The Washington Post published a pretty fascinating article about one of the most polarizing athletes in Philadelphia sports history. Philly fans, myself included, absolutely loved watching Allen Iverson suit up and do mind-boggling things on the basketball court. But his off-the-court antics and questionable work ethic also infuriated.
Tales of his loose wallet and flashy life style are well documented, but the Post paints a picture of something even worse, of a shitty father and a guy with an alcohol problem so bad it's seemingly ruining the best things in his life.
Any Sixers fan really has to read the whole story. But I highlighted four awful and fascinating bits in addition to one that makes you feel just a bit for the former NBA MVP.
First, let's go right to Sixers CEO Adam Aron prior to Iverson bobblehead night a couple weeks back (video).
“He’ll be on time,” Aron says assuredly. “That’s all that matters.”
Because when dealing with Allen Iverson, you just kind of hope he shows up.
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According to a bank statement submitted in the divorce, the couple’s checking account was overdrawn by more than $23,000 in July 2011. In a single day, $23,255.36 was deducted – at a diamond store, a hat shop, a steakhouse and a hotel.
Man. Who wouldn't have loved to pal around with A.I. on that day. Ribeyes for the whole posse.
“He has hit rock bottom, and he just hasn’t accepted it yet,” says former Philadelphia teammate Roshown McLeod.
Roshown McLeod? Really? That's the guy quoted to say A.I. has hit rock bottom. To be honest, I had to go check Basketball Reference to see when he played with Iverson. Turns out McLeod did appear in one game with the Sixers in the 2000-2001 season. He put in a solid 15 minutes and shot 1-2 from the field, added a turnover and two personal fouls to go with his two points as a Sixer.
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Iverson stood during a divorce proceeding in Atlanta in 2012 and pulled out his pants pockets. “I don’t even have money for a cheeseburger,” he shouted toward his estranged wife, Tawanna, who then handed him $61.
That one is just sad. That makes me sad. It's very sad. I'd buy A.I. a cheeseburger.
And the final one, which paints Iverson as a guy with a big heart, is when he made a video message for longtime Georgetown hoops trainer Lorry Michel when she was being inducted into the school's Hall of Fame.
A.I.'s video played off his famous "Practice?!" press conference, but talked about the love he had for his former trainer.
Go read the whole thing and feel all sorts of conflicting feelings about Allen Iverson.
>>Allen Iverson, NBA icon, struggles with life after basketball [WAPO]