Iverson Returns to Philly
Philadelphia fans played it classy tonight when they gave Allen Iverson a huge ovation in his return to the City of Brotherly Love for the first time since his trade to Denver. (Philadelphia-based pundits will no doubt praise the city's fans for their warmth but the only reason that anyone was questioning the reception he would get is because Philly fans are natural assholes.) All in all, the atmosphere was everything you could want in an NBA game. AI gets tons of love and plays well. The game, which has serious playoff implications for both teams, is close but the home team pulls it out. If you don't like that then you don't like NBA basketball.
Iverson was a two-sport star from Hampton, Va. who chose to concentrate on basketball at Georgetown University. His NBA career has showcased his brash raw talent, his anti-establishment attitude, his ridiculous crossover, and his ability to carry a team on his shoulders to the NBA Finals. One of the more interesting things about AI's career is his drastic transformation from a symbol for everything wrong with the NBA to a media darling. There is no question Iverson has matured throughout his years in the League but I don't really think he has changed much. Criticism of his tattoos or his cornrows seems quaintly racist and even his monologue on practice doesn't seem as bad considering how hard he has always played. The media finally realized that there was substance buried over there beneath all that style but, for me, the style has always been my favorite part of AI (self pass at 4:40).
It always amused me when people complained about AI carrying the ball on his crossover. How could anyone concentrate on that when The Answer was shaking the best defenders in the NBA? People forget that Iverson could dunk with the best of them (I love the one-hand-to-two dunks around the 2:00 mark). He is also a tremendous passer and he can finish with the high kiss off the glass as well as anyone in the game.
And then there is everything else. He's not above street ball. He has class... and freakish ups. His penchant for partying is legendary. I dont' really know what changed everyone's mind but I'm glad they did. Go out and watch Iverson highlights on youtube for a few hours. You won't regret it.
Iverson was a two-sport star from Hampton, Va. who chose to concentrate on basketball at Georgetown University. His NBA career has showcased his brash raw talent, his anti-establishment attitude, his ridiculous crossover, and his ability to carry a team on his shoulders to the NBA Finals. One of the more interesting things about AI's career is his drastic transformation from a symbol for everything wrong with the NBA to a media darling. There is no question Iverson has matured throughout his years in the League but I don't really think he has changed much. Criticism of his tattoos or his cornrows seems quaintly racist and even his monologue on practice doesn't seem as bad considering how hard he has always played. The media finally realized that there was substance buried over there beneath all that style but, for me, the style has always been my favorite part of AI (self pass at 4:40).
It always amused me when people complained about AI carrying the ball on his crossover. How could anyone concentrate on that when The Answer was shaking the best defenders in the NBA? People forget that Iverson could dunk with the best of them (I love the one-hand-to-two dunks around the 2:00 mark). He is also a tremendous passer and he can finish with the high kiss off the glass as well as anyone in the game.
And then there is everything else. He's not above street ball. He has class... and freakish ups. His penchant for partying is legendary. I dont' really know what changed everyone's mind but I'm glad they did. Go out and watch Iverson highlights on youtube for a few hours. You won't regret it.
posted by Gen at
7:30 PM
1 Comments:
I wish Allen Iverson would be more like Brett Favre...
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