Allen Iverson retired last week Wednesday. His announcement, which was first reported by Stephen A. Smith, fit away conviently amongst Thanksgiving dinners, shopping, and a weekend full of football. But, on Monday morning, after everything has worn off, we’re left to face an NBA without A.I. The Answer has left the building, never to cross-over dribble, take a hard foul, or complain about practice time again (at least until he announces a new deal with a new team). Perhaps Iverson will reunite with Larry Brown, the coach that understood him best. Maybe he will stay retired, and now without David Stern to get in his way, release that Hip Hop album he finished years ago and begin a burgeoning rap career. Maybe he’ll just sit back and chill for minute, as we have over the holiday weekend, reflecting on Allen Iverson and the rest of his 1996 NBA draft class. Iverson wasn’t just a basketball player, but a cultural symbol and indeed a sign of our times. We say peace out to A.I. through this look at some of the other cultural symbols and icons that have also come and gone during the course of his career.
The ’96 Draft Class
When the Philadelphia 76’ers selected Allen Iverson with the first pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, they kicked off what was one of the most potent rookie classes in NBA history. Regular all-stars and MVP candidates Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Ray Allen followed Iverson that day. Also selected in the first round were better than average players such as Peja Stojakovic, Stephon Marbury, Marcus Camby, and Antoine Walker. Iverson walked away from the game after refusing to accept a new role as a backup point guard. He outlasted the likes of Todd Fuller, Shandon Anderson, Jamie Feick and Brian Evans, and it will be interesting to see if this starts a wave of retirement speeches from his peers.
Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis…
The earliest video game representations of the Answer can be traced back to our 16-Bit systems such as Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis, remember those? Iverson also took digital form via the Sega Saturn, Playstation 1, Playstation 2, Nintendo 64, and Neo Geo, most of which have found home in recylcing bins, novelty stores, and basements…
Baseball and Basketball Cards
The trading card industry was in full bloom when Iverson heard his name called on draft-day. I vividly remember working out intricate deals for Arvidas Sabonis and Karl Malone cards throughout the entirety of my 8th grade to Washington D.C. Iverson’s career was just beginning as our bus from Chicago to D.C. crossed into Pittsburgh and I successfully acquired a coveted Grant Hill rookie card from Reggie Stovell for a couple Chris Webber and David Robinson cards, of which I was hiding doubles. If that lingo doesn’t bring up memories for you, then you didn’t indulge in one of America’s favorite past times, or were born shortly after this period in which the rise of Magic and Pokemon cards have robbed millions of kids from buying affordable sports cards, and bush-league players of all sports getting the card treatment…
Wannabes
Remember when this bulls**t came out? Ugly girls with pretty girl best friends all rejoiced, and “Girl Power” was born around the same time as Allen Iverson’s dominance of jersey sales and cornrow references. Also coming and going during this time was a series of poor yet popular dances, Bone Thugs N’ Harmony’s homie, Power P, Snoop’s love affair with No Limit Records, G.Dep and Black Rob, The Brand New Radicals, Rap-Rock and the rebirths of Ska and Swing Music… AI’s rap record doesn’t sound like such a bad idea anymore…
The List Goes On…
Beavis & Butthead, Chris Farley and David Spade buddy flicks, Buddy Lee, Napster, Mortal Kombat… The list of things Iverson’s retirement reminds us of is almost endless, as Iverson retires as one of basketball’s most memorable figures. Thanks for everything A.I., and thank g-d you lasted longer than the Spice Girls.