Remember Them Days - Allen Iverson vs Rookie Steve Francis
Coming into the NBA in 1999 fresh off an All American season at the University of Maryland, no one was compared more to Allen Iverson than Steve Francis. Both had DMV area roots Iverson (Georgetown) Francis (Maryland), both were high draft picks in their respective draft, both were two of the most talented small guards the NBA has ever seen even to this day and last, both appeared to be to do whatever they wanted on a basketball court while being the cornerstone of their franchises, the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets. The most glaring and important difference was experience. Iverson was now in his fourth season while Francis was still learning the ropes as a rookie. Let's just say Iverson took full advantage of that experience edge. The answer would put on a show, torching the Rockets for 40 points (16/25 FG) and 5 assist, thoroughly outdueling the Francis (10 points/7 assist/ 6 rebounds). As unstoppable as Iverson was, it wasn't enough to secure victory as the Rockets led by a hot Shandon Anderson 32 points (10/17 FG) and 7 rebounds would hold on for a 109 - 106 victory. It was only the beginning of a fun, exciting battle that continued throughout the next decade culminating in multiple All Star and All NBA selections between the both of them. Check out the exciting battle below.
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