Nothing Lasts Forever

By: Matt

Growing up as a basketball lover in the greater Philadelphia area during the mid 90’s I had the privilege of being able to watch Allen Iverson throughout the duration of his 76ers tenure and his prime. Iverson, the #1 overall pick in the legendary 1996 NBA Draft, was an immediate star in Philadelphia. Despite his small size, 6’0” 165lbs, Iverson was a stud; he was faster, more agile, and tougher than anyone else. Throughout the first 8 years of his career Iverson was one of the most feared scoring threats in the NBA, he averaged over 30 points and could score both from the 3 point line and on a fast break. Iverson took hits, went to the foul line, won over the hearts of fans despite a “bad-boy” reputation, and carried a 76ers team made up of mediocre role-players to the NBA Finals. As a little boy, it was hard to imagine that Iverson would ever fade, in a decade with the Sixers he never lost a step, defenders never learned how to counter his cross-over dribble (a move Iverson perfected), and he never stopped competing. Iverson was also an ironman, he played hurt and rarely was able to be hurt badly enough that he had to sit. One year Iverson suffered a wrist injury that was supposed to sideline him for a month, the Sixers started to lose and he was back after only a week. Pound-for-pound, Allen Iverson was the toughest athlete in sports and when he left Philadelphia I realized that I would never see another player like AI again. I also believed that Iverson would remain an elite NBA player for the better part of the next 10 years.

I was wrong. After becoming league MVP and one of the most feared players in basketball over 10 years with the Sixers, in just 3 years since leaving Iverson has faded. Iverson no longer has the lightning quickness he possessed while in Philadelphia, defenders have learned how to prevent his drive, and AI’s inability to make jumpers at will has left him a shell of his former self. While Philadelphians will always love AI, it seems that the man who once carried a franchise cannot find one that wants him. Like Raef LaFrentz before him Iverson became an expiring contract, and after that deal ended AI was left as an over-the-hill free agent. Detroit wouldn’t start him, Iverson wouldn’t come off the bench, and now he might retire. Today, Iverson is left trying to decide whether to sign with the lowly Los Angeles Clippers or equally bad Memphis Grizzlies as a potential starter, with Dwayne Wade’s Miami Heat as a 6^th man, or to retire after an esteemed 13 year career.

Long after winning NBA MVP honors Allen Iverson is, much like Karl Malone and Gary Payton, as a veteran player trying to win a Championship before his time runs out. Last time he was seen on the court Iverson had lost his iron-man reputation, he had lost his speed, and he had even lost his well recognized number 3. Sadly, it seems that Iverson will not be able to reach the ultimate stage again, and he, like Karl Malone, will retire without a ring; however, Iverson’s legacy will still be great, he brought respect back to the 76ers, revolutionized the fast break, and brought a new swagger to the NBA. For 76ers fans, the image of Iverson with his hand to his ear will live forever, and regardless of how his career ends, his accomplishments will land him in the Hall of Fame and in the hearts of Philadelphians as well.