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Allen Iverson

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Allen Iverson.

Position: Guard
College: Georgetown
NBA draft: 1996, 1st round,
1st overall,
Philadelphia 76ers
Pro career: Currently in his 10th season
Hall of Fame: none
(still active)

Allen Iverson (June 7, 1975, Hampton, Virginia) is an American professional basketball player. He is an All-Star shooting guard for the National Basketball Association's Philadelphia 76ers franchise. At the age of 30, he is considered by many to be among the greatest guards. His nicknames include The Answer and A.I..

Early years

In 1975, Allen Iverson was born on the Virginia Peninsula (where both Hampton and Newport News are located), (which also produced NFL quarterbacks Michael Vick and Aaron Brooks). While attending Bethel High School in Hampton, Iverson excelled at both football and basketball. As quarterback, he lead his team to the Virgina 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 and legendary college coach John Thompson.

NBA career

File:IVERSON ALLEN 3 172871 480 art R0.jpg
Allen Iverson makes up for his lack of size with speed, ball-handling, and hustle.

After leaving Georgetown after his sophomore year, Allen Iverson was selected with the first pick (1st overall) in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and has led the team in scoring ever since. As a rookie he quickly gained national popularity for a famous left-to-right crossover dribble which caused some defenders, most notably Michael Jordan, to stumble. At just 6'0" and a slender 165 pounds, Iverson employs his superior quickness, great ball handling ability, and unbending determination to single-handedly carry his team on his back. He had arguably his best season in 2001, leading the NBA in scoring, winning the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, and reaching the NBA Finals. Allen Iverson carried his team to a shocking overtime victory in the series opener in Los Angeles, and nearly upset the Lakers again in Game Two. The Lakers went on to win the series in five games.

The NBA changed several rules during the off-season, and allowed zone defenses. These new rules have since limited Iverson's effectiveness somewhat, but he was still able to lead the NBA in steals and minutes played while maintaining his high scoring average. In fact, 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 scoring titles. He only trails Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan. On February 12, 2005, Iverson scored a career-high 60 points against the Orlando Magic. He had praised then-76ers head coach Larry Brown, often saying that he would not have reached the heights that he has in the sport without Brown's guidance. He had a love-hate relationship with Brown, however. After the 76ers were defeated in the first round of the 2002 NBA Playoffs, Brown criticized Iverson for missing team practices. Iverson later reunited with Brown as a member and co-captain of the 2004 Summer Olympics Men's Team United States. However, they were only able to win the bronze medal. Iverson, along with teammate LeBron James, were benched during a game, when they were late to a practice session. The United States team had a dismal start against Germany who had failed to qualify for the Olympic competition. However Iverson kept the game from going into overtime with a miraculous half-court shot in the closing seconds. In 2003, Allen Iverson was ranked 53rd on SLAM Magazine's Top 75 NBA players of all time.

Achievements

  • Only player in NBA history to be in top five in points, steals, and assists per game average: 2005
  • NBA Most Valuable Player: 2001
  • 3-time All-NBA First Team: 1999, 2001, 2005
  • 3-time All-NBA Second Team: 2000, 2002, 2003
  • 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, points per game: 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 Month: November 1997
  • NBA Rookie Of The Year: 1997

Controversy

File:Jewelz ivyalbum.jpg
Allen Iverson's controversial album 40 Bars, recorded under the name "Jewels".

Allen Iverson has been a controversial figure, dating back to his teenage years, including having trouble with the law.

1993

A highly publicized incident that almost jeopardized his college career involved in a fight between black and white people at a Hampton, Virginia bowling alley. On February 14, 1993, Iverson and several of his friends were involved in a fight 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 was arrested, along with three of his friends. Iverson was convicted of three felony charges and received a sentence of 15 years in prison. After serving just five months, Iverson received a pardon from the governor of Virginia. The incident dismissed him from Bethel High School in Hampton.

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 the witnesses refused to testify.

