(8)Traces the personal life and basketball career of the high-scoring rookie with the Philadelphia 76ers, Allen Iverson.
(22)Part sports star, part antihero, part hip-hop icon, Allen Iverson has managed to cross over into the mainstream of American culture -- without compromise. Defiantly tattooed, with his hair in cornrows, the six-foot Philadelphia 76ers point guard is one of the most recognizable and controversial stars of the sports world. His meteoric rise from a troubled childhood in the ghetto to NBA superstardom has been marked by five straight playoff appearances, including a finals berth in 2001 and an MVP award. From his rap sheet to his rap album, fans and journalists alike hound his every move. But never before has a biographer presented a full portrait of this complicated and intensely private star -- a man whose loyalty to his family, the streets, and his friends trumps any other concern. Filled with exclusive interview material and unprecedented access to many of Iverson's inner circle, Only the Strong Survive is the first in-depth look at the truth behind this newly minted legend.
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(1)ABOUT THE BOOK
p>To many, however, Allen Iverson is more enigmatic than his moniker implies. He represents a host of other conflicting things: talented, troubled, enigmatic, self-destructing, benevolent, and kind.
So who is Iverson, exactly? When looking at the landscape of current NBA players, through the patina of black tattoo ink and sometimes outlandish hairstyles, it’s easy to forget that A.I. was the one who started it all. Body art is almost a prerequisite in today’s game. Back in 1996, however, people didn’t know what to make of the kid from Bethel High School in small-town Hampton, VA. He was a bad boy and bad news for a league that was in an awkward transition phase and wondering what to do next after the retirement of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who were the relatively wholesome poster boys of the previous generation.
In comes Iverson, with his cornrows, baggy shorts, and hip hop style that alienated some fans and endeared others. Looking back, the whole situation was paradoxical in nature: One the one hand, here was a player who had an outward appearance and off the court antics that were off-putting to the old- timer fans and players. On the other hand, his style of play was actually a throwback to the old-timers’ era. His selflessness and disregard for his body or injury was unparalleled by his that of his contemporaries. He was more Larry Bird than Larry Johnson.
EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK
Iverson crossed over once on His Airness, creating a bit of space. If the play ends there, it’s already a moment for the highlight reel, regardless of how the 76’ers possession ends. But Iverson wasn’t done yet, as that first crossover dribble was just a teaser. He crossed over again, making Jordan look downright foolish, left standing about four feet out of position. He helplessly watched as the diminutive rookie point guard pulled up to make the jump shot as time expired on the shot clock.
The announcers were thrilled, if not exuberant, and a few hoop geeks noted the play as a subtle ushering in of the proverbial “new guard” (no pun intended). The play may be legendary, but it’s worth noting that there was relatively little fanfare at the time. This was pre-YouTube and a different era that preceded the 24-hour news cycle.
Love him or hate him, Allen Iverson—the Answer—had arrived. He was not going to be just a flash in the pan, a spark on the horizon of the Roy Tarpley variety that would fall prey to his own demons. That late-winter evening was the exclamation point on an impressive rookie season, a moment that let the world know that A.I.’s ability to polarize basketball fans was matched only by his otherworldly talent.
The remainder of his career would follow a similar arc: an MVP award (2001), several scoring titles, and a NBA Finals appearance peppered by run-ins with coaches, a failed rap career, a marijuana arrest, and, most recently, financial ruin (after earning $154 million over the course of his playing days). For every on-court feat, there seemed to be two eyebrow-raising incidents that placed you on either the “love” or “hate” side.
All of which brings us back to The Question: will history be kind to the Answer? In terms of measurables, the most definitive metric would be entrance into the Hall of Fame. The sports world is littered with players whose eligibility was questionable because of a sour public image (see: Lawrence Taylor, former NFL linebacker).
This isn’t a fair stance, but sports writers—i.e. the voters—are only human and sometimes let personal opinions get in the way. Simply put: Iverson should be accepted into the Hall of Fame when he files for retirement from the NBA and the requisite time has passed to be eligible for enshrinement.
To paint the picture in more broad strokes, it needs to be said: he should be remembered as one of the best to play the game. Not
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This Level 3 reader gets up front and personal about Philadelphia 76er Allen Iverson. The book opens with a chapter on Iverson's childhood and tracks his rise to superstardom.
(22)Part sports star, part antihero, part hip-hop icon, Allen Iverson has managed to cross over into the mainstream of American culture -- without compromise. Defiantly tattooed, with his hair in cornrows, the six-foot Philadelphia 76ers point guard is one of the most recognizable and controversial stars of the sports world. His meteoric rise from a troubled childhood in the ghetto to NBA superstardom has been marked by five straight playoff appearances, including a finals berth in 2001 and an MVP award. From his rap sheet to his rap album, fans and journalists alike hound his every move. But never before has a biographer presented a full portrait of this complicated and intensely private star -- a man whose loyalty to his family, the streets, and his friends trumps any other concern. Filled with exclusive interview material and unprecedented access to many of Iverson's inner circle, Only the Strong Survive is the first in-depth look at the truth behind this newly minted legend.
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(1)At 6 feet tall and 165 pounds (maybe), Allen Iverson was the smallest first-overall draft pick in the history of the National Basketball Association. Everyone wanted to know if he could survive in NBA’s land of big men. By the end of his debut season, he had set records and earned awards such as NBA Rookie of the Year. Allen proved that not only could he survive in the NBA, but that he could come out on top as well. Although he has been criticized for his "bad boy" image, Allen has been working to overcome that without severing his ties to his past and who he is. Controversy? It follows Allen. But, no one can debate the contribution he has made to the NBA.
Allen Iverson has won the Rookie of the Year. He has been voted as a starter of the All-Star game five straight times and awrded the MVP of twice. He has scored 50 or more points six times. His scoring average in the NBA Playoffs ranks second to Micheal Jordan. And he has done it all for one team, the Philadelphia Sixers. He is the best scoring point guard to play the game. This book will take you on a journey through his career and, using the screen-grab process, show you exactly how he does each of his pantented moves.
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