Sneek Peek: New Allen Iverson Photo Book

It was a timely decision. Following Allen Iverson’s induction in the hall-of-fame, photographer Gary Land released a coffee table book about the hall-of-famer with the smallest stature and the biggest heart – AI. Even though it is released years after originally planned, Land is at peace with the decision. He was able to do the book his way, on his time, on his pace. That’s the way Land, and Iverson, prefer to conduct their business. It’s not a coincidence; the Sixers legend has had an influence in Land’s life. For two decades, Land shot photos of Iverson in his natural habitat: on the basketball court, in Philadelphia, with his family. This book is the culmination of his work, and can be found on theiversonbook.com. Land only printed 1996 copies, a tribute to the year Iverson took the league by storm as a rookie. After spending so much time with the hall-of-famer, Land has plenty of photos and stories to share.

Sneek Peek: New Allen Iverson Photo Book

Gary Land

“Here, he looks God-like,” says Land. Indeed, Iverson was one of basketball’s deities who popularized and perfected the finger-roll. Modern-day all-stars like Kyrie Irving or Steph Curry have improvised on Iverson’s silky-smooth finishes, but none can quite compare to the original version, mastered by the master. “I miss watching that dude play,” Land said. “No one is the spitting image of AI. There’s a lot of guys who are fun to watch – but not as fun.”

Gary Land

Iverson is Philadelphia. He is Rocky. His game is art. Fitting, then, that Land’s favorite AI photo takes place at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, on the “Rocky” steps where Iverson shot his “A7” Reebok commercial in the early 2000’s. Iverson has this photo hanging in his home. Much like Iverson’s rise to fame, Land also struggled to garner support for his photography. Iverson offered some advice to Land that is quintessentially Iverson philosophy: “don’t worry about those people that hate on you; just love the people that love you.”

Gary Land

Play great, look greater. Taken before dribbling up the Rocky stairs, Iverson got his hair braided by one of his go to girls, Brandy, on a park bench. “No one shot him getting his hair before,” Land says. “That was iconic.” Over time, Land became a fly on the wall and then something more – a friend. He was with Iverson on 9/11, a day when, as Land says he saw a different side of AI. “This wasn’t Allen Iverson, the basketball player. This was Allen Iverson, the hurting man.”

Gary Land

There’s one word Land uses to describe Iverson as a parent: patient. “Sure, he’s a thug from Virginia who grew up in the streets. But considering all that – good dude.” When Land first went to Iverson’s home, he walked in on this father and son bonding moment. Deuce, now a teenager, goes up for a shot on his Little Tikes hoop. “The game was always a battle to Allen,” Gary says. “But he left all the controversy and the bad games at the door.”

Gary Land

Land took his first photo of Iverson at the Reebok City gym in New York City. Just trying to get any shot of the superstar, Land shot several photos of AI through a slit in the curtains on set. He hung this photo, with a few others on the office of his wall. “What’s that?” said a Reebok executive, who could tell Land had talent. The rest is history.

Gary Land

In this photo, you can see what you want to see. There’s one Iverson: open, relaxed, smiling. There’s another Iverson: reserved, quiet, anxious. “He’s slightly misunderstood,” Land says. “You’re a different person on the basketball court – you go to compete. It’s not life.” Indeed, Iverson had many faces but just one authentic persona. One Answer. The one and only Answer.