English:
Iverson shows his softer side, but he’s not finished.
HAMPTON
Allen Iverson answered questions Tuesday the same way he’s played basketball for more than 20 years.
Defiantly, emotionally, confidently. With the raw, jagged, genuine edge that makes him one of the sport’s most compelling and controversial characters.
“When you do anything,” Iverson said, “do it with your heart.”
Iverson certainly took his own advice as he returned to his native Peninsula to stage a week’s worth of celebrity and charity events — a four-day basketball camp starts today — designed to fund college scholarships and mentor area youth.
Attacking every topic like he would a vulnerable defender, Iverson discussed his uncertain basketball future — he’s a free agent for the first time in his 13-year pro career — and referenced his checkered past.
He conceded to a big ego and cautioned those “ready to put me in a rocking chair.” He spoke lovingly of his family and wistfully about a former coach.
But one moment trumped all during his hour-long news conference at the Boo Williams Sportsplex.
Hampton High graduates Chris Johnson and Nick Chamblee had just told the audience how grateful they are to receive the first Iverson scholarships, grants that will allow them to further their educations and basketball careers at St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C.
Their words — Johnson said “this takes a huge burden off my family” — appeared to tug at Iverson and prompted a question.
What was going through your mind as two young men thanked you for sending them to college?
Never, not in a locker room or courtroom, not on the basketball court or media stage, have I seen Iverson tear up as he did then. He was speechless for several seconds, and if you watch the video online, you’ll know his sentiment was authentic.
“I don’t need people to praise me for that,” Iverson said as his manager, Gary Moore, patted his shoulder. “God knows what I do, and the person I do it for, they know. That’s the only thing that matters. I ain’t trying to win no popularity contest. You’re never going to be perfect to everybody.”
Iverson mentioned the jail time he served as a teenager for his role in a fight, and the barbs he still hears and that still sting. He talked about developing a thick skin and how “evil” people can be.
But listening to Johnson and Chamblee exposed a gentle side Iverson rarely reveals.
“That’s everything to me,” he said. “Hopefully I can continue to touch more lives.”
He certainly should have the means. Iverson made more than $21 million last season with the Detroit Pistons, and his career earnings far exceed $100 million — before endorsements.
Such is the windfall when you’re a 10-time NBA all-star, former league MVP and arguably the greatest undersized scorer in history.
But Iverson turned 34 last month, and he is not the player he was in 2001, when he averaged 31.1 points, won the MVP and led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals. Moreover, his last two teams, the Pistons and Denver Nuggets, failed to advance past the opening round of the playoffs with him on the roster.
His contract expired July 1, Detroit made no attempt to re-sign him, and other teams have not rushed in with offers. Among those reportedly considering Iverson — the Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies — none is a title contender.
“Only God knows,” Iverson said of his destination next season. “I let my agent handle that.”
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Spanish:
Allen Iverson se echa a llorar hablando con jóvenes jugadores
· Se derrumba cuando habla de la gente que lo ha criticado durante todos estos años · La audiencia eran los chicos acogidos a su programa para compatibilizar baloncesto y estudios
10/07/09 – 11:30.
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Allen Iverson, que podría jugar en los Memphis Grizzlies la próxima campaña, dio muestras de su implicación con los jóvenes en una conferencia con chicos que forman parte de su programa de atención escolar a jóvenes jugadores.
El volátil escolta se echó a llorar en medio de una charla con los chicos, que miraban atónitos cómo la estrella se derrumbaba cuando hablaba de la gente que le ha criticado durante todos estos años.
Atormentado, Iverson reflexionó sobre la excesiva presión que ha sufrido por su comportamiento estos años y no pudo reprimir el llanto. No te pierdas el emocionante vídeo.
Duration : 0:2:55
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
YOU’RE THE BEST A.I.
YOU’RE THE BEST A.I.
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
one of the greatest …
one of the greatest of all time man no team wants him that hurts badley respect A.I
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
???????? ??????????
???????? ??????????
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
He needs to grow up …
He needs to grow up and stop sullying his legacy with his me first attitude. “I’d rather retire than come off the bench”-Iverson Hes too talented to be in memphis in his latter years. But his selfishness has kept great teams away from him.
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Do you know what …
Do you know what the song at the beginning is? Please ‘m begging you.
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
whenever i c him …
whenever i c him cry i wanna cry
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
he is the best in …
he is the best in the nba at what he does
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
whys he crying
whys he crying
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
He is on Memphis !!!
He is on Memphis !!!
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Man i bet he felt …
Man i bet he felt good after that interview……crying feels so gd after your done… u feel so relieved….. Your soul feel so much lighter after crying….. I have so much Respect for u Iverson…..
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
he is the best
he is the best
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
iverson is heading …
iverson is heading to bobcats,reuniting with coach larry brown once again !! ^^
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
He is going to …
He is going to Charlotte with Larry Brown
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
yuck
yuck
November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
haha no dought. as …
haha no dought. as much as i like derek fisher, they just need a new point gaurd and no1 can stop them
November 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Allen you are a …
Allen you are a handsome man & even more beautiful on the inside… not because you’re crying on camera… but because you care so deeply! God definitely chose you, so stay blessed & continue to be as precious as you are to your loved ones & fans. Much love from me to you AI.
November 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am
NEXT TO JORDAN …
NEXT TO JORDAN PERIOD!
November 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am
iverson i still …
iverson i still think your the next best next to kobe and jordan
November 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Respect you man
Respect you man
November 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Or to Olympiakos.. …
Or to Olympiakos.. :S
November 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Maybe with Miami..
Maybe with Miami..
November 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am
please iverson sign …
please iverson sign with the lakers!!!!!!!
starting 5:
pg-allen iverson
sg-kobe bryant
sf-lamar odom
pf-pau gasol
c-andrew bynum
November 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Iverson Gonna Sign …
Iverson Gonna Sign wif knicks (supposedly)
November 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am
y would detroit …
y would detroit his career up like tht they should have just left him in denver he was good there man they had to it up he is a ledgend i feel bad for him
November 30th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Evil world. Only …
Evil world. Only an evil person would make such a statement.