the collar has red, black, and gold trim with a star on the bottom center of the collar. There is a NBA Finals logo patch on the top left of the chest as a nod to the 76ers’ appearance in the 2001 NBA Finals. This was the 76ers’s away jersey.
The 2000-2001 76ers jersey is a continuation of the redesign of the 76ers’ logo and color scheme that occurred in the 1997 season. The 76ers reverted back to their original color scheme beginning with the 2009-2010 season. This era of 76ers jerseys, from 1997 to 2009, largely coincide with Iverson’s tenure and a string of successful playoff appearances. The 2000-2001 season with the Finals appearance was arguably the peak of this era, hence why the jersey for that season is so iconic.
What other major players played in the 2000-2001 Philadelphia 76ers jersey?
Dikembe Mutombo was a major player who donned the 2000-2001 Philadelphia 76ers jersey. Mutombo was best known for his stints with the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets prior to joining the 76ers.
Are there other iconic Allen Iverson jersey designs?
Allen Iverson has several iconic jersey designs, all with the Philadelphia 76ers. Firstly, the home version of the 2000-2001 76ers jersey has a white base and retains all other elements from the black version. This jersey is also iconic, and placed at #37 on the SLAM Magazine and Mitchell and Ness list for greatest basketball jerseys. In the prior season (1999-2000), the Sixers used a variation of the jersey but with a blue base instead; this jersey placed #71 on the list.
During Iverson’s rookie season in 1996-1997, the Sixers had not yet redesigned their logo and color design. Their original color scheme consisted of red, blue, and white. In 1996-1997, their away jersey had a red base with white borders, and blue under the armpits. The logo was a simple white “Sixers” script. Iverson’s rookie away jersey is quite iconic as well, placing #27 on the list.
The next spot on the list (#28) is also an Iverson 76ers jersey; however, this jersey was a throwback, a nod to the Wilt Chamberlain-era of 76ers basketball. This jersey had a blue base and a white and red trim on the collar and armpits. The logo was a simple “Phila” in red, and was also worn in Iverson’s rookie season. Despite Iverson wearing this jersey for one year only, his rookie season specifically, it has long lived with fans and has a solid icon statistic.
Are there other iconic Philadelphia 76ers jerseys?
As per the “Top 75 Greatest Jerseys of All Time” list compiled by SLAM Magazine and Mitchell & Ness, no other Philadelphia 76ers jersey makes a ranking.
Allen Iverson is as iconic as it gets when it comes to NBA stars. It is a mixture of accomplishments, playstyle, and charisma that leads to icon status, and “The Answer” was not lacking in any facets, on and off the court. He remains beloved among basketball fans as well as hip-hop heads, as Iverson has always been linked with hip-hop culture. This icon status is reflected in the popularity of his jerseys; with 4 of his jerseys being in the top 75 list. The #2nd greatest jersey of all time being the jersey Iverson wore at his highest point: the 2000-2001 Philadelphia 76ers away jersey.