NBA: Sixers Could Create New Allen Iverson From Their Roster This Season

The Philadelphia 76ers can develop the second Allen Iverson from their roster this season.

Sixers’ scoring back-up, Trey Burke, grew up a huge Iverson fan. Coming into the NBA, Burke has shown some skills which prove that he can develop into a new version of Iverson. But this season, the 26-year-old guard himself embraced the idea and expressed his real thoughts about the Sixers icon.

In a phone interview with Dime prior to the start of the season, Burke acknowledged his similarities with Iverson. According to him, he could relate to “The Answer” and in his eyes, the 6-foot-nothing NBA legend is one of the “most influential” athletes of all-time.

“He was my size, could relate to him, he was smaller, he wasn’t 6’10, 6’11,” Burke said about Iverson.

“Not to take anything from those guys, but we couldn’t believe what we were seeing, a six-foot guard winning MVP, winning scoring titles. It was influential, in my opinion he’s one of the most influential athletes there ever was.” Burke contiued.

The opportunity to take the floor in the city where Iverson became a legend eventually appealed to Burke as he was trying to figure out his next move this past offseason. Following a year playing as a staple help for the New York Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks, Burke hit unrestricted free agency. And Instead of signing a contract that offered him more professional security, the former national college player of the year opted for a non-guaranteed deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Sixers coach Brett Brown apparently sees some potential in Burke’s game. Based on Burke’s revelation about what Brown has been urging him to do this season, his role will involve a lot of defense.

“He (coach Brown) challenged me from day one. When I decided to sign here, he challenged me on the defensive end,” Burke revealed.

“He said he was going to be on me all year about just having that edge on defense. He says I show it at times, but he wants to be a consistent thing and that’s something I’m conscious and aware of every time I’m on the court,” Burke added.

Burke has been regarded as a versatile scorer. He has averaged double digits in the past two seasons and remains confident with his scoring abilities. However, to earn consistent minutes in Philadelphia, the defense will have to turn up at some point. And according to him, the best defender will win the rotation spot this season.

“It’s competition at a high level and it’s something that we all knew as players. I have been one of those guys who can come in and be a spark, I feel I can get 12-14 [points] any given night depending on the flow of the game,” Burke pointed out.