Allen Iverson: Rebel Without A Cause
by Evans on Jun 3, 2009 6:06 PM PDT
38 comments
"I am what I am. Your going to love me or hate me. I don't want nothing in between. This is how I look. This is how I dress. This is how I act. These are my family. These are my friends. This is my life. I am what I am" said Allen Iverson (video.google.com/videoplay?). Allen Iverson is an individualist. He has the confidence to be himself. He is comfortable in his own skin. He refuses to be fake. He does not pretend that he is squeaky clean. He has been a lightning rod for controversy. Therefore, he has been labeled as an NBA bad boy. He also has had problems with authority figures throughout his career. He had problems with the NBA commissioner David Stern and a few of his past coaches. Thus, Allen Iverson is a rebel without a cause.
Allen Iverson is the anti-Michael Jordan. He is seen as an anti-hero. He does not have the squeaky clean or non-threatening image that Michael Jordan had in his career. He is one of the first NBA superstars to wear cornrows. His hair style was seen as too ethnic by the media and the corporate world. He likes to wear skull caps and doo rags too. The NBA did not like that he wore a skull cap to the rookie of the year award presentation. The NBA refused to make the pictures from the award ceremony public. He has over nine tattoos. There is a deep meaning behind every one of his tattoos. His tattoos have led to issues in his career. For instance, the official NBA magazine Hoops magazine put him on their cover of their magazine. But, they airbrushed his tattoos. He thought this was ridiculous. Allen Iverson said: "if they do not like my tattoos, why don't they just pick another player" (www.alleniversonlive.com/tattoos/). The tattoos are not about being a bad boy. It's another way for him to express himself.
Professional athletes are becoming more politically correct. Athletes are being groomed by their publicists and agents on what to say. Nonetheless, Allen Iverson keeps it real. He is politically incorrect. He speaks his mind. He addresses his critics directly. David Stern in 2005 issued a dress code in the NBA banning clothing associated with hip-hop culture." Iverson criticized Stern's dress code, saying that "It would not change a person's character regardless of what type of clothing they wore and that associating hip hop styles of dress with violent crime, drugs, or a bad image is racist"(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_iverson). He is sick of defending himself. He got to the point of realizing that you're going to accept him or you're not going to accept him. He recently explained why he was not having a great season with the Detriot Pistions. He recently said that "I'd rather retire before I do this again. I can't be effective playing this way. It's harder than I thought it would be. I take my hat off to the guys who can come off the bench and be effective. It's tough for me. I'm struggling with it. I'm not used to it. It's tough for me both mentally and physically. I just have to find a way to get it done" (sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4035415).
Allen Iverson playing style is relentless. He is a great penetrator and he attacks the perimeter. He is only six feet tall and about 165 pounds dripping wet. He plays fearlessly. He is not afraid to take it to the hoop against men twice his size. He is extremely bold on the court. He in a game during his rookie year against the Chicago Bulls challenged Michael Jordan to an one on one match-up. Iverson faked to his left, then crossed over to his right and blew past Jordan before sinking a jumper. This led to a standing ovation from the crowd. Besides, he is a very tough player. USA Today on February 18th, 2004 named him the No.2 toughest athlete in professional sports (/www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/sixers). Likewise, he is considered pound for pound toughest player in the NBA. He played in games with various injuries. He had over 30 different types of injuries throughout his career. His injuries include to name a but a few tailbone contusion, right shoulder dislocation, right kneed synovitis, and fractured left hand. He is also considered best scoring little men in the history of the NBA.
Iverson has always stirred up controversy because he refuses to be something he is not. He
does not want to be a puppet for the corporate world or the media. He believes in speaking the truth and he likes to stand up for his beliefs. He is a rebel and he is an NBA legend. Today's
generation of NBA fans will be telling stories about him to their kids. Iverson is a unique person. He will be missed when his career is over. No one knows what team he will be playing for next season. Nonetheless, he will be satisfied with his career when it's over because he did it his way.
Works Cited
9 May 2009 <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1536099151531505830>
9 May 2009 <http://www.alleniversonlive.com/tattoos/>
9 May 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_iverson>
9 May 2009 <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4035415>
9 May 2009 <http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/sixers/2004-02-18-iverson-toughest_x.htm>
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Um….interesting…over stated possibly…also Iverson is a grossly over rated basketball player as well…
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 3, 2009 6:14 PM PDT reply actions
I agree. He is a good player but I wouldn’t place him as high as a lot of people do. Just today on “Mike and Mike in the Morning”, they were talking about the best SG all-time. They brought up an interesting ranking as done by 20 “NBA experts” (I forget exactly who they mentioned) a year ago.
