The best little man of all time has reportedly walked away from the game. Yahoo Sports has reported that 76er great Allen Iverson has decided to retire.

"I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association," Iverson said in a statement. "I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn't help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However, that is not the case."

Just a little over a week ago Iverson's contract was terminated by the Memphis Grizzlies after The Answer voiced his displeasure about not being a starter. Many thought that Iverson would find a home on another NBA team but that never came to fruition.

I have often been critical of Iverson and his unwillingness to be a good teammate. Many accuse me of being an Iverson hater, but that's not the case. I happen to be a huge fan of Allen Iverson--I just wished at times that he would do the "right thing."

I remember 10 years ago seeing Charles Barkley carried off the court in Philadelphia in a Rockets uniform and thinking, "This is no way for such a great player to go out." While Iverson is not being carried off with an injury, his last public moments are of him complaining about starting in Memphis and Detroit.

I'd like to take this time to focus on the greatness of Allen Iverson.

Everyone remembers Iverson crossing over Michael Jordan in his rookie year. In the eyes of many that moment represented a changing of the guard.

In 2001 Iverson single-handedly led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals. The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers were undefeated in their Playoff run until they ran into Allen Iverson and the 76ers. While only winning one game, everyone remembers Iverson's 48 point performance in game one of that series.

In 2004 Larry Brown led the U.S. Olympic team to a bronze medal. Brown being allergic to youth refused to give quality minutes to the likes of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony--Iverson carried the team. While many of the U.S. players were embarrassed to be receiving a bronze medal Iverson received his medal with pride--pride in himself, his team, and his country.

It appears as though Iverson will never be an NBA Champion but he is surely a first ballot Hall-of-Famer.

Check the resume:

1995 Big East Rookie of the Year

1995 & 1996 Big East Defensive Player of the Year

1996 NBA first overall draft pick

1997 NBA Rookie of the Year

2001 NBA MVP

2001 & 2005 NBA All-Star Game MVP

10 time NBA All-Star

4 time NBA scoring champion

2004 Olympic bronze medalist

and the list goes on....

Iverson is 17th all-time on the NBA scoring list with 24,020 points, and 5th all-time in scoring average with 27.0 points a game. Iverson is 2nd behind Michael Jordan in Playoff scoring average with 29.7 points a game.

A.I. has career averages of 27.0 points a game, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.2 steals. Not bad for a guy barely 6 feet tall and 165 pounds.

Bryan Crawford of Slam Magazine recently wrote, "For some reason, I always felt a connection to him [Allen Iverson]. At one point, I even wanted to “be” Allen Iverson."

Bryan is not alone.

Iverson has touched the lives of many--mostly in inner city neighborhoods. Without asking to be, Iverson was a role model to people in hopeless situations. He was one of us and he made it.

Regardless of your opinion of Allen Iverson one thing is for sure, he is an American success story and a true warrior on and off the basketball court.

"Stepping away from the game will allow me to spend quality time with my wife and kids," said Iverson. "This is a reward that far exceeds anything that I've ever achieved on the basketball court. I have prayed for this day and I see it as my greatest gift."

Here's to the Answer... Thanks for your blood, sweat, and tears on the basketball court. You were appreciated.