Not too long ago I had a conversation with a prominent photographer and video director (more on this coming soon), and something I asked him was if he thought heart could overshadow a lack of talent. He preached balance. He said that without talent heart is useless and vice versa; however, those that excel possess both aspects.

I couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately there’s only so much talent you can pack into a 6′0″, 165 pound body (generously speaking). That is where Allen Iverson’s heart took over. The Answer had the skill to set him apart but let’s face it, he was a little guy playing a big man’s game. Heart (along with that ridiculous crossover) earned Allen Iverson MVP awards and NBA scoring titles. Battling through broken tailbones, numerous shoulder dislocations, broken thumbs, hip pointers, and a few elbow contusions (if I recall, AI was the first guy to break out the now common padded arm sleeve in the NBA) Iverson slashed through the lane with wreckless abandon among the trees.  He was Dwyane Wade before Dwyane Wade.

Reebok somehow snatched this kid up after he was rocking Jordans during his days at Georgetown.  I’d be willing to bet that the peak of Reebok’s sneaker sales was the peak of Allen Iverson’s popularity.  He was the cornrow wearing, tattoo having, thug that the corporate NBA was scared of.  The people embraced his game though, and along with his game came his merchandise.  I remember every year during opening day I would try and catch replay after replay to get a glimpse of what the new Allen Iverson sneaker looked like.  He was Michael Jordan after Michael Jordan…and let’s not forget what he did to Michael Jordan.

When I talked about doing a tribute post to AI a friend asked me, “Is it going to include how overrated he is?”  Overrated? He’s a franchise player and we in here talking about overrated? Not underrated, not appreciated, we talking about overrated?….Impossible.  This is the kid who led his Bethel High School football team to a state title while assuming the role of arguably the best dual threat QB to (n)ever play college football.  This is the kid that went to Georgetown, won 2 Big East Defensive POY awards, and ended up leaving school early as the leading scoring in Georgetown history.  This is the kid that was taken with the 1st pick in the 1996 NBA Draft and went on to win the ROY award in a landslide.  This is the kid that butted heads with one of the most prolific head coaches in NBA history and won.  This is the MAN that single handedly lead the Philadelphia 76ers to an NBA Finals.  Did I mention his best role player was Aaron McKie? No shots. This is the MAN that took Tyronn Lue’s ankles and pride; and then laughed about it….

ALLEN IVERSON CREATED THE CROSSOVER ALLEN IVERSON CREATED THE CROSSOVER ALLEN IVERSON CREATED THE CROSSOVER ALLEN IVERSON CREATED THE CROSSOVER

Let’s be honest, AI hails from the notorious 757 so did we really expect anything less than a controversial, freakish athlete with an entirely too large (uh huh uh…) ego?  Did we really expect for him to willingly accept a diminished role and minutes when all he knows is to be the most deadly scorer in the game?  I’m sad that his career is going to end this way, in NBA exile.  No one willing to take a chance on a quality player because of chemistry issues.  I can dig it though, but when all is said and done…fans will remember the excitement he brought to the game, coaches will remember the fear that he instilled in their teams, and I pray that the Hall of Fame Committee will remember what a prominent player he was.

He leaves the game as the 17th leading scorer in NBA history, and one of the only players to average 25 ppg, 5 assists, and 2 steals over his career.  The only thing he never accomplished?  A ring.  Add AI to the list of greats that never fully accomplished greatness; a truly sad story.

On this Thanksgiving Day, I’d like to say that I’m thankful for growing up and being able to enjoy Allen Iverson and his career.

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