Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 9:00 am  |  120 responses

Allen Iverson Responds to Alcohol, Gambling Allegations

by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Longtime Philadelphia columnist Stephen A. Smith of the Inquirer dropped something of a bombshell this weekend, essentially claiming that (according to his sources), Allen Iverson is more or less an alcoholic, with gambling issues to boot.

Given A.I.’s well-chronicled love of the nightlife (and casinos in particular), this was not exactly a shocking revelation.

With everything that’s been happening in his life of late — the loss of his job as an NBA player, the divorce filed by his wife, and the illness of his daughter — Iverson felt compelled to issue some kind of statement.

He did late last night, via the Twitter machine:

To my fans: You all know that my life isn’t perfect. I am going through some very tough times right now, like I am sure that we all do from time to time. However, I will stand tall like always with “rhino” thick skin.

Even though I have become used to hearing people say things about me that aren’t true, it still hurts. I encourage you to continue your ongoing support and I want you to trust that this is another obstacle in my life that, with God’s help I will overcome. God Bless You All.

Hours after the tweets were posted, I read a couple of misguided pieces on the web, in which the authors complained that Iverson chose to respond via Twitter, as though he somehow owes the world a larger explanation for what he’s currently going through.

Allen Iverson’s problems — whether they’re as serious as the media claims, or whether some things that have been written and said about him are untrue as he claims — are his, and his alone. What he chooses to share with the outside world isn’t really for us to critique.

One can only hope he eventually pulls through.

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  • http://shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ Tariqُُ

    MikeC:
    Winning IS important. But I equate “winning” with having post-season success. That’s why I see a guy like Jason Kidd as having “won,” while Nash hasn’t. Kidd has won in the playoffs. He has reached the Finals. The fact that he hasn’t actually won a ring doesn’t mean he’s a “fringe” HOF. Kidd is a LOCK. So is Iverson. Nash is a “fringe” HOFer for precisely the reason you mentioned.

  • http://shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ Tariqُُ

    Dirk Nowitzki is also a lock for the HOF.

  • http://fdksjlf.com Jukai

    360vue: That is NOT what Spanny is talking about. I already mentioned the fact that Greece didn’t exist back then but it was still considered ancient greece, and Spanny ‘scoffed’ at that notion. The dude tried to pull a fast one and now he’s caught with his hands down his pants.
    After all, he said ‘if you called Plato Greek, he’d punch you’ but GREECE DiDN’T EXIST BACK THEN!!!!!
    He’s just an idiot 360vue. He’s making up being a history major too. I think he was a basketball coach or something five months ago. This is what Spanny does. I just thought it was funny calling him out for it.

  • http://fdksjlf.com Jukai

    FoCo: Historical teachings on ancient civilizations are generally the same worldwide. That’s why it’s called “history.” Two different nations wont have different history.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Jaay

    @Mike C: You had no respond for the 97 ROY, the 11 All-Star selections, 7 All-NBA selections, 4 Scoring titles, The MVP year was one of the best individual seasons in NBA history. Iverson had no help in his prime if he had Shaq he would probably win a ring too. Again check this AI is top 25 all-time: http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/hof_prob_career.html

  • http://www.euroleague.net/competition/all-decade/main-page/i/65216/4259/euroleague-all-decade-candidate-dimitris-diamantidis?lang=en&itemid=65216&mid=4259&tabid=1143&itemname=EUROLEAGU DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name)

    “…..That’s why it’s called “history.” Two different nations wont have different history….” man, and then you tell me you ain’t doing it intentionally….(this was one for the ages though, one of your best ones.thanks again. looking forward to the time your biggest brother starts contributing “wisdom” also!!! Lucky parents !!!!)

  • MikeC.

