The short, skinny underdog who played harder than anyone in recent memory could be king, and he nearly did so without compromising personally or professionally. Even if that made him a jerk, it was one worthy of respect.
Most fun I’ve ever had watching basketball was watching Iverson. The expectation of seeing him almost made bearable the diesel fume riddled bus r/t from the Hilltop to Cap Centre (refuse to call it USAir Arena).
Other than seeming to wish that AI would just die and never be heard from again. I guess it’s just one more reason to feel sorry for Philadelphia sports fans.
I freely admit that I know very little about Iverson's career, history, or current situation.
I’m not even sure why I care, but I do know that this article made me more angry than sad.
We’re all familiar with the narrative of a once-dominant athlete who lost things once the spotlight passed him (or her) by – money, family, cultural signifiance, the respect of journalists & fans. It’s the last one on that list that is most important here.
The author frames this as a piece focusing the “tragedy” of Allen Iverson, which suggests a degree of sympathy for his present state. Except that he can’t compliment his subject without prefacing it with an insult:
That’s why, no matter how boorish he could be or how self-inflicted his problems were, I rooted for Iverson on the court, and why I will continue to do so in life.
It’s an opinion piece. I understand that, and it would be fine if it seemed like the author had arrived at a final opinion. If he had chosen between hollow sympathy and veiled criticism. If words meant to outline tragedy weren’t twisted around into an implied judgment about what Iverson might have done differently, and suggesting how it would be best now if he accepted his fate of irrelevance.
If the intent is to tell a sad tale, a writer can choose to either offer an artful recounting of the facts or make the subject’s life a lesson to others. At the very least, if he truly thinks it’s best for him to disappear, don’t twist the damn knife as a great player sinks into the murky waters of sporting history. That’s just cruel.
Well, that sucks.
Most fun I’ve ever had watching basketball was watching Iverson. The expectation of seeing him almost made bearable the diesel fume riddled bus r/t from the Hilltop to Cap Centre (refuse to call it USAir Arena).
vivanloshoyas - January 31, 2012
thanks for the vid
love watching the shot clock get down to 8…7…6…then AI makes his move.
SirHoya - January 31, 2012
Good luck to Stoke City today
vivanloshoyas - January 31, 2012
thanks sir
alas, a predictably insipid road performance led to inevitable defeat. Ho hum, onto Saturday…
SirHoya - January 31, 2012
If only
that had worked against UConn in the waning seconds of the ’96 BET Championship game… sigh
vivanloshoyas - January 31, 2012
That's a nice little essay
Other than seeming to wish that AI would just die and never be heard from again. I guess it’s just one more reason to feel sorry for Philadelphia sports fans.
HoyaSmacksYa - January 31, 2012
I freely admit that I know very little about Iverson's career, history, or current situation.
I’m not even sure why I care, but I do know that this article made me more angry than sad.
We’re all familiar with the narrative of a once-dominant athlete who lost things once the spotlight passed him (or her) by – money, family, cultural signifiance, the respect of journalists & fans. It’s the last one on that list that is most important here.
The author frames this as a piece focusing the “tragedy” of Allen Iverson, which suggests a degree of sympathy for his present state. Except that he can’t compliment his subject without prefacing it with an insult:
It’s an opinion piece. I understand that, and it would be fine if it seemed like the author had arrived at a final opinion. If he had chosen between hollow sympathy and veiled criticism. If words meant to outline tragedy weren’t twisted around into an implied judgment about what Iverson might have done differently, and suggesting how it would be best now if he accepted his fate of irrelevance.
If the intent is to tell a sad tale, a writer can choose to either offer an artful recounting of the facts or make the subject’s life a lesson to others. At the very least, if he truly thinks it’s best for him to disappear, don’t twist the damn knife as a great player sinks into the murky waters of sporting history. That’s just cruel.
Hoya Saxual - January 31, 2012
+1
vivanloshoyas - January 31, 2012
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