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Not a Game: The Incredible Rise and Unthinkable Fall of Allen Iverson
“This is more than just great sports writing, this is writing at its best. Babb strips away the public persona of iconic superstar Allen Iverson to tell a stunning story of triumph, tribulation and ultimate tragedy.”
— R.G. Belsky, author of “The Kennedy Connection” and “The Midnight Hour”
“Allen Iverson was impossible to ignore, a one man hurricane, on the court and off; equal parts dynamic and depressing. With Not a Game Kent Babb brilliantly tells his story and it's a tour de force like AI himself.”
— Dan Wetzel, National Columnist, Yahoo! Sports and New York Times bestselling author
Former NBA superstar Allen Iverson was once one of America's most famous athletes: a trendsetter who transcended race, celebrity, and pop culture, and emerged from a troubled past to become one of the most successful and highly compensated athletes in the world. Now, his life and career comes vividly to light in this hard-hitting biography that examines what drove his successes and failures.
Through extensive research and interviews with those closest to Iverson, acclaimed Washington Post sportswriter Kent Babb gets behind the familiar, sanitized, and heroic version of Iverson: the hard-charging, hard-partying athlete who played every game as if it were his last. Babb brings to life a private, loyal, and often generous Allen Iverson who rarely made the headlines, revealing the back story behind some of Iverson's most memorable moments, such as his infamous "Practice" rant, delving even deeper to discover where Iverson's demons lurked. He drank too much, stayed out too late, spent more money than most people could spend in a dozen lifetimes: blowing more than $150 million of his NBA earnings alone. His then wife Tawanna, seen often as the mild-mannered woman who tamed the bad boy, tried to keep her husband and family on the rails. But she was no match, as so many others learned on basketball courts, for the force of nature that Iverson was: jealousy, meanness, and a restlessness eventually wearing down even his biggest fan, teammate, and, eventually, his most formidable opponent.
Over time, Iverson himself had come to believe his own hype: that he lived in a world where celebrity is eternal and riches are everlasting. He was about that life even when he was no longer the fastest man on the court, as endorsement deals and long-term contracts became a thing of the past. Some in his inner circle saw the writing on the wall and encouraged Iverson to embrace life beyond basketball. But instead, he remained in denial.
Not a Game is an impeccably researched, sometimes uncomfortable look at the factors that led to the rise and fall of a basketball superstar. In doing so, it illuminates the dark side of our modern day, multi-billion dollar sports and entertainment culture in which talented players are disposable and all too often success and tragedy wear the same number.
— R.G. Belsky, author of “The Kennedy Connection” and “The Midnight Hour”
“Allen Iverson was impossible to ignore, a one man hurricane, on the court and off; equal parts dynamic and depressing. With Not a Game Kent Babb brilliantly tells his story and it's a tour de force like AI himself.”
— Dan Wetzel, National Columnist, Yahoo! Sports and New York Times bestselling author
Former NBA superstar Allen Iverson was once one of America's most famous athletes: a trendsetter who transcended race, celebrity, and pop culture, and emerged from a troubled past to become one of the most successful and highly compensated athletes in the world. Now, his life and career comes vividly to light in this hard-hitting biography that examines what drove his successes and failures.
Through extensive research and interviews with those closest to Iverson, acclaimed Washington Post sportswriter Kent Babb gets behind the familiar, sanitized, and heroic version of Iverson: the hard-charging, hard-partying athlete who played every game as if it were his last. Babb brings to life a private, loyal, and often generous Allen Iverson who rarely made the headlines, revealing the back story behind some of Iverson's most memorable moments, such as his infamous "Practice" rant, delving even deeper to discover where Iverson's demons lurked. He drank too much, stayed out too late, spent more money than most people could spend in a dozen lifetimes: blowing more than $150 million of his NBA earnings alone. His then wife Tawanna, seen often as the mild-mannered woman who tamed the bad boy, tried to keep her husband and family on the rails. But she was no match, as so many others learned on basketball courts, for the force of nature that Iverson was: jealousy, meanness, and a restlessness eventually wearing down even his biggest fan, teammate, and, eventually, his most formidable opponent.
Over time, Iverson himself had come to believe his own hype: that he lived in a world where celebrity is eternal and riches are everlasting. He was about that life even when he was no longer the fastest man on the court, as endorsement deals and long-term contracts became a thing of the past. Some in his inner circle saw the writing on the wall and encouraged Iverson to embrace life beyond basketball. But instead, he remained in denial.
Not a Game is an impeccably researched, sometimes uncomfortable look at the factors that led to the rise and fall of a basketball superstar. In doing so, it illuminates the dark side of our modern day, multi-billion dollar sports and entertainment culture in which talented players are disposable and all too often success and tragedy wear the same number.
311 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2015
88 people are currently reading
1036 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
June 10, 2015
I was a huge Allen Iverson fan when he played for my Sixers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2001, my first year of teaching, I remember wearing an Iverson jersey beneath the robe I had to wear at graduation because I wanted to support the Sixers in the finals.
So this book was a tough read. Babb does a great job of alternating chapters between AI's meteoric rise and his current struggles. As Babb asserts in the Acknowledgements, I too simply can't understand some of the choices that Iverson has made and continues to make. I haven't stood in his shoes. I'm not where he is from, nor is he where I am from. That's what makes human beings so wonderfully mysterious.
But, to take one example, I'm just flummoxed and disappointed to read, just pages after a description of Iverson acting so chivalrous and bright eyed at the dedication of John Thompson's Court at Georgetown, of Iverson's no-showing the kids who signed up for HIS camp. Time and time again, the people in Iverson's life have reached out a hand to him, sometimes for personal gain, yes, but sometimes simply to be kind. And Iverson seems just as likely to take that hand as he does to slap it away. Or worse, ignore it.
And that, I suppose, is what makes him both an interesting subject and what makes those of us who still root for him to find peace, frustrated. When I finished, I thought of where Iverson might be. What he might be doing. And I realized that it's equally likely that he may be calling up Tawanna to see if he can make amends or sitting at the bar by himself at P.F. Chang's drinking Corona and watching highlights on ESPN that aren't of him. Either way, I'm reminded of that wonderful description of Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, hoping that it won't hold true for Iverson: he "would drift on forever seeking a little wistfully for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game."
So this book was a tough read. Babb does a great job of alternating chapters between AI's meteoric rise and his current struggles. As Babb asserts in the Acknowledgements, I too simply can't understand some of the choices that Iverson has made and continues to make. I haven't stood in his shoes. I'm not where he is from, nor is he where I am from. That's what makes human beings so wonderfully mysterious.
But, to take one example, I'm just flummoxed and disappointed to read, just pages after a description of Iverson acting so chivalrous and bright eyed at the dedication of John Thompson's Court at Georgetown, of Iverson's no-showing the kids who signed up for HIS camp. Time and time again, the people in Iverson's life have reached out a hand to him, sometimes for personal gain, yes, but sometimes simply to be kind. And Iverson seems just as likely to take that hand as he does to slap it away. Or worse, ignore it.
