In Terms of Style, Allen Iverson was the best in the league. From Baggy Jeans to Gold Chains, AI (Allen Iverson) knew how to rep it. A combination of attitude and trendsetting made AI the unofficial spokesperson for 90’s street fashion in the NBA.
However, not all in the league agreed with the former League MVP’s fashion choices. League commissioner at the time David Stern stepped in, issuing league-wide restrictions on uniform and attire.
Iverson dressed the way he wanted to, he took offence at the new restrictions and felt personally attacked. Feeling like they were targeting him, Iverson saw right through the league’s motivations. To this day he believes the league was targeting him and other black players.
"IT BECAME A COMPETITION AMONGST GUYS, AND YOU REALLY STARTED TO UNDERSTAND THE CLOTHES YOU PUT ON YOUR BODY, THE MATERIALS YOU STARTED TO WEAR, SO THEN YOU BECOME MORE OF A FAN OF IT”
- Dwayne Wade on the dress code enforced in 2005
Legacy
In the years since, the league has been less restrictive with players' clothing and fashion choices, but we live in a vastly different era of fashion now-a-days. Many players credit Iverson with helping them spur their interest in the sport of Basketball and felt inspired by the way the 11 x ALL STAR stayed true to himself and the culture whilst risking his career and livelihood against the league in a modern-day David vs. Goliath story.
To put it simply, the players of today owe a lot to Iverson for paving the way for true fashionable expression.
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