Allen Iverson and Role Models

So apparently Allen Iverson signed a contract to play in front of a crowd of 1500 people. Lima, Ohio is the location. Yes, he was on contract. A legal contract. Here’s the big quote and it’s disturbing if you’re a big Iverson fan:

"“He didn’t give me his word. He gave me a contract,” Simpson said. “This wasn’t a handshake agreement. This was an actual contract that he was going to be here. I never had a conversation with Allen Iverson myself, I didn’t need to. I talked to his people and they assured me he was coming. They told me (Saturday night) he was in the Dayton airport. They assured me he was on the road (to here), but I’m starting to think that that was basically a lie. It was very embarrassing.”"

Quincy Simpson was the guy promoting the event using Iverson as the centerpiece. Story is from CSN

Look, I’m personally rather disappointed in the no-show. I’m a little surprised too. I wonder what happen? I mean, if his people were really telling the truth, Iverson should’ve been able to play.

Here’s a guy who claims he wants to play basketball. When he came to the Sixers and Celtics game 6 in the 2012 playoffs (I was there!), he was interviewed and one of the things he said, as he’s been saying since he announced his first retirement before the 2009-2010 season, was that he wanted to play b-ball. He still had passion for the game.

So why did he bail? A last minute emergency in which he couldn’t explain to the event people? He didn’t feel like it? The story doesn’t mention anything about money involved although I would think cash was discussed.

I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around Iverson lying. Would he do that? Would he lie and say he’ll play? Okay so he didn’t technically “say” anything but a contract is a voice. So yes, he said he would play. And then for his people to say “Yeah he’s on the way” is really bad too.

I’m one of those guys that never really connect character with on the court play. What Kobe did in Colorado is his business. All I care about is what happens on the court and in the basketball world. That goes for actors, musicians, etc. I only judge an actor’s acting by his acting.

It’s the same with Iverson. I rarely look up to famous people/celebrities since I don’t know them personally. I’ve never aspired to be a great writer/comedian/actor (I’ve written a movie script before) from Hollywood. I get dreams from people I know. Friends. Family. They inspire me.

So my feelings are not hurt. In my personal thoughts, I believe that looking up to people you don’t know is not the best thing to do. You just don’t know them. On a professional side, it’s obviously not a problem. When it comes to morals and characters, nah I don’t get involved.

I’m going to stop here because this is a sports theme blog. If you wish to read a full personalized post about this, I invite you to my blog DALANEL. I would never tell you to check out stuff that isn’t part of FanSided but this is an exception I think can fly. I’m going to return this post to Iverson.

I think the 76ers should retire this man’s jersey. Now. And I’m hoping he’s inducted into the Hall of Fame. Soon. I want to hear him give his acceptance speech. I don’t want to find out Iverson is locked up because he stole money from somewhere. Because, at the rate Iverson is going, he’s going to burn bridges. All of these reports of him owing money and being broke are sad. For a player that really brought out a new flavor to the NBA, he’s now a nothing. A guy that needs to let it go, but can’t. Won’t.

Iverson is the common example of what role models are. On the court, sure he’s somebody you want to be. Off the court, recently, not so much. And really, he never was. And he’s even said that he’s not in the role model business. But, you don’t want to ruin your reputation do you?

Oh I’ve always been a great supporter of Iverson’s game. Sure the practice rant was a bit much (I’m one of the guys that really doesn’t care for it.), but hey, how could you not like him? A small man, going up against everybody. I remember one game the late Robert “Tractor” Traylor fell on top of Iverson after one of Iverson’s many drives to the hoop. I thought Iverson was dead for sure. But nope, he got right back up. You couldn’t break him. Knock him down and he got right back up. I’ll bet his doctors hated him. He never wanted to sit on the bench. He’d play through any injury. A warrior. A fighter.

This probably isn’t the first post you’ve read about Iverson post-NBA days. It may not be the last either. But, it continues to be a story to look into. A story of success and yet failure.

Let’s just hope there’s more details to this story than is revealed. Good luck Allen.