The Rise and Fall of Allen Iverson

This man represented everything that was good and bad about the NBA for many years. Now his life is in a complete free fall. Truly a Greek tragedy.

Allen Iverson had a meteoric rise. At Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia he was a star in both football and basketball. He could have played major college football or major college basketball. Then on February 14, 1993 Iverson's world was turned upside down. On that night Iverson, and several other African Americans, were involved in a fight with a group of young white men at the local bowling alley. Iverson, and two other blacks were arrested. None of the white men were arrested or charged. Iverson was charged with as an adult of the felony charge of maiming by mob at the age of 17. He spent 4 months in a correctional facility in Virgina. His high school senior year of playing was gone. In 1995 the Virginia Court of Appeals overturned the suspension, because of lack of evidence. The whole story of this trial will be shown on a documentary tommorow. As part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series tommorow "No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson" will air at 8p.m. ET on ESPN and at 11p.m. ET on ESPN2  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9hezhStmrM . That incident and trial forever changed Iverson's life.

Iverson was able to get passed that incident and play college basketball. Iverson played two seasons at Georgetown. He was a star there. While Georgetown never won anything there he's famous for his performance vs. UCONN's Ray Allen in the 1996 Big East Championship Game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awAwn5wMd7Y . It was epic and raised his profile.

Iverson was the first pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. In his first few seasons his crossover schooled many players including Michael Jordan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3X274lz3wY . In fact Iverson's rise to the top occured once MJ retired (the second Bulls one).

For many people who are in their 20's today (myself included) Allen Iverson was THE NBA STAR in the bridge between Michael Jordan and Lebron James/#24 Kobe Bryant. More than Shaq, more than a young #8 Kobe Bryant, more than Vince Carter, more than anyone, Allen Iverson was the star. His 2001 season was amazing. He won the NBA MVP, and carried a meidocre Philadelphia 76ers team to the NBA Finals before losing in 5 games to Shaq, Kobe, and the Lakers. In fact Iverson was the player David Stern and the NBA marketed following MJ's final retirement from the Bulls. Over time, though, Stern did not like the "bling bling" look the NBA had going around, lead by Iverson, and adopted the dress code of suit and tie to games and press conferences that rull the NBA today.

Around this time, people like me, looked at Iverson as the "underdog" and the "everyman" of the league. Getting passed the tattoos, the big jeans and backwards hats, all the bling, the cornrows and the rap songs from him Iverson represented some of the same core values "Middle America" has. At 6 ft. 180 lbs. (though I have never ever believed he's 6 foot) Iverson represented the underdog role. Too small to be in the NBA, he flourished in the league. His never give up attitude on the court, diving on the floor, and fighting for every second represented the "lunch pale" work ethic "Middle America" is all about. Iverson's "me against the world" mentality is what made him great, and what made him loved. It's alos what brought his downfall.

Since that bowling lane incident on that fateful February 13, 1993 night Iverson has always looked out for himself, first and foremost. As great as Iverson was, if he could have been a more unselfish player he would have been a better player. This mindset caused his "practice" rant when he could not understand why his practice would make his team better http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI&feature=related . It's that same selfishness that drove Larry Brown insane when he coached Iverson at Philly. His selfish play lead by him and Stephon Marbury was the face of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team's dissapointing bronze finish. This mindset caught up with him when his playing skills diminshed. At this point had Iverson been more unselfish he could have been a tremendous role player going for a title (like Ray Allen with Boston). Instead he fought to be the star in Denver, Detroit, and Memphis when he no longer had the skills worthy of star status.When Iverson realized this it was too late. Iverson teared up when he was given one last chance with Philadelphia earlier this past season  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8qQ9D97cIA . Iverson played a few games then left, because of turmoil in his off-court life. Part of his downfall.

Iverson's "me against the world" attitude has doomed him off the court as well. In 2002 Iverson had a domestic dispute charge on him from his wife. It was later dropped, but showed the complex life he lived. Now in 2010 Iverson is getting divorced from his wife, his 4 year old daughter is in bad health, and Iverson is reportedly broke because of alcohol and gambling problems. Was anyone suprised when they heard this? I surely wasn't. It represents who he is. "Me against the world" people turn to alcohol for comfort. And Iverson was the ultimate gambler on the court. So why would he not be one off the court? Unfortanetly professional athletes going broke is a trend on the rise http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ys-investopediamoneyloss031010&prov=yhoo&type=lgns . Iverson is just one of the casualties of players losing all/most of their money when their careers come to an end.

Iverson's story is truly that of a Greek tragedy. The same characteristics that brought the rise, lead to his downfall which is the essence of any Greek tragedy. His selfish nature lead to the rise and fall of his NBA career. But that is not the tragic part. The fact that his off the court life is spirling downward is the real tragedy. Truly a play, a book, a story could be made of The Rise and Fall of Allen Iverson. A 21st Century Greek Tragedy.

Kofod