Allen Iverson Sheds A Tear…

I really hope AI was sincere and was not just reading off a script. If he was, then good for him. This looks like a good step in the right direction. It won’t change the media’s thoughts on him, but I definitely like it. All NBA players should try to give back to the community, not just because its the right thing to do, but because they enjoy giving back and turning around someone’s life.

I don’t think he was reading some kind of script. We really don’t know what Iverson is off the court. And as much as it’s bad to say, I could care less what he does off the court in his spare time. These athletes might be larger than life, but I have a life of my own. What they do on the court in a Pistons uniform is all that matters to me.

With that said, it’s nice to see someone get choked up like that about making an impact on someone’s lives. It makes them human.

Ali, I would like you to tell me what the media thinks of Allen Iverson and then I want you to tell me what Ali thinks of Allen Iverson.

This is just a question. I’m sure with all that you read and the tremendous amount of insight that you have on things, it should be easy for you.

I’ve never been an AI fan in my life, I think he’s totally overrated as a basketball player because all he ever did was shoot a lot. His teams never made it anywhere in the playoffs except one year, and that was more likely due to the east being so weak rather than him being a good leader.

Up to this point, I always thought he was in it for himself and all he cared about was money. Especially after he blew up on the Pistons and now wants to play for the Grizzlies (seriously? who the hell wants to play from them?).

However, if he was truly sincere about this, then I do think it was a step in the right direction. I doubt he’ll ever be regarded as a good person, and quite frankly he’s earned it - however this does show signs of him changing a bit.

As for what the media thinks of AI, I’m not quite sure right now, it depends on which analysts you talk to. I think that most would still regard him as a talented player that just didn’t have the right attitude.

However I think that also some of the smarter ones are starting to realize that Iverson may have never been that good to begin with. Especially now that he has to really on his talent since he is no longer more athletic than the opposition.

For instance, people constantly compared him to Jordan at the start of his career. He had a similar skillset, but did everything much faster. Well that’s great, except he never had a solid jumpshot. Here and there you’d see him nail a tough one, but his career FG% numbers clearly disagree that with the idea that he was as talented as Jordon. Further more, he was always a cancer on his team after Larry Brown got fed up with him. Jordan made everyone around him better, I think its safe to say AI made them worse.

So honestly, its a tough call on the media. A lot of AI’s fans are living in the past, back when he showed promise of being able to dominate games. But I’m certain that most of them have learned by now that he’s a tough person to deal with, but on top of that some are realizing that he just is not a player you want on your team as he may have not been all that special in the first place.

I should note that the media never reports on positive things players do, outside of ESPN’s My Wish. People want to find fault with the rich and powerful and don’t care to see philanthropy. So this makes it even harder to really get a good gauge on what kind of character is hidden beneath the thug appearances. You never know, they could be the nicest person you’ve met, or they really could be a thug outside of sports.

For instance, Rasheed likes to visit hospitals and orphangaes, even back in the jailblazer days. However you wouldn’t know it if you just looked at his techs and appearance (especially with the new corn rows, not to mention his speech at Boston pissed me off, but that’s for another time).

The reason I asked you that question Ali, was because although you watched the interview, you actually missed it. You have no idea why he shed those tears.

Here’s something you said to give you a clue. “I doubt he’ll ever be regarded as a good person, and quite frankly he’s earned it”

Good person? What is a good person? Do you have a good person manual that you’re reading from? Did you write it yourself?

What if people said you were a bad person because of how long you write or the fact you read a million articles and listen to the “experts” to build your takes from rather than forming your own opinion from what you see with your own eyes?

Judging players on the court is totally different than judging them off the court. AI was crying because the media has always chosen to focus on negative things rather than the positives.

The interview probably wouldn’t have even made the news if he wasn’t crying. Two kids are getting a great opportunity but the focus is still only on AI.

I hope i didn’t offend you. I wouldn’t want to be looked at as a bad person.

Nice post Deven.

It’s all perception and opinion. :>

It feels good to be back, i was in detroit doing community service all this week. anyone ever heard of spirit of hope parish or sunshine community preschool?

No, I’ve never heard of that particular program Richard. Is this the link for it?http://www.spiritofhopedetroit.org/preschool.html

It looks like a worthy cause. What did you do?

Yea thats it Deven. We made a wall out of cob (sand,clay,straw,water) around a garden built of tires. It’s called an urban garden. It’s to feed people that can’t afford to pay for their own food. It was great we also got to play with the kids (we taught them the cupid shuffle) and help them open their lunches from the government lunch program. In all my group put in 30 hrs (per person). Great place and great people, one of the best weeks of my life.

That’s good for you Richard. Volunteer work usually impacts the person thats doing the volunteering just as much as the people benefiting from your work.

It’s something everyone should do at least once in their life. It’s very rewarding.

How young were the kids?

The reason why I said he earned the rep was because he did skimp out on the team and was reportedly spending the time at the casinos. Also i did include that the media chooses to only point out the bad things about the rich.

You’re probably right about the crying thing, I didn’t pay close attention to what he was actually saying. I just made assumptions based off what I heard at the start.

However I do formulate my own ideas based off what I see, I only bring up articles to give my ideas more validity. Just because I happen to get things right here and there doesn’t mean that I restate what experts say.

The AI thing, I’m okay with, you’re right about that one. On the flip side, I do find that a very ridiculous thing to bring up Deven; you of all people can do better than that.

*the reading thing I find rediculous

More importantly, Summers had another great Summer league game. And just for you to know, I called that Summers would be great on draft day based off I what I saw myself.

Ali, you seem like a pretty intelligent person and for an intelligent person to pass judgment on someone without knowing them or their circumstances, shows a lack of human understanding.

You might find that you step on other peoples toes and end up on the defensive quite often.

I said you read a lot because you once stated that yourself. You said it to justify why you were right about something.

Keep being you Ali. Just know that when you say something out of whack, I’ll challenge you on it. It keeps me from being bored!

Oh and Ali (and all others), I think you need to call in leave your “How I became a Detroit Pistons Fan” message. We need to know that you’re down!

Listen to the beginning of this link http://www.pistonscast.com/podcasts/pistonscast078.mp3

The kids were great, they were 3-5 years old. I miss them already. But now i really understand how difficult life is for people less fortunate than me.

The program i did it through was called Young Neighbors in Action

Yeah Richard, understanding is the key.

I hope Austin Daye understands how important it is for him to gain some muscle weight!

Summers = Jeff Green = Lottery Pick talent = great pistons bench

anyway summers is looking great

We have a less chubby and more explosive Antoine Walker! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gOPVFvif8

And notice who Boston’s unproductive point guard was at that time.

Man I SWEAR i hated Antoine Walker back in the day. He was nothing but a big ass CRYBABY and we usesta boo him out the palace every game!

On another note…heard Affalo on the block to Denver. Think we should go after K-Mart?

Afflaloooooooooo, don’t go. D:

I hated him too but early in his career he his ability was sick!

I think it all went bad for him after his picture was on the cover of NBA Live.

The dreaded curse!

Which Live was that I forgot? Prolly one of the wack ones if it had him on it

It was NBA Live ‘99.

Nowadays Walker’s reduced to playing basketball on Pros vs. Joes with Eddie Jones and Alonzo Mourning.

Yea he did end up sucking. He had a terrible work ethic. But his talent was Good!

Not too many players his size have their own patented crossover move. It was sweet as hell!

Anyway, the reason that i liken Summers to Walker is that they’re both power forwards who’s offensive games display small forward and shooting guard ability.

Just a mismatch waiting to happen!