Allen Iverson (a bit wordy)
Sports as life
Last night was a great night for me. It followed a day where I stayed home due to illness (actual illness) and ended with my 76ers.
Since I was 12 I have been a full fledged 76er fan. Before that I teetered around the league rooting for teams that won games. My dad took me to games but I was never a huge fan. I began actively rooting for them in 1992, after the team I used to root for lost in the NBA finals…thus were no longer a winner. The 76ers in 1992 were not a good team. This statement was echoed in 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98. They were a below average 20-31 win team for 6 years. These six years, I watched players come and go like a rerun of the love boat. Don’t get me wrong, there were some great moments…however, everything changed in 96 when they drafted Allen Iverson.
He was not the greatest player ever, but he brought along an energy and desire to win that had been missing from a down franchise. Ownership knew they had something special, so they got a coach known for turning things around. In 4 short years, this coach, along with Iverson took the team from 22 wins to the NBA finals. I watched almost every game! That finals appearance would be the peak as the team began to level off at mediocrity. Iverson still filled the seats, but his coach had left along with the players and mentality that carried this team to its highest potential. Eventually fans stopped caring, and like A.I., got tired of the losing. Iverson was traded…at the time for cents on the dollar. Many left the 76ers for dead, despite a late surge after the all star break, they were predicted to finish last or near last this NBA season. Early on, the experts were correct, but then they fired their GM, traded away their best shooter and released the man whom he was traded for….they started running, started winning and all of the sudden found themselves in the thick of the playoff chase. They were exciting again, and full of promise.
And then last night, the man who had represented the franchise for over a decade returned…the prodigal son he was called. He came back to where he learned how to be a professional, learned how to win and lose, learned how to deal with criticsm. He was greeted with a hero’s welcome. One could see the emotion brimming as he held his hand to his ear as he did so many times while wearing the home uniform. His blank face was poetic for someone who was known as outspoken, brash, unchangeable…and above all things…emotional.
Well he came back, playing for the other team, and did well. He even had a chance to tie the game at the end…but came up short. It was very strange watching this game alone at a local pool hall./bar. It took me back years. It took me back to my basement in Delaware where I watched so many games alone with the tv…when the 76ers were young, exciting and had promise…and also to see A.I. back where he used to own opponents was equally nostalgic. It was like going on a double date with your ex and her new man and you with your current, younger, more attractive girlfriend. You are not vindictive at your ex for leaving you, but more appreciative for letting you grow. Iverson was there for me as I grew from 16 - 26. I miss him on the court, but I know that I am better off with out him. The 76ers are better off without him. But, he will always have a place in our hearts.
Last night was a great night for me. It followed a day where I stayed home due to illness (actual illness) and ended with my 76ers.
Since I was 12 I have been a full fledged 76er fan. Before that I teetered around the league rooting for teams that won games. My dad took me to games but I was never a huge fan. I began actively rooting for them in 1992, after the team I used to root for lost in the NBA finals…thus were no longer a winner. The 76ers in 1992 were not a good team. This statement was echoed in 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98. They were a below average 20-31 win team for 6 years. These six years, I watched players come and go like a rerun of the love boat. Don’t get me wrong, there were some great moments…however, everything changed in 96 when they drafted Allen Iverson.
He was not the greatest player ever, but he brought along an energy and desire to win that had been missing from a down franchise. Ownership knew they had something special, so they got a coach known for turning things around. In 4 short years, this coach, along with Iverson took the team from 22 wins to the NBA finals. I watched almost every game! That finals appearance would be the peak as the team began to level off at mediocrity. Iverson still filled the seats, but his coach had left along with the players and mentality that carried this team to its highest potential. Eventually fans stopped caring, and like A.I., got tired of the losing. Iverson was traded…at the time for cents on the dollar. Many left the 76ers for dead, despite a late surge after the all star break, they were predicted to finish last or near last this NBA season. Early on, the experts were correct, but then they fired their GM, traded away their best shooter and released the man whom he was traded for….they started running, started winning and all of the sudden found themselves in the thick of the playoff chase. They were exciting again, and full of promise.
And then last night, the man who had represented the franchise for over a decade returned…the prodigal son he was called. He came back to where he learned how to be a professional, learned how to win and lose, learned how to deal with criticsm. He was greeted with a hero’s welcome. One could see the emotion brimming as he held his hand to his ear as he did so many times while wearing the home uniform. His blank face was poetic for someone who was known as outspoken, brash, unchangeable…and above all things…emotional.
Well he came back, playing for the other team, and did well. He even had a chance to tie the game at the end…but came up short. It was very strange watching this game alone at a local pool hall./bar. It took me back years. It took me back to my basement in Delaware where I watched so many games alone with the tv…when the 76ers were young, exciting and had promise…and also to see A.I. back where he used to own opponents was equally nostalgic. It was like going on a double date with your ex and her new man and you with your current, younger, more attractive girlfriend. You are not vindictive at your ex for leaving you, but more appreciative for letting you grow. Iverson was there for me as I grew from 16 - 26. I miss him on the court, but I know that I am better off with out him. The 76ers are better off without him. But, he will always have a place in our hearts.