Allen Ezail Iverson (born June 7, 1975, in Hampton, Virginia), nicknamed A.I., The Answer and Bubba Chucks is an American professional basketball player. He is an All-Star point/shooting guard for the Philadelphia 76ers franchise of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A ten-year veteran at the age of 31, he is considered by many to be among the greatest guards of his generation and one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the game.

In 2003, Iverson was ranked 53rd on SLAM Magazine's Top 75 NBA players of all time.

Early years

In 1975, Allen Iverson was born on the Virginia Peninsula (where both Hampton and Newport News are located). While attending Bethel High School in Hampton, Iverson excelled at both football and basketball. As quarterback, he led his team to the Virginia State Championship, but focused on basketball after high school. He received a scholarship to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he played for the Hoyas under college coach John Thompson.

NBA career

Impact on the 76ers

Upon leaving Georgetown after his sophomore year, Allen Iverson was selected with the first overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and has led the team in scoring ever since. Iverson quickly established himself in the NBA by winning the Rookie of the Month award in November of his first season, and ending that season averaging 23.5 points per game (good for sixth in the NBA).

Iverson's talent almost immediately led to an increase in fan interest in Philadelphia and improved ticket sales at the Sixers' box office. Dubbed The Answer, Iverson had arguably his best season in 2001, leading the NBA in scoring, winning the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, and reaching the NBA Finals. Once there, and up against the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers, Iverson carried his team to a shocking overtime victory in the series opener in Los Angeles. The Sixers nearly upset the Lakers again in Game 2 before the Lakers managed to regroup and take the series in five games.

Iverson has led the NBA in scoring four times (1998-99, 2000-01, 2001-02, and 2004-05) and, in the process, has tied George Gervin for the third-most NBA scoring titles by one player. He only trails Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan. On February 12, 2005, Iverson scored a career-high 60 points against the Orlando Magic.

Relationship with Larry Brown

For most of the early portion of Iverson's career, his head coach with the Sixers was Larry Brown. Iverson often praised Brown, saying that he would not have achieved so much in the sport without Brown's guidance. Iverson had a love-hate relationship with Brown, however, and the two frequently clashed, most famously after the 76ers were defeated in the first round of the 2002 NBA Playoffs. Brown criticized Iverson for missing team practices and Iverson defended himself with what would become a famous and oft-quoted monologue which some observers felt indicated a lack of appreciation by Iverson for the importance of practice.

I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we're in here talking about practice. I mean listen, we're talking about practice. Not a game . . . We're talking about practice. Not a game . . . that I go out there and die for, and play every game like it's my last. Not the game. We're talking about practice, man. I mean, how silly is that? We're talking about practice. I know I'm supposed to be there. I know I'm supposed to lead by example . . . I know it's important . . . I honestly do. But we're talking about practice, man. What are we talking about? Practice? We're talking about practice, man . . . We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We ain't talking about the game, we're talking about practice, man. When you come into the arena, and you see me play . . . you see me give everything I got, right? But we're talking about practice right now. We're talking about practice . . . We're not even talking about the game, the actual game, when it matters. We're talking about practice.

— Allen Iverson at a press conference on May 8, 2002

He said "practice" more times than he's actually practiced.

— Larry Brown speaking to reporters the next day

Nonetheless, when Brown left the 76ers in 2003, both he and Iverson indicated that the two were on good terms and genuinely fond of one another. Iverson later reunited with Brown when Iverson became a member and co-captain of the 2004 United States Olympic men's basketball team.

In 2005, on Stephen A. Smith's ESPN talkshow Quite Frankly, Iverson was asked to outline his problems with Brown. Iverson declared that he was privileged and honored to have had Brown as his coach, without any qualms, reservations or criticism; he described Brown as an overwhelmingly positive influence on his basketall career and in his personal life. Smith then played a clip of Brown describing "The Answer" as an ideal role-model for American children, and Iverson wept.[1]

2004 Olympics

The team's performance at the Olympic Games, however, would ultimately prove to be a disappointment. Iverson, alongside teammate LeBron James, were benched for a game for having arrived late to a practice session. The United States' team had a dismal start against Germany, which had failed to qualify for the Olympic competition. Iverson did succeed in keeping the game from going into overtime with a miraculous half-court shot in the closing seconds.

Despite the dramatic win, the team continued to struggle. They would ultimately claim a bronze medal, a very disappointing showing by US basketball standards.

