New Respect for Allen Iverson
I have always thought of Allen Iverson as one of the most self-centered basketball players ever to put on a uniform. In 2002, he complained about practice to the point that it became one of the ten most watched sports videos of the last decade. When he was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons straight up for Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets got better because they received a team player. The Pistons received an over-inflated ego, who couldn’t come to terms with his increasingly fragile body. He said he’d rather retire than come off the bench when he was with the Detroit Pistons, even though he clearly was a shell of his former self. Then he retired after a very brief stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, only to come back one week later with his original team, the Philadelphia 76ers.
Now, my thoughts of Allen Iverson have changed drastically. He has been out of commision for about a month, not because of an injury, but to take care of his ailing 4-year-old daughter. How often do you hear of a sports star (especially one who is known to think only of himself) taking the needs of his family over his own? Answer: Almost never.
I can only think of one other instance where this was the case. Los Angeles Laker forward Derek Fisher (then playing for the Utah Jazz) missed half a playoff game (and a lot of practice time) to be with his daughter as she received treatments on a tumor in her eye. Then he was amicably let out of his contract so he could sign with the Lakers, almost solely so his daughter could get the care she needed without flying all over the country.
So Mr. Iverson, you’ve finally grown up. You probably didn’t need the $650,000 you were slated to get this year anyway, but it is admirable that despite coming out of retirement to continue your basketball dream, you’d be willing to sacrifice that for the sake of your daughter. Congrats Allen. Welcome to adulthood.
