Written By Sports Writer
Kevin Covington

Iverson

1996 was one of the greatest years for the NBA. It wasn’t because that was the year the Chicago Bulls went 72-10 and won the NBA Finals against the now relocated Seattle SuperSonics. It was because of the annual draft held every June. That draft featured the likes of Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Jermaine O’Neal and Peja Stojakovic. But the number one overall pick was “The Answer” Allen Iverson.

Allen Iverson, was born June 7th, 1975 in Hampton, Virginia. He played basketball and football while in high school. He starred for two seasons at Georgetown University and is considered one of the greatest Hoyas ever to play for the school. He left early to enter the NBA draft and was selected first in the draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He had a great career with the 76ers, leading them to an NBA Finals appearance, winning an MVP, several All-Star appearances and All-NBA teams.

He became frustrated with the 76ers and felt it was time for a change. Iverson was traded to the Denver Nuggets in December 2006 and teamed up with Carmelo Anthony. They became an explosive force in the West, but never made it to the top or even the Western Conference Finals. At the beginning of the 2008 season he was traded to the Detroit Pistons, resulting in a disastrous ordeal for Piston fans. He was called a “cancer” and a bad influence on the young Piston players. He was let go in the off-season and signed with the up-and-coming Memphis Grizzles. The move left NBA fans scratching their heads and wondering why they signed a player that would disrupt the development of young stars like O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay, and Mike Conley. He was let go a few games later and announced his retirement.

Then his old team, the 76ers called him back and wanted him to return. Iverson is currently playing for the 76ers and trying to save his career.

Iverson has had a number of controversies in his life. When he was 17 he was involved in a racially charged altercation at a bowling alley in Virginia. Iverson was convicted, but the decision was overturned. He was criticized for missing practices and had a rant, which featured the word “practice” 24 times. He was involved in several other incidents including a public urination in Atlantic City. Also, in another Atlantic City casino he was involved in an accident were he was overpaid in chips and didn’t want to give them back.

Iverson is one of the many faces of the NBA, and one of the most recognizable. He will likely make his way to Springfield as Hall of Famer one day, even with all the controversies.