Achievements

• NBA Most Valuable Player: 2001
• 7-time All-NBA:

• First Team: 1999, 2001, 2005
• Second Team: 2000, 2002, 2003
• Third Team: 2006

• 7-time NBA All-Star: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
• 2-time NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2001, 2005
• 4-time NBA regular-season leader, scoring average: 1999 (26.8), 2001 (31.1), 2002 (31.4), 2005 (30.7)
• NBA regular-season leader, total points: 2005 (2302)
• 3-time NBA regular-season leader, steals per game: 2001 (2.5), 2002 (2.8), 2003 (2.7)
• 2-time NBA regular-season leader, total steals: 2003 (225), 2005 (180)
• NBA regular-season leader, free throws made: 2005 (656)
• NBA Rookie Of The Year: 1997
• NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge MVP: 1997
• Ranked #53 SLAM Magazine's Top 75 NBA players of all time in 2003.
• One of only three players in NBA history to rank among the top five in points, steals, and assists per game average in a season (2005).
• Shares NBA record for most seasons leading league in steals with 3 (2001, 2002, 2003).
• Shares NBA record for most consecutive seasons leading league in steals at 3 (2001–2003).
• 19,115 career points (42nd all-time).
• Career scoring average (28.0) - third all-time^[1].
• He ranks second only to Michael Jordan in career playoff scoring (30.6 ppg).
• Team USA co-captain at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, and led the team in scoring (13.8 ppg).
• On February 19, 2004, against Seattle, scored 40 points in a game for the 50th time in his career.
• named an Eastern Conference All-Star starter in 2005 for the 6th year in a row (2000-05).
• 10th fastest player to reach 14,000 points on January 23, 2004.
• He averaged 14.3 points and 3.8 assists per game helping USA Basketball Men's Senior National team qualify for the 2004 Olympics.
• He received the sole first place vote that did not go to Shaquille O'Neal for the 1999-2000 NBA Most Valuable Player (the vote came from Fred Hickman).
• He set the Sixers all-time rookie record with 1,787 points.
• He scored 40 points in five straight games in April 1997 to set an NBA rookie record.
• NBA Rookie of the Month for November, 1997, leading all rookies in scoring (21.8 ppg), assists (6.4 apg) and steals (2.67 spg).

Player profile

Iverson is a prolific scorer who has averaged 28.0 points per game in his career, trailing all-time leader Michael Jordan in this category by only 2.1 points per game. Iverson's trademark crossover dribble is regarded as one of the most effective moves in the game, making him difficult for a defender to contain in one-on-one play. Iverson is also known for his ability to draw fouls, at times seeming to get the free-throw line almost at will. He is regularly one of the NBA's leaders in free throws attempted.[2]

On defense, Iverson is also an adept ball-thief. He again regularly ranks among the league leaders in steals.

Critics point out that neither Iverson's career shooting percentage (.421) nor assist average (6.1 per game) are very remarkable. They also frequently accuse Iverson being a ball hog: as of April 2006, he has taken ~15,800 shots in just under 700 games, averaging over 23 per game.

Despite these criticsms, however, as of 2006, Iverson is still generally regarded as one of the best point guards in the game, as evidenced by Iverson's being named the starting point guard for the Eastern Conference in the NBA All-Star Game for the past seven consecutive seasons. He was voted to the All-NBA third team in the 2005-2006 season.

Considered a certain inductee into the Hall of Fame after his retirement, Iverson's ability to effectively employ such a versatile combination of scoring methods — driving to the basket, drawing fouls, shooting from outside, and creating his own shot off of the dribble — all at only six feet tall, has made him one of the most unique players in NBA history.

Entire NBA career with one team

Iverson is tied with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers (10 years) for second place among active NBA players who have played their entire career for only one team. Kevin Garnett leads all active players, having played 11 years for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Controversy

Iverson has often been a controversial figure, dating back to his teenage years, including some troubles with the law.

1993

A highly publicized incident that almost jeopardized his college career involved in a racially-charged fight at a Hampton, Virginia bowling alley. On February 14, 1993, Iverson and several of his friends became involved in a racially-charged altercation with a group of white teenagers. During the fight, Iverson was accused of attacking a woman and hitting her in the head with a chair. He, along with three of his friends, also black, were the only ones arrested in the incident. Iverson, 17 years of age at the time, was convicted as an adult of the felony charge of "maiming-by-mob" and received a 15-year prison sentence (10 years suspended).

This incident was profiled on the television newsmagazine 60 Minutes due to claims of racial bias in the adjudication of the case. L. Douglas Wilder, at the time Governor of Virginia, became convinced that Iverson had been treated unfairly and controversially granted Iverson clemency, releasing him from his sentence. Iverson's conviction was later overturned on appeal.

1997

Iverson was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and for possession of marijuana. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to community service.

