A lightening-quick guard with an attacking style, Allen Iverson is a first ballot Hall of Famer, once he retires.
He has been one of the most controversial figures in the game today. From challenging coaches, referees and the league his insubordination has sometimes overshadowed his immense talent. He came into the league in 1996 as the first pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. During the 10 years in Philadelphia Allen Iverson played his bestbasketball.
The numerous off court incidences never affected his performance on the court. The accolades came easily and his relentless scoring and defense led the 76ers to the playoffs. His resume included 4 NBA scoring titles, earning the nickname “The Answer”, 1997 Rookie of the Year, 2001 League MVP, 2x All-Star MVP (2001 and 2005), ten time NBA All-Star, three time All-NBA 1st team (1999, 2001, 2005), 1997 All-NBA Rookie Team, Three time All-NBA 2nd team (2000, 2002, 2003), and one time All-NBA 3rd team (2006).
On December 19, 2006 he was traded to the Denver Nuggets. After less than two years he was traded to the Detroit Pistons for Chauncey Billups.
A year later he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He was not happy in Memphis and complained about being a bench player and left the team November 7th, 2009 and the Grizzlies terminated his contract.
After announcing his retirement, the Philadelphia 76ers signed him to a contract. The on court Allen Iverson is a standout NBA player. He has represented the USA internationally as a member 0f the 1995 University Games and the 2004 bronze medal winning Olympic team.
An inexhaustible scorer and high-energy player Allen Iverson will rank among the best to ever play. He was born in Hampton Virginia June 7, 1975, where he grew up and attended high school. The incident that has followed Allen Iverson is whole carrier is being convicted of “maiming by a mob”, after a fight in a bowling alley, in 1993.
He was convicted as an adult even though he was only 17 years old. Allen Iverson spent four months at Newport News City Farm, a correctional facility in Virginia he was granted clemency by the Virginia Governor Virginia Court overturned the conviction in 1995 due to lack of evidence. Allen Iverson has always spoken his mind and his strong opinions have caused a lot of disdain for him as a player.
Friction with the Philadelphia 76ers and Allen Iverson began after they were eliminated for the 2002 playoffs. After a loss then coach Larry Brown criticized Allen Iverson for missing practice. Iverson responded with a press conference and his famous rant about practice.
The new head coach Chris Ford and Allen Iverson immediately had some trails and tribulations. Allen Iverson did not like the new discipline policies. During that season he was benched, fined and refused to play.
He also began having issues with the NBA. Commissioner David Stren instituted a new dress code that Iverson publicly denounced, he arrived late to team functions, publicly urinated at a casino, argued with casino staffers, and skipped team events.
Everything culminated on 12/82006 when Allen Iverson was told not to attend anymore games and the Sixers Chairman Ed Snider confirmed the trade rumors by stating “We’re going to trade him. At a certain point, you have to come to grips with the fact that it’s not working.
He wants out and we’re ready to accommodate him”. Allen Iverson has spent his career as a very polarizing figure. He seems to buck authority and does not want to be a role model. Yet this sometimes very coarse individual started the Crossover Foundation for HIV/AIDS awareness and building basketball courts for inner city youth.
He will be remembered for many things, a killer crossover, starting the Hip Hopbasketball generation, his defiance of authority, and overcoming his size to rise to the top of the NBA.
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