Fansided

5 ways Allen Iverson was a trendsetter

By John Buhler

UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 17: Philadelphia 76ers' Allan Iverson on court during game against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena. Iverson scored 28 points in the game, which the Nets lost, 94-82. (Photo by Howard Earl Simmons/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 17: Philadelphia 76ers' Allan Iverson on court during game against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena. Iverson scored 28 points in the game, which the Nets lost, 94-82. (Photo by Howard Earl Simmons/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) /
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UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 17: Philadelphia 76ers' Allan Iverson on court during game against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena. Iverson scored 28 points in the game, which the Nets lost, 94-82. (Photo by Howard Earl Simmons/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 17: Philadelphia 76ers’ Allan Iverson on court during game against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena. Iverson scored 28 points in the game, which the Nets lost, 94-82. (Photo by Howard Earl Simmons/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) /

Allen Iverson enters the Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 2016 class of inductees. He was one of the most influential NBA players of the 2000s. Here are five ways he was ahead of his time.

Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson will enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday night, along with Shaquille O’Neal and Yao Ming as part of the 2016 class of inductees. Iverson was an 11-time NBA All-Star, four-time scoring champion, three-time All-NBA first teamer, and the 2001 NBA MVP.

Iverson had his No. 3 jersey retired by the 76ers, finishing his 14-year NBA career with 24,368 career points, 5,624 career assists, and 3,394 rebounds at 6-0, 165 pounds. It wasn’t just his terrific play on the hardwood in the 2000s that set Iverson apart, it was ability to set trends in the NBA and in basketball culture. Here are the five biggest impacts Iverson left on the NBA as a star for the 76ers and Denver Nuggets.

DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Allen Iverson
DENVER – DECEMBER 26: Allen Iverson /

5. The shooting sleeve

During Iverson’s 2000-01 MVP season with Philadelphia, he began wearing a compression sleeve on his right arm. He was recovering from bursitis in his right elbow and this shooting sleeve helped him lead the league in scoring, en route to getting the 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals.

Iverson was having the best year of his NBA career in 2000-01 and basketball fans became accustomed to him wearing the shooting sleeve. Players like Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant started wearing compression sleeves on their shooting arms when dealing with similar injuries in the years to follow.

Not only did the shooting sleeve aid in Iverson’s recovery, it gradually became a fashion statement still used in the NBA today. Players will often wear shooting sleeves either to look cool or to provide mental support. For many, the shooting sleeve acts as a placebo much like braces do on other parts of the body.

Before Iverson started wearing the shooting sleeve, nobody would ever consider putting more than a wristband on their shooting arm. Shooting sleeves eventually progressed into players wearing full-leg compression pants. Players are more comfortable with wearing exposed compression clothing, as it is the new norm in the NBA thanks to Iverson rocking a shooting sleeve in 2000-01.

Next: 4. Off-ball point guard

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