Return of Allen Iverson

As a kid, the manga "Slam Dunk" was the reason why I started liking basketball... Michael Jordan was the reason I started to love basketball... Allen Iverson was the reason I loved the 76ers. Allen Iverson was the reason I kept watching the NBA after Jordan was gone.

He was just like MJ... 40 point games... 50 point games... all the while being barely 6 foot and 160 pounds. He was an athlete that defined a generation. He was rebellious and defiant. He defied tradition and conformity. He did things his way. He played his hardest when it mattered... But was chill and laid back when it did not. He wore his heart on his sleeve and said whatever that came to his mind and did not care about the consequences. Allen Iverson was the ultimate hip hop athlete and we all either loved him for it or hated him for it.

As a teenager, I always believed that I didn't need to do things the way adults told me to do it. I will do it my way and learn it my way. I didn't care if it took me longer to do something or learn something... I will listen eventually if it is actually the best way... But I don't want to be simply be told that. I want to find out myself. I think that was how collectively my generation generally thought through things. Iverson was the same way... That's why we loved him so much. This is how we wanted to grow up. Through trial and error instead of just listening to what others tell us.

While Iverson was on top of his game. He made us believe that it is okay to be defiant and be different. You can be the scoring champ, Leagu MVP, and lead your team to the NBA finals while being a man among giants and while being disliked. You can be yourself and still succeed in the highest level. You don't have to be Michael Jordan... You don't have to be the picture perfect idol that always say the right things and act the way others want you to act. It is okay to act the way you want...

Then... of course I and my generation grew up and started fitting into the norms of the society... Gone are the baggy jeans, big t-shirts, jerseys, and timbs, and saying and doing whatever we wanted with little regard of adults... Here comes the suits and ties and saying and acting the right way...

Perhaps it is fitting the Allen Iverson never won a championship... Since people like Iverson are not supposed to achieve the ultimate success. The knight in the shinning armor and snow-white horses like Michael Jordan are supposed to... But... for a generation that loves our villains more than our heros... That is exactly why we love Iverson so much, especially for the people of Philadelphia. Welcome home Bubba-chuck.