Allen Iverson

Allen Ezail Iverson (born June 7, 1975 in Hampton, Virginia) is an American professional basketball player. He is an all-star point guard/shooting guard for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association.

Controversy

Iverson has at times been a controversial personality in the NBA. Dating back to his teenage years, Iverson has had some run-ins with the law. A highly controversial issue which almost jeopardised his college basketball career involved his arrest at a bowling alley. Where a fight broke out between white and black members within the alley. Iverson repeated his innocence, but was handed a jail sentence. However, the governer agreed that Iverson was innocent, and overturned the decision. Iverson could never live down the reputation he had gained as, "a bad guy" even during his college years. Malicious rumours were spread throughout his time at Georgetown University. More recent incidents have occured, for example: and incident involving a family party where he allegedly threatened his wife with a handgun, but was later acquitted of the charges. Iverson also attempted to release a rap album named "40 Bars", under the alias "Jewelz". The explicit lyrics of the album caused an uproar in Philadelphia, prompting him to re-title it "Misunderstood", however Iverson eventually scrapped release plans.

Related Topics:
Rap - Philadelphia

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His 30th birthday party went awry on June 7, 2005. He was initially denied entry to his own birthday party (which was held at Garden of Eden Club in Los Angeles) by a bouncer who told him that he couldn't enter because one of President Bush's daughters and the Secret Service were inside the club. (To make the situation look even worse for Iverson, the bouncers admitted former child star Todd Bridges.) When he was Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher, Iverson laughed it off, then successfully played the same prank on another guest, this time keeping Indiana Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal from entering a party. (This prank was aired on MTV, nearly 27 days later on July 3, 2005.)

Related Topics:
June 7 - 2005 - Garden of Eden Club - Los Angeles - President Bush - Daughters - Secret Service - Todd Bridges - Punk'd - Ashton Kutcher - Indiana Pacers - Jermaine O'Neal - MTV - July 3

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The public image of Iverson has drastically changed with his decision to play on the 2004 USA Olympic Team. Many All-Star and headline players who originally agreed backed out, citing excuses such as fear of terrorism, chance of injury, and not enough financial compensation. This left the team with simply himself, Tim Duncan, and LeBron James (who was still a rookie) as the only true "best of the USA" on the team. Iverson's show of national pride and sacrifice has helped improve his public opinion to the outstanding level of his playing.

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