And that, I suppose, is what makes him both an interesting subject and what makes those of us who still root for him to find peace, frustrated. When I finished, I thought of where Iverson might be. What he might be doing. And I realized that it's equally likely that he may be calling up Tawanna to see if he can make amends or sitting at the bar by himself at P.F. Chang's drinking Corona and watching highlights on ESPN that aren't of him. Either way, I'm reminded of that wonderful description of Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, hoping that it won't hold true for Iverson: he "would drift on forever seeking a little wistfully for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game."
June 25, 2015
I found myself sitting with this and just reading until I had to stop because the writing flowed so easily. The author alternates between events that led to his rise and events that led to his career's unfortunate fall and it weaves together in a way that a documentary might.
I don't feel as if there was a lot of "new" information, but there was definitely more detail than I'd heard before.
It's such a shame Allen Iverson's career went the way it did because he had such promise. This book sort of breaks down the celebrity and shows Allen Iverson the person. I definitely recommend if you're even a little bit interested in AI.
I don't feel as if there was a lot of "new" information, but there was definitely more detail than I'd heard before.
It's such a shame Allen Iverson's career went the way it did because he had such promise. This book sort of breaks down the celebrity and shows Allen Iverson the person. I definitely recommend if you're even a little bit interested in AI.
November 26, 2020
Never meet your heroes. Never read a book about them either. An astounding take on the life of one of the best ever, not elevating his stature, but rather placing him in his most naked, vulnerable self. While I always had an idea about the off-the-court limitations of the man I've admired forever for what he did on the court, this book just reminded me of how little I actually knew. Fame and money can get the worst out of anyone, regardless of their humble beginnings. In AI's case, they - and the byproduct, Alcohol addiction - quite literally cost him his career. A successful career could have been even more glamourous and fruitful, if only Allen Iverson had thought about someone other than himself.
The one-star tax only because there was an insignificant level of basketball talk in the entire book. While I appreciated what I gained about his life in isolation, a little more about his combat on court could have made the read even better. Nonetheless, a must-read for any NBA fan. Or rather, anyone in the quest for money and fame. But most of all, for any fellow Iverson fan out there. Here's a chance to meet your hero, and shuffle between loving the art and despising the artist, as I'm going to do now for years to come.
The one-star tax only because there was an insignificant level of basketball talk in the entire book. While I appreciated what I gained about his life in isolation, a little more about his combat on court could have made the read even better. Nonetheless, a must-read for any NBA fan. Or rather, anyone in the quest for money and fame. But most of all, for any fellow Iverson fan out there. Here's a chance to meet your hero, and shuffle between loving the art and despising the artist, as I'm going to do now for years to come.
June 4, 2020
Statistically and anecdotally, there are dozens of better players in NBA history than Allen Iverson. Iverson was famous for low percentage shots, inefficient passing and turnovers. His usage rate was outrageously high for someone whose effectiveness was questionable. When his hellbent driving skills worked, his layups and dunks looked like masterpieces. But his game was always more appreciated from an aesthetic perspective.
So no, Allen Iverson was not the best player to play basketball. Not by a long shot.
But in terms of cultural influence and impact on the game, he is second only to Michael Jordan.
Kent Babb does a good enough job unpacking Iverson’s complicated legacy. He alternates chapters between stories of Iverson’s life and career mixed with the divorce proceedings between Iverson and his wife Tawanna. It framed the story in a way that did not let you forget what a complicated person Iverson is.
Here, Babb lays it all bare and makes no excuses or apologies for the man. He allows Iverson to be from an impoverished background, the victim of brutal systemic racism, a person who against all odds pushed himself to greatness, who was capable of extraordinary acts of kindness and selflessness, almost to a fault. And Iverson is also the entitled athlete who was protected in the judiciary system, an alcoholic wife beater and negligent father who put his family through hell, a teammate who was often more about himself.
By not passing judgment on Iverson, we are allowed to view him in full complexity. It’s the only way to do it. Iverson symbolizes so much about professional sports in America for better and for worse.
This is actually the rare biography that I wish had more detail. Babb sort of skimps over certain points. He’s more interested in covering the family aspect of Iverson, which is fine. But I would have liked to learn more about what his teammates (save Aaron McKie) thought of him, what his rivals thought of him. The format, while helping the complexity of the story, doesn’t always work, sometimes detracting from the momentum of storytelling Iverson’s life.
I would love something more comprehensive on Iverson but this is all we get and for now, it will do.
So no, Allen Iverson was not the best player to play basketball. Not by a long shot.
But in terms of cultural influence and impact on the game, he is second only to Michael Jordan.
Kent Babb does a good enough job unpacking Iverson’s complicated legacy. He alternates chapters between stories of Iverson’s life and career mixed with the divorce proceedings between Iverson and his wife Tawanna. It framed the story in a way that did not let you forget what a complicated person Iverson is.
Here, Babb lays it all bare and makes no excuses or apologies for the man. He allows Iverson to be from an impoverished background, the victim of brutal systemic racism, a person who against all odds pushed himself to greatness, who was capable of extraordinary acts of kindness and selflessness, almost to a fault. And Iverson is also the entitled athlete who was protected in the judiciary system, an alcoholic wife beater and negligent father who put his family through hell, a teammate who was often more about himself.
By not passing judgment on Iverson, we are allowed to view him in full complexity. It’s the only way to do it. Iverson symbolizes so much about professional sports in America for better and for worse.
This is actually the rare biography that I wish had more detail. Babb sort of skimps over certain points. He’s more interested in covering the family aspect of Iverson, which is fine. But I would have liked to learn more about what his teammates (save Aaron McKie) thought of him, what his rivals thought of him. The format, while helping the complexity of the story, doesn’t always work, sometimes detracting from the momentum of storytelling Iverson’s life.
I would love something more comprehensive on Iverson but this is all we get and for now, it will do.
June 19, 2015
We STILL talkin' 'bout practice, Man? Practice? Not a game? Yes, we are, and for good reason. Iverson was one of those Dudes to me. An FU to Corporate White America, showing Millions of young Men that they did not have to compromise to make it. I remember when an Employer told my Buddy he had to cut his braids, because it wasn't "GQ enough." We told them, we don't read GQ, we read SLAM Magazine (For, the record, I've always read GQ as well. Ha.) The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars, was due to zero participation from AI himself. For all of the amazing details we get, it just doesn't feel fair to not have AI speak on a lot of this stuff. Perhaps, as the Divorce trial showed, he had no fight left in him. Heartbreaking, considering he may have been the greatest Bball player pound-for-pound to have ever played the game. And, just think, he may have been an even better Football player, though he was before his time as a QB. Can you imagine, Mike Vick and AI as rising star QB's at the same time?
