[jwplayer Dq5wOsNl]
Over the years in the NBA, there have been several players that have served as inspirational figures to the younger generation that is beginning to rise up through the ranks.
From Michael Jordan to LeBron James, and dozens of others, there has been plenty of inspirational figures to play the game. New Orleans Pelicans rookie Nickeil Alexander-Walker offered up a couple of his own: Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson.
Alexander-Walker joined his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, during an Instagram Live session on Tuesday to answer some fan questions and spoke about why Bryant and Iverson inspired him.
“I would definitely say Kobe Bryant inspired me. Allen Iverson inspired me,” Alexander-Walker said. “In our house, you had to watch Allen Iverson. He kinda changed the game but just seeing how they were on that level and what they brought to the game made me feel like I want to play basketball and pursue a career in it.”
A lot of players have pointed to Bryant and Iverson as inspirational figures given their playing styles. Both players were cutthroat on the court and were touted as helping change the game to some degree each time they stepped onto the court.
As Alexander-Walker continues to adjust to playing in the NBA, taking bits and pieces of their games to adapt to his should give him a solid foundation to build upon.
[lawrence-related id=14706,15746,12883]
[vertical-gallery id=11659]