Iverson unleashes one of the all-time great soundbites in the infamous "practice" news conference. Allen had been criticized by then-76ers coach Larry Brown for missing practice. Iverson showed little remorse, and was able to make even the media laugh at his analysis of the situation.

Rap music

Iverson created a rap album named 40 Bars. However, after being criticized for its controversial lyrics, he eventually cancelled its release.

2005

Iverson's 30th birthday created a lot of havoc against Ashton Kutcher on June 7, 2005. Iverson was initially denied entry to his own birthday party held at the Garden of Eden Club in Los Angeles by a bouncer who told him that he couldn't enter because one of George W. Bush's daughters and the Secret Service were inside the club. According to some people, Iverson reacted his "off court persona" by shouting, "I didn't vote for him!" When he was Punk'd by Kutcher, Iverson laughed it off, then successfully played the same prank on another guest, this time keeping Pacers' forward-center Jermaine O'Neal out from his birthday party.

NBA dress code controversy

In 2005, NBA commissioner David Stern banned what critics and supporters call "hip-hop culture"-related attire such as Mitchell & Ness throwback jerseys, jeans, hats, t-shirts, large items of jewelry, and Timberland boots. Punishment for violations would include fines and possible suspensions for repeat violations. Iverson countered NBA commissioner David Stern's dress code by saying "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."

Opinions of Iverson's basketball ability

There are many different opinions on Allen Iverson the basketball player. While he scores many points, he also shoots a below average field goal percentage. Iverson has often been criticized as being a ball hog, especially early in his career. His career field goal percentage is currently 41.9. When he drives to the basket, he is extremely good at laying the ball up high off the glass in order to avoid getting blocked. He uses his elbow to create space for the layup. This season, his field goal percentage is over 46%, the highest it has been in years, and he is neck-and-neck with Kobe Bryant for the leading scorer in the NBA, averaging over 33 points per game and over 7 assists a game 3rd in the NBA this season.

He has also emerged as one of the United States' most important members of the Olympic basketball team. In the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, Iverson was one of the few bright spots in what was otherwise a disappointing showing. While many other players either complained about playing time or played poorly, he had a fabulous Olympics, led the team in scoring, and served as the co-captain of the team. This was particularly ironic considering he almost was not even invited to participate. While others, such as Tim Duncan, have quickly declined the invitation to play in the 2008 Olympics, he has made it clear that he is honored to play for his country.

Despite his small stature, Iverson is able to get shots off at will and repeatedly land among the league-leaders in scoring. He is arguably the quickest player in the NBA. He is also known for his relentless competitiveness and toughness, often playing major minutes at a high energy level while injured. Iverson is also one of the best pickpockets in the game, averaging two and a half steals per game.

Trivia

  • Iverson served as 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.
  • He was named an Eastern Conference All-Star starter in 2005 for the 6th year in a row (2000-05).
  • Iverson was the 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 was named the 2000-01 NBA Most Valuable Player, leading the league in scoring (31.1 ppg) and steals (2.51 spg).
  • 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.)
  • Iverson was the Most Valuable Player of the 2001 and 2005 All-Star Games.
  • He was three times selected All-NBA Second Team (2000, 2002, 2003).
  • He was three times selected All-NBA First Team (1999, 2001, 2005).
  • Iverson was named the 1996-97 Schick NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the first 76ers player to ever win the award.
  • 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.
  • He was named MVP (Most Valuble Player) of the Schick Rookie Game during the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend, posting 19 points and a game-high 9 assists.
  • Iverson was named 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).
  • NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Brendan Gaughan was Iverson's college basketball teammate at Georgetown, and is considered one of Iverson's close friends.
  • His nicknames include "Big Al", "The Answer", "Mr. Big Shot", "A.I." and "Top Balla"
  • He is criticized as being a "ball hog".
  • Favorite song: Notorious B.I.G - "Unbelievable"
  • Favorite book: "The color purple"

See also

Preceded by:
Shaquille O'Neal 		2000-01 NBA MVP Succeeded by:
Tim Duncan
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