A decade later and stronger than ever....

Allen Iverson is now in his tenth NBA season.

Read that back....10 years.

A decade.

The guy is now a veteran.

He's come a long way from the brash rookie who caused a furore when he entered the NBA as the number one pick in the 1996 draft.

The facts speak for themselves - four scoring titles, 3 time All-NBA team, All-Star MVP, Rookie of the Year, co-captain of the USA Olympic team...the list goes on.

However, in many ways, Allen Iverson hasn't changed at all:

He's still a warrior on the court - playing far bigger and tougher than his 6' 0" 165lb frame should allow.

He's still giving 110% - doing whatever it takes to help his team win...even if that means getting knocked on his ass several times a game.

And, perhaps most importantly, he's still being himself. Despite all the years of pressure to conform, A.I. is still speaking his mind and still setting trends with his own unique style.

It's fitting then that he is the face of RBK's "I Am What I Am" campaign...a slogan that literally could be Iverson's motto.

From the moment he came into the league, Iverson has been under pressure to tone down his image: Lose the cornrows! Stop with all the ink! Dress smarter! Get away from the "thug" image!

But his attitude has always been "I Am What I Am"...and the same people who once hated on him now LOVE him for exactly that reason. He's converted the non-believers.

Another thing that has remained a constant throughout Iverson's career is his relationship with Reebok. With the exception of Jordan and Nike, no other basketball player / sneaker brand partnership even comes close - both in terms of longevity and impact.

The fact that Reebok have allowed Allen Iverson to be Allen Iverson really has worked to their credit - not only in terms of helping their image, but also ensuring complete loyalty from one of the most recognisable sporting stars on earth.

Allen Iverson is a hero for millions of people - not just because he is an incredible basketball player, but because he defies all the odds (Who said he's too small? Who said he doesn't pass enough?) and because he is true to himself and makes no apologies for it.

"I Am What I Am" - when it comes to A.I., you couldn't put it any better than that.