Chris Webber Names Best NBA Athlete He’s Ever Seen

Five-time NBA All-Star and Michigan legend Chris Webber will enter the Basketball Hall of Fame later this weekend, joining a star-studded induction class. Now that he’s about to receiver the highest possible honor in his sport, the big man is starting to open up about his illustrious career.

In an interview with Shams Charania, Webber revealed the best athlete that he saw when playing in the NBA. It came as little surprise that the big man chose his former teammate Allen Iverson.

The two 1990’s No. 1 overall picks played together on the Philadelphia 76ers for just over a season in 2005 and 2006, but formed one of the most prolific scoring duos of their era. Although Webber and Iverson never quite reached the heights that some thought they would, there’s clearly still some fond memories between the two players.

“A.I. is the best athlete that I’ve ever seen in my life. Period. He’s the best player I’ve ever played with. Period…” Webber said in an interview with The Athletic. “It was an honor to play with him.”

Webber was traded to the 76ers in the middle of the 2004-05 season and quickly gave Philadelphia a reliable No. 2 scoring option behind Iverson. He averaged 15.6 points per game in 21 contests that year and helped lead the team into the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Webber and Iverson both stepped things up individually the following year, with the latter averaging a career high 33.0 points per game. However, the 76ers stumbled along to a 38-44 record and missed out on the postseason.

The following year, the team crumbled. Iverson was dealt to the Denver Nuggets and Webber played in just 18 of 35 games before he was waived in January. He would sign with the Detroit Pistons a few days later.

It’s rare to ever see two No. 1 overall picks on the same roster, so the Iverson-Webber era in Philadelphia was one of the most exciting moments for the franchise. Unfortunately for the 76ers, the duo never quite met expectations and will always be remembered for what could’ve been.

Either way, Webber’s assessment of Iverson is encouraging to hear and further evidence that the point guard was one of the most electric players the league has ever seen. Maybe A.I. will send his former teammate a message when he enters the Hall of Fame this weekend.

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