allen_iverson_retires

 

The enigma which is Allen Iverson has officially retired from the game of basketball.  The 38 year old former NBA all-star held an official press conference on Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

 

The six-foot 165-pound point guard made a major impact on the league when he became a Sixer in 1996. Although small in frame, his toughness was felt on and off the court. On the court he led his team to victories and remains one of the top-scoring point guards ever to play the game.  For starters, he became the Rookie of the Year in 1996-97 and made All-NBA first, second and third teams. He’s a 11-time All-Star and has the sixth highest scoring average in NBA history with 26.7  points per game.  He remains number two in highest scoring average during playoffs with 29.7 points (right behind Michael Jordan who is number one).

 

It’s been four years since Iverson played in the NBA.  He’s been dealt with a boat load of troubles ranging from marriage/divorce and child support to alleged alcohol and gambling addictions. These vices and circumstances have kept Iverson in the media for years. But, it is unfortunate that his media attention hasn’t been about basketball and him actually playing in it.  He addresses this issue during the press conference and explains why he hasn’t talked about his problems publicly.

 

“It does bother me, I have a heart just like everybody else,” Iverson said of the recent stories. “People have encouraged me to [publicly] address those issues. But if I know and my family knows and people that are close to me know, why do I have to explain myself? It’s hard having rhino skin sometimes. … A negative story about Allen Iverson is going to sell regardless. Nobody wants to talk about what I do for [charities]. That’s how this world is.”

 

As once a $200 million man, Iverson has given back to various organizations and causes.  It was once his star power and influence on the youth that grab the attention of big corporations. His refusal to be none other than himself through communication, friendships, or sense of fashion and style was why everyone loved A.I. so much. That is except for the NBA and a some critics.  As Iverson expressed in his press conference, he paved the way for the young ballers today to be themselves and look the way they want in the NBA.  But, he says that it was unfortunate that he was the one who had to take the heat for it.

 

“I took an ass kicking for me being me in my career,” Iverson said. “For me looking the way I look and me dressing the way I dress. It was just being me. Now, look around, now all of the guys in the NBA have tattoos. You used to think the suspect was the guy with the cornrows. Now you see the police officers with the cornrows. I took a beating for those type of things and I’m proud to say I changed a lot with this culture and this game.”

 

No matter what he looked like or acted like, you can never deny his talent on the courts. Iverson thought that his retirement was be a sad occasion. In fact, he says he’s happy. He will officially retire his Philadelphia  Sixers #3 jersey on March 1, 2014.

 

No one really knows what’s in store for A.I. or how he plans to get out of financial debt. But, there is talks about a documentary being filmed about his life.

 

 

Watch A.I’s press conference below: