|  | | Allen Iverson barely stands 6-feet tall, but his play proved huge enough for him to hoist the MVP trophy. |
WASHINGTON -- Allen Iverson had an Answer for everything the
West threw at the East in the All-Star game.
Slashing through the lane from all angles, keeping defenders
honest with an occasional jumper, and providing pinpoint assists,
Iverson led the charge as the Eastern Conference made up a 21-point
deficit to beat the West 111-110 Sunday.
The Philadelphia 76ers' guard finished with 25 points, 15 in the
final nine minutes, and was selected as Most Valuable Player.
"Everybody was saying we couldn't win because of our size,"
Iverson said. "It's not about size, it's about the size of your
heart."
He accepted the MVP trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern --
who chastised Iverson last fall for lyrics on a rap album offensive
to homosexuals and women.
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All-Star MVPs since 1980
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1980 – George Gervin, San Antonio
1981 – Tiny Archibald, Boston
1982 – Larry Bird, Boston
1983 – Julius Erving, Philadelphia
1984 – Isiah Thomas, Detroit
1985 – Ralph Sampson, Houston
1986 – Isiah Thomas, Detroit
1987 – Tom Chambers, Seattle
1988 – Michael Jordan, Chicago
1989 – Karl Malone, Utah
1990 – Magic Johnson, LA Lakers
1991 – Charles Barkley, Philadelphia
1992 – Magic Johnson, LA Lakers
1993 – Karl Malone and John Stockton, Utah
1994 – Scottie Pippen, Chicago
1995 – Mitch Richmond, Sacramento
1996 – Michael Jordan, Chicago
1997 – Glen Rice, Charlotte
1998 – Michael Jordan, Chicago
1999 – No game.
2000 – Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Shaquille O'Neal, LA Lakers
2001 – Allen Iverson, Philadelphia
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In an obvious reference to that and Iverson's slight build at
6-feet, 165 pounds, a grinning Stern told Iverson that great
basketball "can be wrapped -- if you pardon the expression -- in
very small packages."
Iverson also was fined by the league for yelling a slur at
hecklers during a game in Indiana last month.
While his character has been questioned, no one has any problems
with Iverson's game. He led the NBA in scoring two seasons ago, was
second last season, and is averaging 29.7 points this season, only
0.2 behind league leader Kobe Bryant.
He was the last player out during the fireworks-sparked pregame
introductions at the MCI Center and he was the one lighting it up
at the end to the delight of the crowd.
The East started terribly, down 11-0 by the first TV timeout,
and was down by the same margin at halftime. When Dallas Mavericks
forward Michael Finley scored inside with 9:05 left to play, the
West was up 95-74.
Given that this was an exhibition game, the outcome certainly
did not seem to be in doubt.
Iverson, nicknamed "The Answer" because few situations
confound him when it comes to scoring, didn't think so.
He exhorted his teammates during timeouts, and confidently told
the people working at the scorer's table that he would lead the
East to victory.
Indeed he did, with 15 points the rest of the way, plus three of
his team-high five assists.
By producing the way he did, with the outcome on the line,
Iverson upstaged such other young stars as Toronto's Vince Carter
(16 points, including two rousing first-half dunks, one after a
360-degree turn in the air, the other a windmill slam), and the
Lakers' Bryant (West-leading 19 points, but passed up a chance to
take the winning shot at the buzzer).
"That's why we call him 'The Answer,' " said Hawks center
Dikembe Mutombo, who had 22 rebounds for the East. "We had so many
questions on the bench and he kept responding." Send this story to a friend
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ALSO SEE
Iverson answers final bell for East in All-Star Game stunner
Carter-Bryant matchup a slam for All-Star fans
AUDIO VIDEO
 ESPN's David Aldridge talks with Allen Iverson after being selected as the Most Valuable Player award.
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Allen Iverson makes an amazing one-handed shot from the baseline.
avi: 626 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Allen Iverson and his eastern conference teammates know it's all about the heart.
avi: 2756 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
 Allen Iverson likes the future of the NBA.
wav: 205 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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