“I don’t even have money for a cheeseburger” - Allen Iverson :damn:

[gho3st]

PHILADELPHIA — Less than an hour before the 8 p.m. tipoff, Philadelphia 76ers employees are scurrying around the Wells Fargo Center, hoping this Saturday night unfolds as planned.

It’s late March, and the team is handing out Allen Iverson bobblehead dolls. Iverson himself is scheduled to attend, a rare public appearance for the 37-year-old former NBA superstar. He’ll be introduced during a pregame ceremony and then watch the game from Sixers chief executive Adam Aron’s suite. But Iverson isn’t here yet, and a troubling rumor is passing through the arena’s arteries: Iverson has missed his flight.

“He’ll be on time,” Aron says assuredly. “That’s all that matters.”

Three years after Iverson’s last NBA game, the spotlight has shifted from his play to his flaws. His refusal back then to play by society’s rules was seen as an independent player’s quirks, part of the character and the brand, same as his cornrows and tattoos.

Practicing with hangovers added to the legend. Skipping team functions and refusing to obey the league’s dress code was a man who wouldn’t be held down. And embarrassing defenders on the way to the basket, in the NBA and before that at Georgetown, was a nightly statement by the 6-foot, 165-pound guard: If a man, no matter his size, is determined enough, he can get the better of giants.

But Iverson isn’t a basketball player anymore. This is something most everyone but Iverson has accepted, and for years a question worried those closest to him: What happens when the most important part of a man’s identity, the beam supporting the other unstable matter, is no longer there?

For the past three years, as Iverson chased an NBA comeback, his marriage fell apart and much of his fortune – he earned more than $150 million in salary alone during his career – dissolved. Now, those who once ignored past signals have recognized that basketball may have been the only thing holding Iverson’s life together.

“He has hit rock bottom, and he just hasn’t accepted it yet,” says former Philadelphia teammate Roshown McLeod.

A few minutes before 8 o’clock, a black Suburban pulls into the players’ parking lot. At 7:59, the passenger door opens, and Iverson climbs out, shouting profanity. Then he notices Aron, who wraps his arms around Iverson. They walk toward the entrance, Iverson still shouting, for one more night under the lights.

“God gave him this great gift,” says Pat Croce, the former Sixers executive who selected Iverson first overall in the 1996 NBA draft. “But you knew one day, he was going to take it away.”

‘I worry about him’

Iverson stood during a divorce proceeding in Atlanta in 2012 and pulled out his pants pockets. “I don’t even have money for a cheeseburger,” he shouted toward his estranged wife, Tawanna, who then handed him $61.

The scene showed a stark side of a man who had captivated crowds, pushed boundaries, and became one of the NBA’s biggest stars. He did things his way, on his schedule, speaking honestly during news conferences and snubbing the professional sports establishment. Crowds connected with Iverson, who’d succeeded despite physical limitations and mistakes, such as a felony conviction at 18 for his role in a bowling-alley brawl in Hampton, Va., his home town.

Allen Iverson, NBA icon, struggles with life after basketball - The Washington Post

 

[OGmittee]

Ha what a loser!

and i was a fan of his when he was in the league..

 

[ThugLife]

 

[GoFlipAPack]

No remorse for him. He should have planned for this. Oh well.

 

[Handsback]

I used to be a fan too.

Like the article said it just seems like basketball is all dude will ever had. Kind of sad that without that dude's life fell apart. I just don't have that great of an imagination to be able to think how you can blow 150 million in salary and way more from endorsements.

I don't see it ending well. Not like it's going great right now anyways. Really wouldn't be surprised to see dude end up homeless or killing himself.

 

[DStyles]

Don't feel bad for him neither any athlete that goes broke because of their own stupidity

You know white people get money don’t spend it
Or maybe they get money, buy a business
I rather buy 80 gold chains and go ig’nant

Cabs spend that money viciously

 

[ExodusNirvana]

Ivo has millions and there's a reason why he can't touch it yet. THIS is why.

 

[*Hulks Up*]

It's been a bad year for former Hoyas.

 

[Kaydigi]

Dude needs to start coaching some highschool ball.

 

[Marvel]

Dude needs to start coaching some highschool ball.

Do you think he would show up to practice?

 

[*Hulks Up*]

Enjoying this downfall is going to be bittersweet. So conflicted....

 

[Marvel]

No way one man can blow that much money himself. His boys, agent, lawyers, accountants, and wifey were more than likely robbing him blind. I'm sure they had access to his bank accounts, credit and debit cards.

 

[thaKEAF]

I'm a fan but it is what it is.

I especially was like when I saw the 30 for 30 episode where he was like "Man fukk that shyt get me out of here!" when dude tried to hand him the Autobiography of Malcolm, X.

 

[thaKEAF]

No way one man can blow that much money himself. His boys, agent, lawyers, accountants, and wifey were more than likely robbing him blind. I'm sure they had access to his bank accounts, credit and debit cards.

I dunno leaving all your balling gear and clothes in each hotel for every road game and just buying new shyt when you hit each city from 1996-2010 plus gambling plus buying crazy shyt.

 

[Good Guy Guevara]

Doesn't he have millions in a IRA account or something?