The Legacy of Allen Iverson: The Misunderstood Superstar

When you hear the name Allen Iverson, what do you think? Do you envision his crazy, off-balanced shots that cut through the net perfectly, or do you see a thuggish rebel in a baggy blue uniform, with cornrows on his head and tattoos covering his body?

Do you see one of the best to ever play basketball? The owner of the sickest crossover in history? Do you see a six foot man who willed his sub-par team to the NBA Finals in 2001?

Or do you see him from the other side of the spectrum? Is he an overrated superstar who refuses to practice? Is he a gangster who likes to hit women with chairs? Is he the wannabe rapper who hangs out with gangsters like Nelly and 50 Cent?

When I hear the name Allen Iverson, one word comes to my mind: misunderstood.

Sure he is one of the best basketball players of all time. Sure he lost control of his life at the beginning of this century. Maybe he is the owner of the third highest scoring average of all time. Maybe he did assault that woman, but the case was never proven, and he was never convicted.

When judging a person we should not look at what he does for a living, and we should not constantly hold on to the mistakes the person made in the past.

Allen Iverson is not only a basketball player. He is definitely not a gangster. He is just a normal person who happened to be thrust into the spotlight before he was mature enough to handle instant celebrity. He is a human being just like you and me.

Most people who have branded Iverson with the "THUG" tag do not know that each year he gives millions of dollars away to his charitable foundation, called Crossover Promotions. Most critics do not know that in 2004, Iverson won the NBA's Community Assist award.

I think that before we brand someone something, we should look at the other side. There are always two sides to a story and a person. It is not our job to judge him either: it's God's job. Our job is to sit back, watch him play, and enjoy the show.