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Dying For His Cause
Written by Jeff Fox   
Wednesday, 25 November 2009 19:00

allen_iverson

So Allen Iverson has decided to take his ball and go home.  In case you haven't heard, The Answer is expected to announce his retirement soon.  I'd hate to say I told you so, but I told you so - this is what happens when a star isn't willing to recognize when their skills are deteriorating with age.

While I hardly expect this to really be the last we see of AI - he is still too young, relatively healthy and competitive to not give the NBA another go sometime in the future - but at this point we'll assume that he is legitimately retiring from the NBA for good.  While it is rather unnecessary and bullheaded of him quitting on the game, you do have to commend him for sticking to his guns and principles.  Iverson still felt like he was a star and worthy of being treated that way.  Unfortunately for him 30 NBA teams had a different opinion.  So rather than conform to the popular opinion, Iverson - as he is known to do - went his own way.  And he should be commended for that.  Not for the fact that he isn't willing to age gracefully and embrace a more "team-oriented" persona, but rather for sticking to his guns.

iverson_348_050220 

It really shouldn't come as a surprise when stars are unwilling to accept lesser roles or retire before they tarnish their images.  To be successful in athletics you have to have a bit of an ego and a strong sense of self.  Athletes face enormous odds to make it to the "bigs" and come across countless doubters and naysayers on their way up who aren't shy to tell them that they aren't going to make it.  Especially a player like Allen Iverson, whose height and slight frame made his chances of making it to the NBA even slimmer than most.  Iverson didn't listen to the doubters back then, so why would we expect him to do so now?  Iverson felt he was still a NBA star, and if no one believed him then to hell with them.  Iverson felt like he should still be a starter, and if Detroit and Memphis didn't feel the same way then to hell with them. 

So we come to an unfortunate but predictable ending (perhaps) to the Allen Iverson saga.  Let's not forget the important impact he left on and off the court as he snatched the torch from Michael Jordan's hand and led the NBA into a new era.  And for fans of his, it should be comforting to know that even in his NBA death he is as unconforming as ever.

 

 

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