As he walks up the stairs and into the room
As he walks up the stairs and into the room, he does not announce himself, and it’s not out of disrespect. Everything about him introduces him instead: The self-assured strut, the puffy jacket-sweatpants combo, and especially the silver necklace with the letters “AI” encrusted with enough ice to stop global warming, You can visit website spelled out just in case someone asks for ID.
After 24,368 points scored, roughly 10 years since his retirement and 46 years on Planet Earth, not much has changed. So if you don’t know who Allen Iverson was or is by now, you never will.
And you’d be in the minority. Just hours earlier, Iverson sat inside the Cleveland Westin Hotel restaurant with a knife and fork. On the other side of the window, out in the street, oblivious to Iverson, was a boy, maybe 10 years old, white kid, who saw Iverson and freaked. Now keep in mind he wasn’t even born when Iverson crossed up Michael Jordan … or stepped over Ty Lue … or showed up at the 2001 All-Star Game in cornrows. And yet the boy, trying and failing to get Iverson’s attention, finally took a selfie anyway of him next to Iverson’s back. Iverson took another bite.
Once up the stairs and inside the room, and while surrounded by a group of about eight people who arrived with him — Iverson still rarely goes anywhere in public alone — Iverson plops on the sofa and cordially says: “Whattaya wanna know?” website
He was in Cleveland to take his rightful place among the greats. This was last month at the NBA All-Star Game, where Iverson received one of the loudest ovations when the 75th Anniversary Team was announced at halftime. Iverson enjoyed himself all weekend, mainly because he was back in the basketball loop, and the loop still loved him. He made an appearance for Hennessy. He went mic-to-mic with Tracy McGrady in a Verzuz battle. He hawked Reebok, the shoe company he once carried on his back, much like the Sixers for a decade.
What set Iverson apart from other members of the 75th was his loyalty — to himself, to the flock of fans that emulated him, to the generation of players inspired by him. Put it this way: There were two members of the 75th who looked uncomfortable in those navy blue blazers given to each. Dennis Rodman, naturally, tossed his aside. Iverson respectfully kept his on the entire time, but it seemed … out of place.
