LeBron James Calls Allen Iverson ‘Pound for Pound’ the Greatest Player Ever

With the Miami Heat looking on tomorrow night in Philly, Allen Iverson will officially announce his retirement from the NBA. According to LeBron James, who idolized The Answer as a youngster, Iverson is “pound-for-pound” the greatest player to ever step on the floor. Per ESPN: “Pound-for-pound, probably the greatest player who ever played,’ James said of Iverson, who will retire in a Sixers pregame ceremony ahead of Wednesday’s home opener against the defending champion Heat. […] James was asked Monday for his thoughts on Iverson ahead of Wednesday’s ceremony. ‘[Iverson] reminds me of Floyd Mayweather,’ James said, comparing Iverson to the undefeated boxer who has 18 titles to his name and stands just 5-foot-8. ‘You could never question [Iverson’s] heart, his will to want to win. A true warrior.’ Although Iverson was one of the top scorers of his era, his career was cut short at age 34 when injuries had taken a toll on his effectiveness. Iverson’s playing career ended unceremoniously in 2010 after a 25-game stint with the 76ers, the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 1996. Iverson hasn’t found work in the NBA since. ‘I hate the fact that his career ended the way it did,’ James said Monday. ‘But he had an unbelievable career.’ […] Miami’s Dwyane Wade also considers it a privilege that he’ll be at Iverson’s retirement ceremony on Wednesday. ‘One of my favorite players obviously of all time. Michael Jordan, Kobe [Bryant], T-Mac [Tracy McGrady] and A.I.,’ Wade said. ‘Those were the ones that I looked up to coming up. I take pride in wearing No. 3 because A.I. wore No. 3.’ As it turns out, Wade’s first preseason game and regular-season game as an NBA player came against Iverson. What did he remember about those games? ‘I was scared as God knows what,’ Wade said. ‘He’s just a great competitor. He’s one of the best to do it. It’s going to be a great moment, I’m sure, for everyone that was a fan of Iverson and the way he changed the game — all the little boys in their driveway doing the A.I. crossover,’ Wade said.”