Only time will tell if AI can rise from the ashes. Reminds me of the Randy Moss story. Randy seems to be getting it together, Still, we wonder, what if? What if he had put down the bottle? What if a Coach grabbed him by the collar and shook some sense in to him, post-John Thompson at Georgetown? Sigh.
As far as practice, if only Folks knew the entire story of that time. That AI's best friend had recently been shot dead by another friend. That things with Larry Brown were near-violently bad. That many drinks had been consumed prior to that Press Conference. We need to stop talking about Practice. -JP
Only time will tell if AI can rise from the ashes. Reminds me of the Randy Moss story. Randy seems to be getting it together, Still, we wonder, what if? What if he had put down the bottle? What if a Coach grabbed him by the collar and shook some sense in to him, post-John Thompson at Georgetown? Sigh.
As far as practice, if only Folks knew the entire story of that time. That AI's best friend had recently been shot dead by another friend. That things with Larry Brown were near-violently bad. That many drinks had been consumed prior to that Press Conference. We need to stop talking about Practice. -JP
February 13, 2016
One of the best and most influential basketball players of all time, Allen Iverson. I enjoyed reading this book because he is one of my top 5 basketball players of all time. Before reading this book I thought I knew everything about Allen Iverson, but I didn't. Allen did so many bad things and good things that weren't thrown out to the media that are very interesting and show you a lot more about the person that he really is.
"He doesn't do what Kobe and the other guys do, working in the off-season and condition for the sport. If he didn't do it then, when he's getting paid fifteen or twenty million, who's to think he's doing it now?"
How does an individuals point of view affect the way he deals with conflict? Allen Iverson had a lot of conflict throughout his life. Allen Iverson thought very highly of himself which got him into many problems, but that's just the way he dealt with things. His point of view was from the fact that he was better than everyone else and was above everyone else. He would miss practices because he thought he was already to good and he didn't need to put in work just like everyone else in the NBA does. Peoples point of view really does change the way they deal with things in life.
I recommend this book to basketball fans. People that just like a good read will enjoy it and want to learn more about one of the biggest icons in the basketball world.
"He doesn't do what Kobe and the other guys do, working in the off-season and condition for the sport. If he didn't do it then, when he's getting paid fifteen or twenty million, who's to think he's doing it now?"
How does an individuals point of view affect the way he deals with conflict? Allen Iverson had a lot of conflict throughout his life. Allen Iverson thought very highly of himself which got him into many problems, but that's just the way he dealt with things. His point of view was from the fact that he was better than everyone else and was above everyone else. He would miss practices because he thought he was already to good and he didn't need to put in work just like everyone else in the NBA does. Peoples point of view really does change the way they deal with things in life.
I recommend this book to basketball fans. People that just like a good read will enjoy it and want to learn more about one of the biggest icons in the basketball world.
August 11, 2015
This book is based on interviews of people around Iverson, court transcripts, and other material. It doesn't have an index and some of the sources aren't clearly attributed. That said, it is a well structured and compelling read. His choice to alternate current episode chapters with chronological biographical ones was skillfully done. This is a thought provoking and haunting read.
May 22, 2016
Incredible to see the conditions that AI grew up in. It makes you appreciate the need for a role model to emerge/intervene in such a scenario. Equally as fascinating to see how people would avoid approaching him during tumultuous personal times in his career because they wanted to stay on his meal ticket.
June 1, 2015
Interesting view into the life of Allen Iverson. Not far from what someone would expect of him if they've followed his life and his career. Another sad tale of fortune obtained and fortune lost. If Iverson would have participated in the book and given a quote or two the rating would be higher.
February 4, 2016
Very, very interesting read. My only wish is that AI along with his family and friends would have added their voices (ultimately their side) to the narrative.
May 19, 2021
I feel depressed after reading this book about my childhood idol. I expected something different , but im not disappointed.
November 19, 2016
https://page-23.com/2016/11/18/not-a-...
Talent Sport édite une nouvelle traduction d’un livre ayant connu un certain succès outre-atlantique et ce n’est pas pour me déplaire. Tout ce qui contribue à augmenter le nombre de références trouvables en librairies traitant d’une manière ou d’une autre des sports américains me réjouit.
Ici Kent Babb a fait un véritable travail de fourmi pour mener à bien son œuvre. Comme il le dit lui-même, il a du parcourir un nombre incalculable d’interviews et d’articles sur Iverson et croiser le tout avec le résultat de ses propres entretiens dégotés avec d’anciens coéquipiers, coachs, amis ou membres de staffs ayant pu côtoyer la légende du basket de Philadelphie.
Le livre présente une architecture qui se démarque des autres biographies que j’ai pu lire jusqu’à présent. En effet, un chapitre se situera dans un passé plutôt récent et s’attardera sur le procès du divorce d’Iverson d’avec sa femme Tawanna, tandis que le suivant retracera la vie et la carrière professionnel du fameux numéro 3 et ainsi de suite. De ce fait cette rupture volontaire nous rappelle sans cesse l’épilogue malheureux sanctionnant la vie trouble d’un athlète hors du commun. Alors même que l’on pouvait le quitter au chapitre précédent en pleine ascension du basket universitaire ou encore dans la lumière des projecteurs des Finales NBA, le prochain nous ramène à la dure réalité.
On réalise au fil des pages, que nous les spectateurs, les fans de basket, nous avons tous plus ou moins fait un rapprochement voire même une projection sur ce petit bonhomme d’un mètre quatre-vingt. Ce gamin avec cette carrure si différente de celle de ses adversaires et des superstars de l’époque. Shaquille O’Neal dominait la ligue quand un joueur au physique d’adolescent a décidé de s’inviter à la table des champions.
Cet attachement que l’on a pu avoir pour Iverson a sans doute altéré notre vision des choses. Et si ce livre dresse un portrait sombre de « The Answer », on est en droit de se demander si ce n’est pas une énième tentative de tirer sur l’ambulance conduisant un athlète au crépuscule de sa gloire. Il apparaît rapidement que non tant tous ceux ayant vécu aux côtés d’Iverson sont unanimes. Pourtant on peut sentir une certaine retenue dans les propos des différentes personnes interrogées tout comme dans l’écriture de l’auteur. On aurait pu lire des pages et des pages décrivant précisément ses déboires mais à quoi bon ?
Not A Game s’attarde aussi sur plein de petites anecdotes comme d’où vient son surnom « The Answer » ainsi, qu’entre autre, comment est née cette mode du manchon qu’il portait sur le bras droit.
