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Steve Nash's Biggest Fan: Allen Iverson

By Ray Boyd

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There is something to be said for one of the toughest players of all time saying that they are a big fan of your game. That's what happened on Friday when Allen Iverson tipped his cap (figuratively of course) to Steve Nash.

Iverson and Nash have quite a bit in common. Both were selected in the famed 1996 NBA Draft which many look at as one of the best drafts in league history. They both took home league MVP awards as well.

Both players also displayed a great level of grit and toughness on the court. We all remember Iverson playing through injury after injury and how can you forget Nash's 2007 playoff game against the Spurs in which he dropped 31 points and walked away with a bloody and broken nose.

One of the worst similarities between these two players is that neither was able to win an NBA title.

Iverson made just one trip to the NBA Finals as he led the Sixers against the league's Goliath, the Lakers, in 2001. Nash never had the opportunity to compete for an NBA title.

News came out on Thursday that the Lakers point guard would be sidelined for the entire season after suffering a back injury. He came to the Lakers with hopes of competing for the ring that eluded him his entire career, but that window appears to be fully closed.

To further tie Iverson to Nash, they are both sure things for the Hall of Fame.

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