Over a decade since Allen Iverson lashed out at journalists during a press conference, Gary Payton candidly addressed the possibility of him potentially being The genuine cause of A.I.'s well-known "practice rant" According to the Hall of Fame point guard, everything began when the star player from the Philadelphia 76ers sought his advice on maintaining health throughout many seasons.
Payton He disclosed that he directly informed Iverson that he had never experienced fatigue or soreness due to his Seattle Supersonics coach, George Karl, allowing him to miss practices. Much to GP’s astonishment, Iverson gained significant attention from the press when he criticized them about practicing not long after their meeting where they were drinking.
Eventually, Sixers Head Coach Larry Brown discovered that "The Glove" somewhat influenced A.I.’s viewpoint regarding practices, which naturally didn’t sit well with him. Following a game between the Sixers and the Sonics, Brown addressed Payton directly, and in 2013, GP recounted their discussion.
When [Coach] Larry Brown approached me during a game against his team, the Sixers, he mentioned that I had brought something new into play. After one of our matchups, he commented, "See what you’ve started." But I responded, "Coach, I didn’t start this." I explained to him that I only followed instructions from my own coach, and since you’re a different kind of coach, please don’t attribute it to me," Payton recalled on Fox Sports.
I should've simply stated, 'Coach, I’m intoxicated. Period. Coach, I was drunk,' he jokingly added.
From intoxicated counsel to dispute
In all fairness, Payton never once imagined that what he told Iverson would result in controversy. As one of the best NBA players of all time, "The Glove" understood how important practice is, and he didn't mean to influence a fellow NBA star's view on it.
Regrettably, this event greatly worsened Iverson's already damaged image as an athletic figure. The notorious interview had a lasting impact on the career of the 2001 NBA Most Valuable Player, leading to a highly divided public opinion about him.
To this day, numerous fans and critics continue to recall the infamous practice rant every time Iverson’s name comes up. This moment holds such significance for AI that it can be emotionally taxing, continually shaping his image within the sporting world.
I had a ton of stuff going on at that moment. No matter which reporter it was, they wouldn’t stop questioning me regarding the training scenario, so I snapped. What’s wild is everyone finds this hilarious except for me. Allen once opened up in a podcast interview.
Related: Greg Oden speaks out about his eye-opening experience in China, saying, “By the time the season ended, I was smoking a whole pack a day.”
Iverson wasn't defeated by his practice rant.
Even though severe critiques followed the outburst, Iverson managed to recover and continue thriving in his NBA journey. Instead of letting the negative feedback shape his legacy, he channeled it into fuel for success, aiming to silence those who doubted him. Driven by steadfast resolve, “The Answer” dedicated himself fully to improving his game, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment during matches.
Although AI might not have shown up consistently during practices, those who really knew him acknowledged his zeal and dedication once the games began. Every time he took the court, Iverson poured all of himself into each play, bringing such intense energy that it mesmerized spectators and quieted critics alike.
Related: "Why should I disrespect Seattle fans?" - Gary Payton doesn’t wish for Oklahoma City to honor his jersey number with retirement.