Sans vous en dévoiler trop, ce livre revient donc surtout sur les rôles qu’ont pu tenir plusieurs individus dans la vie d’Iverson. Il souligne l’importance de coach Thompson à Georgetown qui a su parier sur un jeune encore en prison pour bâtir son équipe. On y découvre aussi un Pat Croce ancien membre du staff devenu propriétaire des Sixers qui s’amourache de ce petit phénomène au point d’en faire le premier choix de draft. On revient sur Dean Berry, celui qui a appris le crossover à Iverson lui permettant de mettre dans le vent un certain Jordan. Ses relations avec les membres de Reebok et ses agents successifs y sont également détaillées. Vous lirez également plusieurs passages émouvants sur son rapport avec Madame Michel qui avait pris soin de lui aussi bien physiquement que moralement. Et je garde le journaliste Phil Jasner pour la fin dont la dualité avec Iverson aura finalement accouché d’une belle histoire.
Après avoir lu ce livre il vous appartiendra de ne retenir que la souffrance d’une femme vivant un calvaire aux côtés d’une immense star du basket américain ayant sombré dans l’alcool, ou bien de vous interroger sur la nature même de ce mal ayant pulvérisé une famille. Iverson n’est-il pas en quête perpétuelle d’une jeunesse qu’on lui a volé ? N’est-ce pas sa naïveté infantile qui l’a ruiné, faisant profiter de son argent à tous ceux lui gravitant autour comme un gamin partage son goûter ? N’y avait-il pas que le jeu finalement qui intéressait Iverson ? N’était-ce pas en jouant qu’il était le plus sérieux et heureux ?
Not A Game… C’est un peu ça finalement. Il n’a jamais su mûrir comme il le fallait pour s’impliquer dans tout ce qui n’était pas un match de basket.
Courrez vous procurer Not A Game ! A la lecture des tranches de vies de ce petit bonhomme, véritable icône du basket, vous en ressortirez grandi.
Talent Sport édite une nouvelle traduction d’un livre ayant connu un certain succès outre-atlantique et ce n’est pas pour me déplaire. Tout ce qui contribue à augmenter le nombre de références trouvables en librairies traitant d’une manière ou d’une autre des sports américains me réjouit.
Ici Kent Babb a fait un véritable travail de fourmi pour mener à bien son œuvre. Comme il le dit lui-même, il a du parcourir un nombre incalculable d’interviews et d’articles sur Iverson et croiser le tout avec le résultat de ses propres entretiens dégotés avec d’anciens coéquipiers, coachs, amis ou membres de staffs ayant pu côtoyer la légende du basket de Philadelphie.
Le livre présente une architecture qui se démarque des autres biographies que j’ai pu lire jusqu’à présent. En effet, un chapitre se situera dans un passé plutôt récent et s’attardera sur le procès du divorce d’Iverson d’avec sa femme Tawanna, tandis que le suivant retracera la vie et la carrière professionnel du fameux numéro 3 et ainsi de suite. De ce fait cette rupture volontaire nous rappelle sans cesse l’épilogue malheureux sanctionnant la vie trouble d’un athlète hors du commun. Alors même que l’on pouvait le quitter au chapitre précédent en pleine ascension du basket universitaire ou encore dans la lumière des projecteurs des Finales NBA, le prochain nous ramène à la dure réalité.
On réalise au fil des pages, que nous les spectateurs, les fans de basket, nous avons tous plus ou moins fait un rapprochement voire même une projection sur ce petit bonhomme d’un mètre quatre-vingt. Ce gamin avec cette carrure si différente de celle de ses adversaires et des superstars de l’époque. Shaquille O’Neal dominait la ligue quand un joueur au physique d’adolescent a décidé de s’inviter à la table des champions.
Cet attachement que l’on a pu avoir pour Iverson a sans doute altéré notre vision des choses. Et si ce livre dresse un portrait sombre de « The Answer », on est en droit de se demander si ce n’est pas une énième tentative de tirer sur l’ambulance conduisant un athlète au crépuscule de sa gloire. Il apparaît rapidement que non tant tous ceux ayant vécu aux côtés d’Iverson sont unanimes. Pourtant on peut sentir une certaine retenue dans les propos des différentes personnes interrogées tout comme dans l’écriture de l’auteur. On aurait pu lire des pages et des pages décrivant précisément ses déboires mais à quoi bon ?
Not A Game s’attarde aussi sur plein de petites anecdotes comme d’où vient son surnom « The Answer » ainsi, qu’entre autre, comment est née cette mode du manchon qu’il portait sur le bras droit.
Sans vous en dévoiler trop, ce livre revient donc surtout sur les rôles qu’ont pu tenir plusieurs individus dans la vie d’Iverson. Il souligne l’importance de coach Thompson à Georgetown qui a su parier sur un jeune encore en prison pour bâtir son équipe. On y découvre aussi un Pat Croce ancien membre du staff devenu propriétaire des Sixers qui s’amourache de ce petit phénomène au point d’en faire le premier choix de draft. On revient sur Dean Berry, celui qui a appris le crossover à Iverson lui permettant de mettre dans le vent un certain Jordan. Ses relations avec les membres de Reebok et ses agents successifs y sont également détaillées. Vous lirez également plusieurs passages émouvants sur son rapport avec Madame Michel qui avait pris soin de lui aussi bien physiquement que moralement. Et je garde le journaliste Phil Jasner pour la fin dont la dualité avec Iverson aura finalement accouché d’une belle histoire.
Après avoir lu ce livre il vous appartiendra de ne retenir que la souffrance d’une femme vivant un calvaire aux côtés d’une immense star du basket américain ayant sombré dans l’alcool, ou bien de vous interroger sur la nature même de ce mal ayant pulvérisé une famille. Iverson n’est-il pas en quête perpétuelle d’une jeunesse qu’on lui a volé ? N’est-ce pas sa naïveté infantile qui l’a ruiné, faisant profiter de son argent à tous ceux lui gravitant autour comme un gamin partage son goûter ? N’y avait-il pas que le jeu finalement qui intéressait Iverson ? N’était-ce pas en jouant qu’il était le plus sérieux et heureux ?
Not A Game… C’est un peu ça finalement. Il n’a jamais su mûrir comme il le fallait pour s’impliquer dans tout ce qui n’était pas un match de basket.
Courrez vous procurer Not A Game ! A la lecture des tranches de vies de ce petit bonhomme, véritable icône du basket, vous en ressortirez grandi.
April 22, 2017
Great stories about AI
December 21, 2016
In his book, $40 Million Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete, William C. Rhoden suggests that black athletes have been on a journey from literal plantations to today’s figurative ones. William believes that kids from inner cities and small towns are placed on a ‘conveyor belt’ that takes them to big-time programs where they are cut off from their roots and exploited by team owners, sports agents and the media. Mega star athletes turn a blind eye to this, in essence abdicating their role in protecting these young people.
After reading Kent Babb’s scathing depiction of the rise and fall of Allen Iverson, I couldn’t agree more.
Through our privileged colored glasses it is hard for white people to understand the struggle of the African-American raised in the inner city. Allen Iverson was born to a fifteen-year-old girl whose family life was far from stable. With his father in prison and a mom who lived with a pimp/drug dealer, Allen Iverson had the cards stacked against him from the beginning.