Here’s the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-GreatestSGs
Rank 5th of all time? I really don’t know about that.
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
Scoring a lot of points means good to those people who voted…
I’m more of the david berri school
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 3, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah I hear ya. I won’t lie, I tend to sometimes get excited over high point totals. But I’ve gotten better over time with it and I consider effiency a lot more than I did before. It’s the reason I pretty much reevaluated my opinion on Iverson, as well.
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
PPS – one of the reasons i hate willie green so much – dude seems ALLERGIC to FTs, Iverson at least draws (drew? Is his career over) – fouls.
Dudes a anatomic freak of nature though – very unordinary leg /upper body proportions make him able to excel in the NBA – tough as nails and that crap that sent him to prison – i admire the guy – but he’s got issues like everyone – he doesnt ‘speak his mind’ more than most guys (rasheed wallace, fat shaq, whatever) and calling him a legend is an insult to NBA legends and demonstrates a slight lack of what a legend is.
You can’t really be a legend while you’re still playing
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 3, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions
You can’t really be a legend while you’re still playing
True. I hate it when people use the phrase “adding to their legacy” or something along the lines of that. They throw it around as if good to better players (not the best) are considered in the same breath as the legitimate best (of all time). For example, Lebron James is at or around the pinnacle of the best players in the NBA, right now. Yet, when Lebron has an amazing game in the playoffs, or an amazing quarter, everyone gets crazy over it as if he has accomplished something someone hasn’t done. If he had done it in the Finals or if it were a swing game, sure. That is a highlight of his career, but it is not “adding to the legacy” of Lebron James. That’s assuming he is already a legend.
Sidenote
Do you think Iverson’s play back in his prime was similar to Lebron’s play now? (The difference being the anatomy and physical tools of both players)
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
Do you think Iverson’s play back in his prime was similar to Lebron’s play now? (The difference being the anatomy and physical tools of both players)
Not even close…Lebron is more of a ‘team’ guy – he’ll take the ball at the end of the game – but if another guy is open – he won’t drive into 3 guys and hope the basket goes in and./or get the foul – some people call it a lack of a ‘killer instinct’ (skip you unmitigated douche) – i call it smart ball…if you got 3 guys in your way – 2 guys have wid eopen looks.
Lebron is MUCH MORE of a team guy, a facilitator, than Iverson ever was…the best 6’ shooting guard in the history of the NBA probably
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 3, 2009 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh no question about that. Lebron is the reason the Cavs are what they are and you touched on everything. I guess I was referring to that attack or play to the hoop (poor wording of my question, my bad) and putting his body on the line. Iverson was prone to a lot of injuries because of his style of play. I really don’t think this is the reason or a factor as to why he did play the way he did but…
Do you think the fact that Iverson’s supporting cast was not always the cream of the crop played into Iverson’s independent/“I’ll just do everything” game?
Even when the Sixers made the finals, I personally didn’t feel goose bumps when I looked at their lineup, even though they were playing well together. It’s kind of unfair since they went up against Shaq eventually, who was the most dominant center in the league at the time. But I feel like that reason they didn’t make it back was because their optimal lineup was mediocre to okay at best.
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
I believe he averaged over 6 assists and lead the league in steals for a few years.
In terms of statistics, at his height there wasn`t much more he could do, other than shoot the three better.
The biggest thing that impressed me with Iverson was his “wow” factor. He had amazing skill, he just couldn`t play with other people..at least not well enough to win a championship.
And I would like to post the link to this video just for its awesomeness:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukGeF0PbyNU
compliments of youtube.com
Yes Iverson got assists, but he was never a ‘facilitator’, passing was like a last option.
Look at the team that made the 2001 finals, starting 5 was iverson and 4 guys who played defense
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 4, 2009 6:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Hmmm.
Big Iverson fan, obviously. I’m interested to know what prompted this?
Solid write-up nonetheless.
hi
I just wanted to write about him because he’s just really interesting. I like how the controvesery he attracted always led to other issues like race, hip hop generation and so called proper way to play basketball.
