Allen Iverson had a spectacular season and absolutely merited the NBA's Most Valuable Player award. He won by an overwhelming margin, and I was pleasantly surprised people felt the same way I do.

What Iverson, at only six feet tall, does every game is incredible. He plays with such amazing unbounded energy. He displays physical toughness -- taking the ball to the basket, getting knocked down, bouncing up, shooting his free throws, and then working hard on the defensive end. He is the champ at working every instant he is on the floor.

Although he led the league in scoring, Iverson also led in steals, averaged close to five assists and four rebounds a game, plays 40 minutes a game and makes big game-breaking plays at both ends of the floor. He's a buzzsaw on defense. Opponents have to wonder where he is all the time because he will steal the ball at the blink of an eye. He loves to lay off his man, invite the pass and then come through and steal it.

Iverson has admittedly matured a great deal this season and has become more of a team player. He has cleaned up his act on and off the floor and is thinking in wider dimensions. He is willing to make the extra pass when the defense stops him. He has more trust in his teammates and doesn't feel he has to do everything himself.

His demeanor has changed, as has his relationship with coach Larry Brown. Iverson said he and Brown didn't communicate well before. But after last summer, when he felt he might be traded, Iverson realized he needed to be a team leader -- being on time, not missing practice, working hard on his team game. And he did it.

Winning is Iverson's prime motivation. Sometimes, he wills the Sixers to victories. He won't quit. His 54-point performance in Game 2 against Toronto almost defied description and explanation. He made every shot he had to make. But that's the type of MVP season Iverson has had -- making all the big plays for Philadelphia.