Pam Richter
Allen Iverson's tirade about practice when he was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers is one of the most replayed and talked about interviews in recent sports history. Iverson was accused of missing practice and went on to talk about how it wasn't that important because he wasn't missing a game.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6d4eMZW9fk]
Last week Iverson announced his retirement from the NBA. While I don't condone Iverson's off the court tirades and escapades, on the court he was something special.
He was drafted in 1996 first overall, by the 76ers after spending two seasons at Georgetown. Immediately, he made his presence known on the court in Philadelphia, by being named Rookie of the Year.
He spent 10 years with the 76ers before having a falling out with the organization and ultimately joined the Denver Nuggets. During his time with the 76ers, Iverson collected individual MVP honors as well as leading the team to an NBA Finals appearance.
While things went sour quickly with Iverson in Philadelphia, fans will never forget the fallout, but more importantly his exciting play. He was a lighting quick guard that always, without fail, made the game exciting.
He would break defenders with his signature crossover, or jump a passing lane and get a steal. He put the ball in the basket and won the heart of a critical sports city.
The Sixers put fans in the seats during Iverson's tenure, and the organization won too. Despite the fallout, Iverson should be remembered for his exciting and tantalizing play that always kept even the most critical Philadelphia sports fans at the edge of their seats.
Once Iverson left Philadelphia he made stops in Denver, Detroit and lastly with the Memphis Grizzlies. But quite frankly, never returned to his MVP form. Now, after parting ways with the Grizzlies, Iverson has decided to retire.
Since the decision came so quickly, it can be speculated that it has come out of frustration. But for a player who has had such a decorated career like Iverson, he deserves to ride off into the sunset in an appropriate fashion.
As I've said before, by no means do I approve of Iverson's attitude or off the court actions. But, he will go down in NBA history as one of the league's best scorers as well as one of the best players, along with Charles Barkley, to have never win a championship.
No Iverson, right now we're not talking about practice, we're talking about the excitement you brought each time you stepped on the court, and this is how you should be remembered.