The Tragedy Of Allen Iverson

[TaLvsCuaL]

How a player with such talent could be so stupid?

He has what he deserves.

[Shepseskaf]

How a player with such talent could be so stupid?

Basketball talent has absolutely nothing to do with being smart in financial matters.

Not giving AI a pass here, but his thought process is obviously very different from anyone on this board. Since he was in his mid-teens he's been coddled, entitled, and given pretty much anything he wanted.

Now, after nearly 20 years of living it up on millions of dollars in salary and endorsements, he's finding it tough to adjust to the fact that the gravy train has left town.

From the stories about his frequent drunkenness and the loss of his family, AI is going to be forced to deal with reality sooner rather than later.

[TaLvsCuaL]

Basketball talent has absolutely nothing to do with being smart in financial matters.

Not giving AI a pass here, but his thought process is obviously very different from anyone on this board. Since he was in his mid-teens he's been coddled, entitled, and given pretty much anything he wanted.

Now, after nearly 20 years of living it up on millions of dollars in salary and endorsements, he's finding it tough to adjust to the fact that the gravy train has left town.

From the stories about his frequent drunkenness and the loss of his family, AI is going to be forced to deal with reality sooner rather than later.

You're right about that.

Many people when they succeed too soon end up having serious problems later when their careers begin to decline.

[jlitt]

Well, I live in Delaware and have seen his house as well but I'm not sure what this has to do with the conversation. I know an Nba agent who was on my summer league team and also know people who play and have played in the NBA. All that being said, agents are scummy crooks and you're very naive. Investments? People were falling over themselves just for a chance to invest with Bernie Madoff and look how that turned out. Again, that dude is obviously going broke. You do realize that Eddy Curry was having his house foreclosed and got a pay advance for an upcoming season two years ago? Do you not think that he had a competent agent? I know it's hard for you to admit that your favorite player who kept things so real is really an idiot, but unfortunately he is. It has nothing to do with him having a big heart, it has to do with him being an insufferable moron. But that's ok because he's not alone Antoine Walker can keep him company.

Look I dont have a favorite player. Im not a fan like i was when i was a teenager. I work with athletes and know how these things work. Agents can be scummy and crooks but Leon Rose is a legitimate agent in the league. These agents, their only crediabiilty comes from other athletes. Once one athlete bad mouths you its can cost you your whole Buisness. So these guys really make sure to take care of the athletes they work with nowadays.

And besides the fact. Lets say for instance he is broke, which he isnt. His NBA pension will pay him over 200,000 the rest of his life. Who is anyone to judge him on his spending habits. He is a self made man, One of the greatest people to do what he did and is known worldwide for it. Who are we to judge him? Lets not be so self righteous eh.

[chocolatethunder]

Look I dont have a favorite player. Im not a fan like i was when i was a teenager. I work with athletes and know how these things work. Agents can be scummy and crooks but Leon Rose is a legitimate agent in the league. These agents, their only crediabiilty comes from other athletes. Once one athlete bad mouths you its can cost you your whole Buisness. So these guys really make sure to take care of the athletes they work with nowadays.

And besides the fact. Lets say for instance he is broke, which he isnt. His NBA pension will pay him over 200,000 the rest of his life. Who is anyone to judge him on his spending habits. He is a self made man, One of the greatest people to do what he did and is known worldwide for it. Who are we to judge him? Lets not be so self righteous eh.

Well let me tell you a little story about Leon Rose. The agent I know worked for Leon Rose. Leon Rose treated him like shit and he wasn't making any money so he left and went out on his own and took his athletes with him. Leon Rose didn't like this and tried to have him blackballed and tried to take him to court and stop this from happening. Unfortunately for Leon, he wasn't in the right and the agent I know was able to keep his clients. Rose has done everything in his power to smear this dudes name. The dude I know is a scumbag too but lemme tell you Leon Rose is no saint. As far as Iverson getting a pension, that's great but it won't save him from bankruptcy. It'll be a big hanger of pace trying to live off of what's left of $200k after taxes and child support. Iverson is and has always been his own worst enemy. He could have been a lot more if he was coachable. The whole "practice" fiasco sums him up. Literally almost all of the greats were first in, last out of the gym. He was unable to understand this. This self made "man" barely practiced. You do know that don't you? He really like almost never showed up to practice. You should have heard Billy King talk about his time in Philly with Iverson. You would not believe the things that went down that were never made public at the time. Really. This "man" also tossed his naked wife out on to the lawn of their home and locked her out of the house. Yeah, he's a classy guy. Reebok can't find enough ways to use him and his lifetime contract.

[jlitt]

Well let me tell you a little story about Leon Rose. The agent I know worked for Leon Rose. Leon Rose treated him like shit and he wasn't making any money so he left and went out on his own and took his athletes with him. Leon Rose didn't like this and tried to have him blackballed and tried to take him to court and stop this from happening. Unfortunately for Leon, he wasn't in the right and the agent I know was able to keep his clients. Rose has done everything in his power to smear this dudes name. The dude I know is a scumbag too but lemme tell you Leon Rose is no saint. As far as Iverson getting a pension, that's great but it won't save him from bankruptcy. It'll be a big hanger of pace trying to live off of what's left of $200k after taxes and child support. Iverson is and has always been his own worst enemy. He could have been a lot more if he was coachable. The whole "practice" fiasco sums him up. Literally almost all of the greats were first in, last out of the gym. He was unable to understand this. This self made "man" barely practiced. You do know that don't you? He really like almost never showed up to practice. You should have heard Billy King talk about his time in Philly with Iverson. You would not believe the things that went down that were never made public at the time. Really. This "man" also tossed his naked wife out on to the lawn of their home and locked her out of the house. Yeah, he's a classy guy. Reebok can't find enough ways to use him and his lifetime contract.

Agent Vs Agent is cut throat as anything out there. Agents know how competitive the industry is and to try to establish one's credibility is virtually impossible. The only way to do that is to basically start with a group like octagon establish creditably and then open up your own agency.
What made iverson great led to his demise. The game was so easy so natural to him that he never had to practice. There are some crazy stories about AI out there. Stories of playing inebriated , playing after a 48 hour casino binge, etc etc. And the thing is it never affected his play. Yeah he had some domestic disputes, but he provided for his wife and kids the only way he knew how. Kobe raped a woman, yet he is everyone's angel. AI reminds me of one of those paul newman charachters from the 60's. A flawed hero who beats to his own drum, where you can just tell how it ends , yet nothing can be done.

[Joshumitsu]

The majority of poor people don't know how to handle their money. Because of their circumstances, they're conditioned to spend their next paycheck as soon as they get it. It's a "spend now and keep working to pay off next month" mentality rather than a "I've got money for the next 6 months of bills" attitude.


This is why many athletes from poor backgrounds go broke after their career is over. Like the author said, it's a tragedy.

[greymatter]

Can't feel sad at all for the likes of stupid athletes. I was fairly certain that Shaq was going to be in the same boat. Still a high chance that he is since that TNT job sure as hell isn't going to pay 18+ million a year.

Some stuff dated 2008.

http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/10599168
http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/19680124.html