AA for AI?

Future looks bleak for Iverson
Philadelphia Inquirer

It's been a bad month for Allen Iverson, but it seems his future could be even worse. In late February, Iverson left Sixers indefinitely to tend to his sick daughter. Two weeks later, it was announced he wouldn't return to the team. And just as soon as his professional life crumbled, so did his personal life when his wife filed for divorce last week.

But in a bombshell report from friend and former Sixers beat writer, Stephen A. Smith, Iverson also has problems with alcohol and gambling. "If numerous NBA sources are telling the truth -- and there's no reason to believe they'd do otherwise in a situation of this magnitude -- Iverson will either drink himself into oblivion or gamble his life away."

Given the option between drinking himself into oblivion or gambling his life away I think Allen Iverson would probably choose both. Why does he have to do one or the other? In a way though I feel bad for Iverson. I know a lot of his problems are probably created by him and his long track record of shaky behavior but it must hurt to have your "friends" on TV talking about you instead of talking to you. I hope for his sake if he is in trouble someone who genuinely cares about him will get him some help but I get the impression during his "entourage" days he build a cast of friends who only wanted a piece of his pie.

Here's his last Twitter message:

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.

I'm sure Iverson is in denial but lets not forget that Stepehen A. Smith likely enabled and defended his past behavior and now wants to ride AI's demise for another 15 minutes of fame. But lets try to remember AI when he was on top. Let's talk about practice!