I have to qualify everything by saying I really don't know what's going on with Allen Iverson. Us writers and fans tend to go berserk on every meager scrap of information, and really, maybe we don't know the rest of the story. At face value, Iverson's retirement by Grizz tantrum depresses me. I don't want to see him go out on such a low note.
Iverson's particular mixture of skills and personality may not fit in anywhere. Math and history show that he's an iffy choice when brewing a contender. But: I watch the NBA to see those guys who can do something that no one else can do. No one else is Allen Iverson. Maybe he will ruin a team's efficiency, but I still smile when he obliterates a defender like only he can.
As I write this it's sounding like he may lace 'em up again soon. I hope he does. People are arguing about whether he'll actually be able to help the Sixers. The Sixers will not be contenders, with or without Iverson. Fans of that squad won't like this: I really don't care whether they win this or that many games. But I would like to watch Iverson play.
---JOSH
P.S. A long time ago I saw an Ahmad Rashad interview with Iverson, and as the show was winding down they were talking about what he likes to do away from the court. And A.I. said that he likes to draw, and broke out pencils and crayons to whip up a caricature on the spot. Maybe that's part of why I like him? Does anyone have more information on Iverson as visual artist?