    @Jaay – I’m enjoying the debate. Everybody else just said “hater” and gave no reasoning for their opinion. Debates are fun when both sides articulate points of view. Nicely done. Anyway, as things currently stand, the HOF standards have the bar set low enough for Iverson to get in. There’s no way they won’t vote him in because other players with less impressive career numbers have gotten in. I don’t take ROY into consideration too much unless it’s just sprinkles on a cake made of winning since there have been a few ROY winners that flamed out pretty fast. Iverson’s scoring titles have a bit of a stink on them, as well as the “he had no help” argument. Iverson scored so much because he didn’t have anyone else to help, but the teams he played on were built to maximize his strengths (speed, binge scoring and jumping in the passing lanes on D) and hide his weaknesses (willingness to pass, run an offense, play real D). I don’t ever buy the “he had no help card” for any player because it’s too easy to play that card for anyone that didn’t win. Ewing didn’t win because he had no help. Barkley didn’t win because he had no help until it was too late. As far as AI playing with Shaq, that wouldn’t have worked since Shaq needs someone to pass him the ball. Not exactly AI’s strong suit. I think the HOF needs to restructure its rankings and have levels. Top-floor would be guys that had great stats and won. Ex. Jordan, Duncan, Russel, etc. Next floor would be guys that either had great stats and didn’t win, like Iverson, Ewing, Nique, Stockton-to-Malone etc, or guys that might not have had eye-popping stats, but won so much that they have to get HOF status like Pippen, Rodman, etc. Halls of Fame should be reserved for the best of the best, unless they find a way to differentiate between different classes of player.

  • http://fdksjlf.com Jukai

    What’s amazing is after all these months, Spanny is still too scared to debate me after I obliterated him last time. Sad, sad, sad.

  • MikeC.

    @Jukai – your 5:28 post is a bit misleading. History tends to be written by the winners. I’m betting the Native Indians of North America have a different version of how they lost their lands than what the history books would have us believe. I’m also guessing that some of the anti-American nations around the world teach a different version of American history (if they teach it at all) than is taught in American schools. I get your point about history being history and that, if logic is applied, the history would be the same across the board. I don’t know a great deal about Greek history but I actually have a Bachelor’s Degree in history and the main thing I took away from my studies is that everybody has a different version of events and the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

  • http://fdksjlf.com Jukai

    MikeC: Yer right, that was a bit misleading. I was focusing more on ancient history, outside of national bias.

  • the nerve

    he was born in the hood and with that comes all of his surroundings also habits most of the time when we have fun we were all tipsy theres other players out there who have done worse and how come his time in the spotlight wasn’t as long as all the people he is better then? Neglect

  • http://www.euroleague.net/competition/all-decade/main-page/i/65216/4259/euroleague-all-decade-candidate-dimitris-diamantidis?lang=en&itemid=65216&mid=4259&tabid=1143&itemname=EUROLEAGU DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name)

    @Mike C….: 5:28 post is typical but at the same time ‘great’(like Lebron having a 33/8/9 game).I know the kid, trust me on this.

  • http://www.euroleague.net/competition/all-decade/main-page/i/65216/4259/euroleague-all-decade-candidate-dimitris-diamantidis?lang=en&itemid=65216&mid=4259&tabid=1143&itemname=EUROLEAGU DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name)

    enough with the “jukaitavoris family” and their history science deficiencies….check what did j.r.smith did yesterday night…..C- R- A- Z- Y.

  • newfieflames

    MAN A.I leaves the NBA it sucks he was an amazing player and it really sucks for him he dont got no ring! and he deserves one but the ruff times hes going through i dont think hes coming back to the NBA – come back A.I

  • Rikson

    MikeC 6:42 – cosign. Great post…

  • tavoris

    @MikeC(and Rikson)-Jerry West won ONE NBA title. Had he not won any, how would you evaluate his career? look at his numbers and get back to me on that…

    @Greek Guy-why are u mentioning my name? I’ve been absent from this discussion. pathetic.

  • tavoris

    I’m not saying that AI should be as revered as The Logo…but the jacked up criteria that people try to come up with to exclude players they don’t like is ridiculous (and short-sighted). The system is the way it is…live with it.

    If its any consolation, his legacy will probably get ignored at first just like Nique’s did. Find comfort in that.

  • http://www.euroleague.net/competition/all-decade/main-page/i/65216/4259/euroleague-all-decade-candidate-dimitris-diamantidis?lang=en&itemid=65216&mid=4259&tabid=1143&itemname=EUROLEAGU DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name)

    @tavorisjukai…..: yeah right…

  • Shem

    where did it go wrong? get well

  • Pat Hopkins

    Stephen A. Smith is a snake. You made you name on Allen. He always gave you the scoop before anyone else and you have thrown him under the bus. Whether your allegations are true or not you should of just kept you mouth shut. Just remember snake what goes around come around.

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