Allen Iverson is arguably one of the best professional basketball players to ever play the game. In September of 2016 he was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame. Although he only retired in 2013, at the time he was not affiliated with an NBA team.
Despite the fact that, throughout his career, Allen Iverson’s contracts exceeded $154 million dollars, it is estimated that today his net worth is a mere $1 million dollars. His endorsement deal with Reebok would no doubt be able to finance a coup in a small country; most of that money has long been spent.
In thinking about William Rhoden’s assertions, I couldn’t agree with him more. Reebok was the only organization/business to take Iverson’s best interest and do something about it. Over the 20 years since Iverson signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, Reebok has been putting money away for Allen that will be distributed to the Iverson family when he turns 44 years old. That payout is estimated to be $32 million dollars.
The author of this book never interviewed the subject: Allen Iverson. His book is founded on information from other people closely or loosely associated with Iverson. Kent Babb seems to place the responsibility for Allen’s troubles squarely on the athlete’s shoulders. While this is of course true, from my viewpoint, there are other culprits who at least are accountable for their actions, or lack thereof.
Early on, Allen was noted for his athletic prowess. In fact, it is reported that he likely could have had a professional career in football as well. While his athletic ability opened many doors, privilege afforded to him gave impression that the rules apply to everyone else. Often athletes gain a false sense of importance, thus forever altering the way they deal with the ups and downs of life.
Educationally, it is clear that Allen suffered from Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Perhaps, had someone paid attention to his learning disability, coping skills could have helped him along the way.
Without a father figure to guide him, Allen Iverson was rudderless. Oh, sure, there were men in his life. And no doubt men of high character, yet none of them were able to make much difference in guiding Allen, except for Georgetown-University’s college basketball coach, John Thompson. I believe that Thompson could have been the man that Allen needed during his life to help him learn to make better decisions. It was during his time at Georgetown that Allen began to want a family, so he and his girlfriend, who later became his wife, had a child together. I believe that seeing the college basketball family for the first time, Allen loved the idea and wanted the same thing for his own life. Sadly, Allen Iverson entered the NBA draft after his sophomore year in college, thus ending any long-term influence that John Thompson could have had on him.
Technically, I did not enjoy the writing style of Kent Babb. His transitions back and forth in time were clumsy and difficult to follow. I also didn’t appreciate the view he took of Allen Iverson. His views of Iverson seem to come from the lens of white privilege and that perspective is never accurate.
After reading Kent Babb’s scathing depiction of the rise and fall of Allen Iverson, I couldn’t agree more.
Through our privileged colored glasses it is hard for white people to understand the struggle of the African-American raised in the inner city. Allen Iverson was born to a fifteen-year-old girl whose family life was far from stable. With his father in prison and a mom who lived with a pimp/drug dealer, Allen Iverson had the cards stacked against him from the beginning.
Allen Iverson is arguably one of the best professional basketball players to ever play the game. In September of 2016 he was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame. Although he only retired in 2013, at the time he was not affiliated with an NBA team.
Despite the fact that, throughout his career, Allen Iverson’s contracts exceeded $154 million dollars, it is estimated that today his net worth is a mere $1 million dollars. His endorsement deal with Reebok would no doubt be able to finance a coup in a small country; most of that money has long been spent.
In thinking about William Rhoden’s assertions, I couldn’t agree with him more. Reebok was the only organization/business to take Iverson’s best interest and do something about it. Over the 20 years since Iverson signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, Reebok has been putting money away for Allen that will be distributed to the Iverson family when he turns 44 years old. That payout is estimated to be $32 million dollars.
The author of this book never interviewed the subject: Allen Iverson. His book is founded on information from other people closely or loosely associated with Iverson. Kent Babb seems to place the responsibility for Allen’s troubles squarely on the athlete’s shoulders. While this is of course true, from my viewpoint, there are other culprits who at least are accountable for their actions, or lack thereof.
Early on, Allen was noted for his athletic prowess. In fact, it is reported that he likely could have had a professional career in football as well. While his athletic ability opened many doors, privilege afforded to him gave impression that the rules apply to everyone else. Often athletes gain a false sense of importance, thus forever altering the way they deal with the ups and downs of life.
Educationally, it is clear that Allen suffered from Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Perhaps, had someone paid attention to his learning disability, coping skills could have helped him along the way.
Without a father figure to guide him, Allen Iverson was rudderless. Oh, sure, there were men in his life. And no doubt men of high character, yet none of them were able to make much difference in guiding Allen, except for Georgetown-University’s college basketball coach, John Thompson. I believe that Thompson could have been the man that Allen needed during his life to help him learn to make better decisions. It was during his time at Georgetown that Allen began to want a family, so he and his girlfriend, who later became his wife, had a child together. I believe that seeing the college basketball family for the first time, Allen loved the idea and wanted the same thing for his own life. Sadly, Allen Iverson entered the NBA draft after his sophomore year in college, thus ending any long-term influence that John Thompson could have had on him.
Technically, I did not enjoy the writing style of Kent Babb. His transitions back and forth in time were clumsy and difficult to follow. I also didn’t appreciate the view he took of Allen Iverson. His views of Iverson seem to come from the lens of white privilege and that perspective is never accurate.
February 16, 2016
Not a Game is about one of greatest basketball players to play the game of basketball. His name is Allen Iverson. This book talks about how in the beginnig iversonc was nothing but a hood-rat that knew how to play basketball. Growing up Iverson played basketball and exceled in it so well that many scouts game just to see iverson play basketball. Later in life Iverson attened Georgetown University were he played basketball and later entered the NBA draft. Iverson was ddrafted by the sixers and exceled but also had some down faults. For Example: Allen Iverson had a press conference where people would ask him why was not attending practce and his words were,"If I can't practice, I can't practice. It is as simple as that. I ain't about that at all. It's easy to sum it up if you're just talking about practice. We're sitting here, and I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we're talking about practice. I mean listen, we're sitting here talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, but we're talking about practice. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last, but we're talking about practice man. How silly is that?" As Allen's carrer went on he had to carry the death of his best friend on his shoulders and was traded to many different teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Detriot Pistons, and the Memphis Grizzlies. Allen later retired and enjoyed being with his family.
There are many things I love about this book. One thing I liked about this book is that it explains the deep story of Allen Iverson in a way that everybody could understand. In this book there are alot of scary scenes like for example when Kent Babb explains why and how Iverson's best friend died. Some things I disliked about this book is how long it was but I understand because your telling the story of one of the greatest basketball players of All-Time. This book is one of the greatest books I have ever read. I really liked this book because it taught me that no matter where you come from you can achieve what you want to achieve. It also taught me that skill is way better than talent. Finally it taught me that I should always stay humble.
