Iverson & his ex-wife, Tawanna, wanted big family. But the baby u just saw, Tiaura, didn't meet him for 2 wks. He no-showed birth.
AI's childhood was horrific. He grew to dislike night & sleep bc that's when bad things happen. He spent his nights on the courts.
Iverson didn't just dislike school. He hated it. 1 year he argued w/his hoops coach over school absences. AI argued he "only" missed 69 days
Iverson's aversion to #practice goes back a long way. The day before the football state title game, he organized a team walkout.
Iverson, the team's QB/DB, argued with his coach that most of the players were "sick." He refused to practice that day. Started/won anyway.
Moore talks about wanting a "household name." Many people close to AI blame that philosophy for pushing AI toward jail.
Kelly hadn't tried a case in years. Maybe would've been guilty anyway, since he was recognizable, but ppl in Hampton are still divided
The prosecution helped convict Iverson by painting a picture of a pampered athlete who was never made to accept consequences. Became a theme
That night, city was so divided there were marches & protests; one group called a local coach saying they were gonna burn down mayor's house
Iverson was being recruited by Kentucky, Duke, most every hoops school. He was going to Maryland tho. Gary Wms backed away after conviction.
Iverson wanted to play w/Joe Smith, his former AAU teammate, for Terps. Gary said: "You have to look at how your program will be judged."
AI couldn't play organized hoops after being released. But his HS fball coach snuck him into the gym every nite to play w/Hampton U players.
"Hypnotize" is very appropriate for AI. He played Biggie so often his Georgetown roommates destroyed his CDs. He replaced them every time.
Big John didn't like "jackasses" on his team. He drove to the prison & confronted Iverson; got in his face. AI didn't back down. JT LOVED it
Looking back, a lot of ppl close to Iverson think Thompson, who kept that size-16 up his ***, is only coach to ever control AI.
No player had ever left Georgetown early. It was uncommon then, and JT hated that. But AI's sister was born with illness, and his newborn...
...daughter needed support. BTW before he told Thompson he was given a Mercedes, which woulda ended his eligbility anyway.
Until a few days before the draft, Sixers didn't know who they were gonna pick. Had IVERSON and MARBURY jerseys made.
True fact: AI's cornrows started as a bet w/his Reebok liaison, Que Gaskins. Gaskins said: "You better NOT get cornrows." That's all it took
AI learned the crossover from walk-on GT player named Dean Berry. Only player could beat AI to the basket. AI was obsessed w/perfecting it
Croce, Brown were super excited to pair Brown w/Iverson. AI wasn't impressed. He wanted Pitino.
Iverson's 1st agent, David Falk, warned Brown to coach him like JT had: in his face. Brown wouldn't do it. Iverson exploited it.
What did AI say to Brown so often? "Go f*** yourself." Brown jokes now that the title of his memoir should be about getting MFed 1,200 times
AI was so loyal, if that's word, he supported 3 friends, paid his mom's 2 houses & household expenses for 2 uncles, an aunt, their families
A lot of those people wound up burning him. One of those friends sued him; another tried to extort him. That was AI's reward for being loyal
The hottest place in Philly used to be the TGI Friday's on City Line. He went every night, same booth, and drank Corona and played Monopoly.
They kept the place open late, and he got rip-roaring drunk, playing on that Dallas Cowboys Monopoly board. He was always the banker.
Once, at Brown's urging, AI bought a $3K suit and was gonna dress like Mike. His boys gave him hell, & Brown found suit balled up in floor.
The 2000-01 season was reason why ppl loved AI. He worked out, ate ... okay ... and didn't get drunk as much. They built the team around him
Still, his favorite pregame meal was 5 hot dogs just b4 introductions. A Sprite & a bowl of ice cream was all fuel an elite player needed
The Lakers assigned speedy Tyronn Lue to "be" Iverson during practices: crazy shots, drives toward basket. Iverson heard that...
So he dialed up a special FU for Lue, which you just saw. He hated hearing Ron Harper say Lue was faster. Hence the cross/stepover.
That nite Tawanna was in nightshirt & AI wouldn't let her in house. She walked 20 mins & spent the rest of the night on nearby church steps
Iverson was drunk & stalked thru Philly looking for her, gun in waistband. To hotel, to cousin's apt. He threw big rock thru her windshield
Brown and Iverson argued b4 "Practice" rant, and AI disappeared for a few hours. Brown believes he went to a bar, returned very drunk.
GM Billy King, who had the idea for a news conference, thought about jumping in and ending it but how to explain w/out saying he was intox
Doc might not mention but AI's best friend just got murdered. He hit downward spiral. Friends don't see "Practice" as funny but very sad
Glad it's mentioning Rahsaan Langford. This was the crossroads moment for AI. Ppl believe he broke bad after this, was never he same player
Iverson's riches suffered a million tiny cuts, such as Gary Moore getting two $1k-a-game courtside seats, deducted from AI's paycheck.
Every time, AI promised to accept a bench or non-star's role. Every time, he changed his mind and refused to come off the bench.
That house you're seeing right now was foreclosed and eventually sold at auction, because Iverson couldn't/didn't pay the mortgage.
The Sixers return is one of the saddest things about AI. Was supposed to be a goodbye tour. AI saw it as going back to 2001. He didnt get it
He was actually on his best behavior, but he couldn't play anymore. And his daughter had an illness. She asked him to come home.
AI, naturally, missed his flight to Istanbul. The light and music show had to be postponed.
His family promised they were coming, but they never did. Stayed in ATL. AI couldn't take it, so he left Turkey w/nothing else in hand.
90 mins can't possibly capture a character like AI. Good stuff but definitely missing his dark side. No mention of drinking/divorce.