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Iverson Was Lebron James' Second Favorite Player While Growing Up

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Lebron James is no longer chasing his first championship. With two rings, and four MVPs, now James is chasing history. With his place as one of the game's greatest all-time players cemented, the only question now is where on the list James will fall.

As James and the Heat get ready to try to win their third straight NBA title, James is reflecting on the journey that got him here.

It's only natural that Michael Jordan is the player James watched most while growing up. The second player on the list might surprise you.

"I watch Jordan more than anybody, for sure," James told ESPN's Chris Broussard. "But I'll watch tapes of AI, too. I don't take anything from AI. Well, I do -- his will. They say he was 6 feet, but AI was like 5-10½. Do we even want to say 160? 170 [pounds]? Do we even want to give him that much weight? And he played like a 6-8 2-guard. He was one of the greatest finishers we've ever seen. You could never question his heart. Ever. He gave it his all. AI was like my second-favorite player growing up, after MJ."

While James is aiming for his third straight title, and a possible fifth MVP, Allen Iverson's career is likely done. He is reportedly ready to officially retire, and hasn't played in the NBA in three years.

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