I would recommend this book to whoever follows basketball. I would also recommemd this book to people who think just because they ome from a poor neighboorhood that it doesnt mean that they can't achieve greatness. The way that this book was written had me constantly turning the pages. This book reminds me of the move More Than A Game because they both show how people can oversome anything when they put there mind to it.
There are many things I love about this book. One thing I liked about this book is that it explains the deep story of Allen Iverson in a way that everybody could understand. In this book there are alot of scary scenes like for example when Kent Babb explains why and how Iverson's best friend died. Some things I disliked about this book is how long it was but I understand because your telling the story of one of the greatest basketball players of All-Time. This book is one of the greatest books I have ever read. I really liked this book because it taught me that no matter where you come from you can achieve what you want to achieve. It also taught me that skill is way better than talent. Finally it taught me that I should always stay humble.
I would recommend this book to whoever follows basketball. I would also recommemd this book to people who think just because they ome from a poor neighboorhood that it doesnt mean that they can't achieve greatness. The way that this book was written had me constantly turning the pages. This book reminds me of the move More Than A Game because they both show how people can oversome anything when they put there mind to it.
February 3, 2016
Here's the thing: I never watched basketball back in the late nineties and early naughts when Iverson was at the pinnacle of his star power. I was too young. But I still knew who Allen Iverson was. Iverson was "America's hip-hop basketball star" (Ch. 17) during a time when "Movies such as Fight Club and American Beauty blazed a new frontier with characters who had grown tired of being marginalized and went on to kick the establishment in the teeth. [Tony Soprano and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin] represented a new feeling in America: that convention could be and should be challenged, middle fingers raised." (Ch. 9.)
His cornrows, his tattoos, the way he dressed and walked and talked. It didn't necessarily appeal to people, but it sure did catch their attention. Plus, there was the height to factor in: Iverson's deceptively short stature, which enabled the average basketball fan to relate to him in a league where the average athlete is 6'7".
In Not a Game (named after, of course, Iverson's now notoriously infamous interview in 2002), Kent Babb seeks to unravel the enigma that is Allen Iverson--and he doesn't hold back.
From AI's gradual ascent from small-town Virginia, from imprisonment at the Newport News City Farm "where he would dress in white and work in the bakery" (Ch. 3), to Georgetown, to Philly, to a plethora of NBA teams in his waning years, and then, inevitably, back to Philly. (And yes, there is Turkey, and it is mentioned in the book... but we don't talk about that.)
In great detail, Iverson's disordered personal life is laid bare - meeting his high school sweetheart and future ex-wife, Tawanna; the births of his five children; the murder of one of his best friends since childhood by another and the subsequent breaking up of his entourage of friends and groupies.
Finally, the closing of two chapters in Iverson's life come at the end of the book: his marriage ends in a divorce, and his Sixers jersey is retired.
However, Babb, in the final chapter seeming not to want to end the book on a depressed note, includes an optimistic but suspiciously disingenuous passage about Iverson's son, Deuce, following in his father's footsteps. I sincerely hope not.
Despite that, this is, if anything at all, absolutely the incredible rise and unthinkable fall of Allen Iverson.
His cornrows, his tattoos, the way he dressed and walked and talked. It didn't necessarily appeal to people, but it sure did catch their attention. Plus, there was the height to factor in: Iverson's deceptively short stature, which enabled the average basketball fan to relate to him in a league where the average athlete is 6'7".
In Not a Game (named after, of course, Iverson's now notoriously infamous interview in 2002), Kent Babb seeks to unravel the enigma that is Allen Iverson--and he doesn't hold back.
From AI's gradual ascent from small-town Virginia, from imprisonment at the Newport News City Farm "where he would dress in white and work in the bakery" (Ch. 3), to Georgetown, to Philly, to a plethora of NBA teams in his waning years, and then, inevitably, back to Philly. (And yes, there is Turkey, and it is mentioned in the book... but we don't talk about that.)
In great detail, Iverson's disordered personal life is laid bare - meeting his high school sweetheart and future ex-wife, Tawanna; the births of his five children; the murder of one of his best friends since childhood by another and the subsequent breaking up of his entourage of friends and groupies.
Finally, the closing of two chapters in Iverson's life come at the end of the book: his marriage ends in a divorce, and his Sixers jersey is retired.
However, Babb, in the final chapter seeming not to want to end the book on a depressed note, includes an optimistic but suspiciously disingenuous passage about Iverson's son, Deuce, following in his father's footsteps. I sincerely hope not.
Despite that, this is, if anything at all, absolutely the incredible rise and unthinkable fall of Allen Iverson.
November 19, 2015
Few NBA players in the past 30 years have been as memorable or as important as Allen Iverson. In an era when I could rarely cobble together the money or interest to see the Wizards lose live, I’d still pony up to see the Sixers, just because Iverson in person was a must-see event. On the court, AI was a fascinating and game-changing force of nature with talent, drive, physical gifts and energy that seemed almost inhuman, but the bizarre stories about his off-court behavior (practice?) and post-NBA career (including an inexplicable love for hanging out in an Istanbul T.G.I.Friday’s) were fascinating for exactly the opposite reason: they were weirdly sad, and showed just how fragile he really was.
Kent Babb’s book, built on remarkably honest interviews from many of the people around AI (Pat Croce, Larry Brown, Aaron McKie, etc.), reveals that the whole story was even more interesting and heartbreaking than the smaller stories hinted at. It’s amazing that he ever escaped his difficult home life, with a single mother whose late night parties would drive a young Iverson to wandering the streets at night, or the bowling alley incident that turned a top recruit into a felon. While his disdain for practice or working out was legendary, the true depths of his drinking problem (significant enough that he was too drunk to drive his partner to the hospital or even show up for the births of several of their five children, and he’d sometimes show up minutes before game time, still reeking of alcohol) were shocking to read about, and make his gifts on the court even more amazing. It’s an amazing contrast between the two Iversons: on one hand, the dominant, indefatigable point guard with an unstoppable engine who could jump over players a foot taller than him and showed no regard for his own body as he sped toward the rim, with a wildly popular shoe line and $70 million or more in salary alone, and on the other, the pathetic, petulant alcoholic whose wife and friends have left him, who has to ask his wife where their kids go to school when she asks him to pick them up there, who still thinks the NBA’s going to be calling years after he unceremoniously left his last team and was deemed not good enough to get a contract from a Chinese team. A really good book for NBA and non-NBA fans alike.
