Allen Iverson is all aboard the Kristaps Porzingis hype train

It looks like Kristaps Porzingis has a fan in Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson.

On Thursday, when the Chicago Bulls took on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Iverson was spotted sitting courtside sporting a Rebel Alliance hat and his flashy Hall of Fame ring. He hung out with celebrities like La La Anthony and said hello to Derrick Rose while he was there, but it was what he did after the game that has drawn the most attention.

Even though Porzingis was unable to play because of an Achilles injury, Iverson made sure to meet up with him backstage so he could offer some words of encouragement. Iverson also let him know he loves what he’s seeing from afar, which is quite the compliment coming from one of the greatest basketball players the world has ever seen.

“You’re headed in the right direction,” Iverson said to Porzingis. “You’re doing everything the right way. I love to see it.”

The best part of it all? Porzingis rocked cornrows for two years when he was much younger — no, seriously — because of Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, and he wasn’t shy in letting everyone know “all the girls loved it.” That’s not even the only thing Porzingis has picked up from Iverson over the years, either.

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It’s just too bad he can’t get Iverson to help him in the All-Star department, but being well over 6-feet tall and on a team not named the 76ers is kind of working against him.