I like how people blow everything he says out of proportion and make it about more than it really is – like race hip hop generation and the ‘proper’ way to play basketball.
It’s almost as irritating as caring who shaq wants to win the nba finals – and the fact that that’s news.
As for whatever the ‘proper’ way is to play basketball – if you think allen iverson plays in a way that will help a team win an nba championship – proper or not – you’re just wrong
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 12, 2009 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree, good write-up.
I suppose there is a difference between a great basketball player and a great NBA player.
Iverson, in his prime, was a great basketball player.
well said.
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
say what you want about iverson
but he’s the only player in the league that could’ve taken that 2000-2001 team as far as he did
even though they fell short of winning an nba title, there are few, if any, Sixers fans who could disagree that the 00-01 team provided us with one of the most magical sports seasons we’ve ever seen
WFC
I don’t believe that – a volume shooter who draws fouls surrounded by four guys who play suffocating defense and don’t need the ball offensively – at that time – would have made the finals
that team would have no shot in todays nba
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 5, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions
no one said anything about today's NBA
if you can, go back and watch game 1 of the finals that year.. that team looked lost during the stretch in the 4th when Lue was “defending” Iverson.. they needed him more than any team has ever needed a single player.. whether that was ultimately a good or bad thing is upto you, i’m just sayin i don’t think anyone else could’ve done what A.I. did with that team
WFC
And I disagree…Allen Iverson shoots a lot and gets fouled alot – and is aa defensive liability cause he’s more worried about steals than team defense.
A lot of ‘shooting guards’ in their prime probably could have taken the 2001 team to the finals in the weak east.
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 6, 2009 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions
like who?
they would’ve had to been able to put up 40 on any given night
WFC
Vince Carter was in his prime in 2001 wasn’t he?
Ray Allen in 2001?
I don’t know – but like I said – there’s a lot of research out there that kind ofproves that if you aren’t a slave to ‘ppg’ – iverson wasn’t that ‘great’ in 2001
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 6, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Iverson beat both of them in 2001, didn’t he?
i’m not a slave to ppg and stats and box scores don’t tell the whole story.. what we saw on the court that season proves A.I.’s greatness
WFC
Iverson beat them all by himself did he?
They had identical teams to the sixers did they?
My logic was that you could replace Iverson with similar players and still had the same results, by saying the 2001 sixers beat those teams proves nothing as the rosters weren’t idential (minus the iverosn/carter switch)…they were different teams, with different coaches and different systems and players….so not sure how your statement ‘disproves’ me at all.
I’ll remind you that Iverson didn’t beat ANYONE on his own
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 6, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions
People idolozing Iverson is a problem
Especially young kids, and super especially to young black males. He’s the poster child for dumb thug who cares nothing about himself and himself only. Yes he has good basketball skills, but kids look up to this idiot and imitate his thug style. I dont hate anyone, so I guess I do have to love him, but he’s still an unber dumb ass gangster wanna-be.
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
So many things wrong with this statment
But primarily – kids will idolize who they idolize – if parents choose not to get involved in it – let’s FOR ONCE blame the parents instead of every BUT the parents
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 17, 2009 6:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Agree
Parents must take responsibility in raising their kids right.
It doesnt make what Iverson does any better though. Just look at the title “Rebel Without a Cause.” He does have a cause. His cause is doing what he wants and not caring about the effects he has on anything or anybody.. He’s a jackass, no one on the planet should look up to him.
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
Yawn – and he doesn’t ask a single person to look up to him.
I hate charles barkley – but folks have to remember his ’i’m not a role model’ schtick
Our society as a whole idolizes the wrong people- period – not just iverson
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 17, 2009 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Our society as a whole idolizes the wrong people- period – not just iverson
Yea what about all the gansta rappers, or drug abusing rockers?
"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009
wow – really? that silly
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 17, 2009 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
who cares nothing about himself and himself only
I don’t agree with this assessment of Iverson at all. I also happen to be his biggest fan.
"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009
HATERS
Anyone you says AI is not the best small man scorer in league history has no clue.
You may not like him personally, but don’t let that cloud his skill, heart and legacy.
Anyone who thinks he wasn’t appreciated for his game didn’t read what was going on.
And anyone who doesn’t think WHO YOU ARE affects your legacy doesn’t pay attention to how the world works.
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 24, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions
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