Kent Babb’s book, built on remarkably honest interviews from many of the people around AI (Pat Croce, Larry Brown, Aaron McKie, etc.), reveals that the whole story was even more interesting and heartbreaking than the smaller stories hinted at. It’s amazing that he ever escaped his difficult home life, with a single mother whose late night parties would drive a young Iverson to wandering the streets at night, or the bowling alley incident that turned a top recruit into a felon. While his disdain for practice or working out was legendary, the true depths of his drinking problem (significant enough that he was too drunk to drive his partner to the hospital or even show up for the births of several of their five children, and he’d sometimes show up minutes before game time, still reeking of alcohol) were shocking to read about, and make his gifts on the court even more amazing. It’s an amazing contrast between the two Iversons: on one hand, the dominant, indefatigable point guard with an unstoppable engine who could jump over players a foot taller than him and showed no regard for his own body as he sped toward the rim, with a wildly popular shoe line and $70 million or more in salary alone, and on the other, the pathetic, petulant alcoholic whose wife and friends have left him, who has to ask his wife where their kids go to school when she asks him to pick them up there, who still thinks the NBA’s going to be calling years after he unceremoniously left his last team and was deemed not good enough to get a contract from a Chinese team. A really good book for NBA and non-NBA fans alike.
March 31, 2016
Not a Game was a very well written biography about the rise and fall of the idolized Allen Iverson. Allen Iverson is arguably one of the greatest guards to ever play in the history of the NBA, but off the court he wasn't so great. I am a fan of Iverson and as soon as I laid eyes on this book I knew I had to read it. On the cover of the book it says “The incredible rise and the unthinkable fall of Allen Iverson.” When I first saw this I thought what kind of fall could Kent Babb be talking about. I knew all about the fame and the rise of the great Allen Iverson, but I never heard the stories of his falling. I really liked how Kent Babb really balanced the good things out with the bad things. I was surprised about how many things Allen Iverson did that were unethical or hurt his image as a person. It is a little sad because he had so much potential and promise but Iverson got caught up in all of the celebrity flashiness and fame that comes with being as good as he was.
Kent Babb talks about many things that Iverson did that sets him apart from every body else, while answering the question, “How hard does an individual have to work reach his/her goals and be successful?” Iverson was born a natural athlete, god gave blessed Allen with the gift of athleticism. Iverson was very talented but lacked the work ethic and concentration to reach his maximum potential. To describe Iverson’s work ethic Babb says this. “"He doesn't do what Kobe and the other guys do, working in the off-season and condition for the sport. If he didn't do it then, when he's getting paid fifteen or twenty million, who's to think he's doing it now?” This describes the work ethic of Iverson and Babb basically answers the question by saying that some people have to work harder than other to achieve the same goals. People are given unfair talents and the people with those talents don’t have to work as hard as the people without the god given talents, but when they do, that’s when greatness occurs.
I really liked this book because I am a big sports fan and Iverson is one of my favorite layers of all time. This book is not a quick read, but it is worth your time. I recommend this book to people who like sports and basketball but who are specifically Allen Iverson fans. I would not recommend this book to some one who is not interested in sports or athletes.
Kent Babb talks about many things that Iverson did that sets him apart from every body else, while answering the question, “How hard does an individual have to work reach his/her goals and be successful?” Iverson was born a natural athlete, god gave blessed Allen with the gift of athleticism. Iverson was very talented but lacked the work ethic and concentration to reach his maximum potential. To describe Iverson’s work ethic Babb says this. “"He doesn't do what Kobe and the other guys do, working in the off-season and condition for the sport. If he didn't do it then, when he's getting paid fifteen or twenty million, who's to think he's doing it now?” This describes the work ethic of Iverson and Babb basically answers the question by saying that some people have to work harder than other to achieve the same goals. People are given unfair talents and the people with those talents don’t have to work as hard as the people without the god given talents, but when they do, that’s when greatness occurs.
I really liked this book because I am a big sports fan and Iverson is one of my favorite layers of all time. This book is not a quick read, but it is worth your time. I recommend this book to people who like sports and basketball but who are specifically Allen Iverson fans. I would not recommend this book to some one who is not interested in sports or athletes.
May 23, 2016
Not A Game is a book that I read for one of my reviews for english. My friend Max suggested it to me and my reading experience with this book is amazing. During my experience I felt the struggles of my favorite basketball player, Allen Iverson. Allen Iverson came from nothing and turned into a NBA superstar. During the 80s lots of people look up to Allen. Reading this Biography made me think of all success stories out there but allen was different. The book make you feel that if you work hard you can achieve anything. It gave me confidence that I can achieve anything.
“If I can't practice, I can't practice man. If I'm hurt, I'm hurt. I mean … simple as that. It ain't about that... I mean it's... It's not about that... At all. You know what I'm saying I mean... But it's...it's easy … to, to talk about... It's easy to sum it up when you're just talking about practice. We're sitting in here, and I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talking about practice. I mean, listen, we're talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, we talking about practice. Not a game. Not, not … Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last. Not the game, but we're talking about practice, man. I mean, how silly is that? … And we talking about practice. I know I supposed to be there. I know I'm supposed to lead by example... I know that... And I'm not.. I'm not shoving it aside, you know, like it don't mean anything. I know it's important, I do. I honestly do... But we're talking about practice man. What are we talking about? Practice? We're talking about practice, man. [laughter from the media crowd] We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We ain't talking about the game. [more laughter] We're talking about practice, man. When you come to the arena, and you see me play, you see me play don't you? You've seen me give everything I've got, right? But we're talking about practice right now. We talking about pr... [Interrupted].”
This a quote from the book that explains how the media tries to ruin Allen Iverson life. Allen showed up to practice late. With this coming with the job Allen Starts loving passion for the game and doesn't want to continue his american dream.
Anyone that needs a positive sports story I recommended it to them.
“If I can't practice, I can't practice man. If I'm hurt, I'm hurt. I mean … simple as that. It ain't about that... I mean it's... It's not about that... At all. You know what I'm saying I mean... But it's...it's easy … to, to talk about... It's easy to sum it up when you're just talking about practice. We're sitting in here, and I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talking about practice. I mean, listen, we're talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, we talking about practice. Not a game. Not, not … Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last. Not the game, but we're talking about practice, man. I mean, how silly is that? … And we talking about practice. I know I supposed to be there. I know I'm supposed to lead by example... I know that... And I'm not.. I'm not shoving it aside, you know, like it don't mean anything. I know it's important, I do. I honestly do... But we're talking about practice man. What are we talking about? Practice? We're talking about practice, man. [laughter from the media crowd] We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We ain't talking about the game. [more laughter] We're talking about practice, man. When you come to the arena, and you see me play, you see me play don't you? You've seen me give everything I've got, right? But we're talking about practice right now. We talking about pr... [Interrupted].”
This a quote from the book that explains how the media tries to ruin Allen Iverson life. Allen showed up to practice late. With this coming with the job Allen Starts loving passion for the game and doesn't want to continue his american dream.
Anyone that needs a positive sports story I recommended it to them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 5, 2017Nicholas Eddings
Period 2
Not a Game: The incredible rise and the unthinkable fall of Allen Iverson
By: Kent Babb
Pages: 311
Non-Fiction
“Allen Iverson” might go down as one of the best Point Guards to ever play the game of Basketball. Allen was Born on June 7, 1975 in Hampton, Virginia. Growing up with a single mother and no father figure Allen began to grow and prosper. At the age of 6 Allen began playing Basketball. He was a natural, scoring all over the kids that sticked him. As Allen got older his life became a struggle. His mother paying for Travel Basketball so her son could get scholarships to continue his path on being one of the greats.
