Yahoo Sports Vertical Pod with Woj: Billy King
With Allen Iverson’s upcoming enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sept. 9, former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Billy King joins Adrian Wojnarowski on The Vertical Podcast with Woj to go inside the legendary guard’s persona and career.
King delivers incredible insight into the tumultuous and triumphant Sixers run with Iverson. From his battles with coach Larry Brown, the infamous practice press conference, near-trades and scrapes with the league office, King has a unique perspective on the complexities of Iverson.
King also discusses Iverson’s cultural impact, and his fierce loyalty and popularity with the Sixers. King helped build an NBA Finals team around Iverson and had the ultimate front-row seat for one of the most fascinating players in NBA history.
0:45: Iverson’s upcoming induction into the Hall of Fame.
2:17: How King and Brown reached out to Iverson when they joined the franchise.
6:34: The complicated and contentious relationship between Iverson and Brown.
9:45: Building a roster around Iverson’s prolific scoring ability.
15:07: Iverson’s ability to bounce back from injuries and big hits despite his thin frame.
20:35: Nearly trading Iverson to the Pistons in a multi-team trade in 2000.
24:08: How the NBA responded to Iverson’s cultural impact.
30:45: The never-released Iverson rap album and his meeting with David Stern.
33:38: Iverson’s lavish spending and how the team tried to educate him.
38:01: The infamous practice rant and King offering his resignation to the team.
41:00: The end of the Iverson-Brown partnership in Philadelphia.
45:41: Brown coaching Iverson on the disastrous 2004 Olympic team.
48:13: How often was Iverson’s name mentioned in trade talks and near deals?
51:08: Iverson’s ability to stay out late into the night and then perform during games.
53:05: Iverson’s loyalty to those close to him.
Click here to download the podcast on iTunes, or listen here or on Yahoo Sports.
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