2002

Iverson allegedy threw his wife Tawanna out of the mansion during a fight. The following night, an enraged Iverson later went looking for his wife at his cousin's apartment. According to the police report, Iverson repeatedly threatened to kill his cousin Charles Jones and Jones's roommate while showing them a semiautomatic gun. Iverson was arrested and charged with 14 different counts. All charges were ultimately dropped after conflicting testimonies from witnesses.

2004

During the latter part of the 2003-2004 season, Iverson bristled under the disciplinarian approach of the Sixers' new head coach Chris Ford. This led to a number of contentious incidents, including Iverson being suspended for missing practice, fined for failing to notify Ford that Iverson would not attend a game because he was sick, and refusing to play in game because he felt "insulted" that Ford wanted Iverson to come off the bench as he worked his way back from an injury.[3]

On February 24, 2004, Iverson, a noted regular casino patron, was spotted at Bally's Park Place in Atlantic City urinating in a trash can in full view of staff and patrons. He was told by casino management not to return.[4]

2005

On December 9, 2005 after the Sixers defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, Iverson paid a late-night visit to the Trump Taj Mahal. After winning a hand at a three-card-stud poker table, Iverson was overpaid $10,000 in chips by a dealer. When the dealer quickly realized the mistake and requested the chips back, Iverson refused and a heated head-turning argument between him and casino staff began. Atlantic City casino regulations reportedly state that when a casino makes a payout mistake in favor of the gambler, he or she must return the money that they did not legitimately win by playing.

2006

On April 18, 2006 Iverson and Chris Webber arrived late to the Sixers' fan appreciation night and home game finale. Players are expected to report 90 minutes before gametime, but both Iverson and Webber arrived around tipoff. Exasperated coach Maurice Cheeks notified the media that neither would be playing and general manager Billy King announced that Iverson and Webber would be fined.[5]

Rap music

In 2000, Iverson recorded a rap album named 40 Bars. However, after being criticized for its controversial lyrics, he eventually was unable to release it. Going under his moniker, "Jewels", the album was alleged to have made derogatory remarks about homosexuals.

Punk'd

Iverson was initially denied entry into his own 30th birthday party at the Garden of Eden Club in Los Angeles by a bouncer who told him that he couldn't enter because one of the President's daughters and the Secret Service were inside the club. According to some, Iverson reacted "true to his expletive-filled on-court persona" by becoming belligerent and shouting "I didn't vote for him!" When he was "Punk'd" by Ashton Kutcher, Iverson laughed it off, then successfully played the same prank on another guest, this time keeping Indiana Pacers' forward-center Jermaine O'Neal out of the party because O'Neal did not bring any girls. Iverson's wife, Tawanna, who also attended that party, was later "Punk'd" by Kutcher.

NBA dress code

In 2005, NBA commissioner David Stern banned what critics and supporters call "hip-hop culture"-related attire such as Mitchell & Ness throwback jerseys, baggy jeans, crooked baseball caps, knee-length t-shirts, large items of jewelry, and Timberland boots. Punishment for violations would include fines and possible suspensions for repeat violations.

Iverson harshly 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." Iverson also said that the advertising of many prominent NBA sponsors, such as Nike, Reebok, Puma and Adidas were heavily influenced by hip-hop culture.

Trivia

• Married to high school sweetheart Tawanna Turner (since August 3, 2001) and the couple have four children: Tiaura (born 1995); Allen II (born 1998); Isaiah Rahsaan (born August 8, 2003); and Messiah Lauren (born August 16, 2005).
• Resides in the wealthy Philadelphia suburbs known as the Main Line.
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Brendan Gaughan was Iverson's college basketball teammate at Georgetown, and is considered one of Iverson's close friends.
• As a junior, Iverson quarterbacked Bethel High School's football team to the state championship title.
• His favorite song is "Unbelievable" by Notorious B.I.G.
• His favorite movie is The Color Purple.
• He enjoys drawing in his spare time.
• Wears tights (leggings) along with many other NBA players including Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant.
• Wears a compression sleeve on his right arm during games to keep his shooting arm warm.
• His favorite actor is Al Pacino.

See also

• List of National Basketball Association players with 60 or more points in a game

References

1. ^ http://www.databasebasketball.com/leaders/leaderscareer.htm?stat=ppg&lg=n

External links

• Player Profile at NBA.com (including statistics)
• Philadelphia 76ers' official site
• Official U.S. Olympic Team bio ... includes Olympic Q&A
• NBA Fantasy Basketball Stats - Allen Iverson
• Allen Iverson on Google News
• Allen Iverson Blog
• Allen Iverson at The Internet Movie Database