Allen began to start skipping school, and when his principal asked him why he was skipping, Allen told him that he was taking care of “family problems”. He would later grow out of that stage and then soon find out that he would get a full ride to Georgetown only attending 2 years (1994-1996).
Draft day came and Allen was anxious to see what would happen that night. He would later get drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, 1st round 1st Pick. Allen would start his rookie season with (30 Points, 6 Assists, 2 Rebounds) which was an amazing start for a rookie. Allen would later end his season with a remarkable achievement and would win “The Rookie Of The Year” Award.
After Allen started to get used to The “NBA life” he started to get a bad rap for himself. Allen would get into tons of trouble and would dis-obey the rules that the NBA would tell him to go by. Allen would later win the “MVP” Award and would later take the 76ers to the Finals. They would later lose to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
5 years later the 76ers traded him, and it all went downhill from there. He would later get divorced and lose all of his money and his kids. Allen later returned to the 76ers for just one more year and would later go to the Detroit Pistons in 2009. He would later Retire in 2011 and would go to the “Hall of Fame” in the 2015-16 season. He might have struggled and had a hard time for a while but would still go down as one of the greatest of all time.
Period 2
Not a Game: The incredible rise and the unthinkable fall of Allen Iverson
By: Kent Babb
Pages: 311
Non-Fiction
“Allen Iverson” might go down as one of the best Point Guards to ever play the game of Basketball. Allen was Born on June 7, 1975 in Hampton, Virginia. Growing up with a single mother and no father figure Allen began to grow and prosper. At the age of 6 Allen began playing Basketball. He was a natural, scoring all over the kids that sticked him. As Allen got older his life became a struggle. His mother paying for Travel Basketball so her son could get scholarships to continue his path on being one of the greats.
Allen began to start skipping school, and when his principal asked him why he was skipping, Allen told him that he was taking care of “family problems”. He would later grow out of that stage and then soon find out that he would get a full ride to Georgetown only attending 2 years (1994-1996).
Draft day came and Allen was anxious to see what would happen that night. He would later get drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, 1st round 1st Pick. Allen would start his rookie season with (30 Points, 6 Assists, 2 Rebounds) which was an amazing start for a rookie. Allen would later end his season with a remarkable achievement and would win “The Rookie Of The Year” Award.
After Allen started to get used to The “NBA life” he started to get a bad rap for himself. Allen would get into tons of trouble and would dis-obey the rules that the NBA would tell him to go by. Allen would later win the “MVP” Award and would later take the 76ers to the Finals. They would later lose to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
5 years later the 76ers traded him, and it all went downhill from there. He would later get divorced and lose all of his money and his kids. Allen later returned to the 76ers for just one more year and would later go to the Detroit Pistons in 2009. He would later Retire in 2011 and would go to the “Hall of Fame” in the 2015-16 season. He might have struggled and had a hard time for a while but would still go down as one of the greatest of all time.
August 5, 2015
Allen Iverson is not the first athlete to be arrogant and self-centered. He is not the first athlete to make millions only to piss it all away.
He just might be the most famous.
Allen Iverson is the the story for the greatest NBA player that could have been, if only he could have gotten out of his own way. Kent Babb provides us with the salacious details of the life of a basketball star who talked a good game, but always seemed to let people down with his actions.
The problem with this book, is that while Babb does his best to write the unauthorized biography of Allen Iverson, there is a missed opportunity to ask why Iverson is the way he is. How much is society to blame for the actions of Allen Iverson? As an African-American man growing up in the projects with a single, possible drug-addicted mother, is it any wonder that Iverson is the way he is? Iverson had the same roadblocks that most young African-American males seem to have placed in their way by white-dominated society, but he was able to elevate himself because of his ability to play basketball and the low cost of entry into the sport (get a ball and go to the playground.) In addition Babb intimates that Iverson is also an alcoholic. Since we now know that alcoholism is a disease, can we hold Iverson accountable for that? Still being an absent father, constantly blowing off edicts from coaches and managers...if he had not been the "Answer" no one would have put up with this shit.
In all, the book reveals that Iverson is flawed and human. I think Babb is actually trying to be sympathetic to Iverson in the book, but because he doesn't explicitly state it, the message you'll probably come back with is "Allen Iverson is a fucking mess."
He just might be the most famous.
Allen Iverson is the the story for the greatest NBA player that could have been, if only he could have gotten out of his own way. Kent Babb provides us with the salacious details of the life of a basketball star who talked a good game, but always seemed to let people down with his actions.
The problem with this book, is that while Babb does his best to write the unauthorized biography of Allen Iverson, there is a missed opportunity to ask why Iverson is the way he is. How much is society to blame for the actions of Allen Iverson? As an African-American man growing up in the projects with a single, possible drug-addicted mother, is it any wonder that Iverson is the way he is? Iverson had the same roadblocks that most young African-American males seem to have placed in their way by white-dominated society, but he was able to elevate himself because of his ability to play basketball and the low cost of entry into the sport (get a ball and go to the playground.) In addition Babb intimates that Iverson is also an alcoholic. Since we now know that alcoholism is a disease, can we hold Iverson accountable for that? Still being an absent father, constantly blowing off edicts from coaches and managers...if he had not been the "Answer" no one would have put up with this shit.
In all, the book reveals that Iverson is flawed and human. I think Babb is actually trying to be sympathetic to Iverson in the book, but because he doesn't explicitly state it, the message you'll probably come back with is "Allen Iverson is a fucking mess."
October 6, 2015
I might have liked this more in about 100 years or if I were from another country and hadn't lived thru the rise and fall of AI. But if you already remember that his Mom called him Bubba Chuck after two of his uncles, can hear in your head "we talkin' about PRACTICE?", and realize that drinking all the time, hanging out with thugs, dissing coaches, mostly ignoring your kids, wasting your money, beating your wife, and never refining your game or toning down the high-volume shooting are all detrimental to personal stability and career longevity, then there's not much news here.
He didn't get an interview with the Answer himself, so it's all from prior stories or people around him. Not a lot of depth in the basketball analysis, and a fair amount of repetition. Some of the repetition is I guess the nature of the bio under review (he and his posse got in another brawl?), but some reflected under-editing of the book. Author was particularly fascinated, for example, by the point that Iverson apparently reminded his wife from time to time that he could easily hire someone to kill her for just $5,000. Nice guy.
Remarkable how many people still talk about him fondly, esp. ex-Sixers coach Larry Brown and some ex-teammates. Seemed to get the drinker's pass -- yeah he hurts people a lot and makes awful decisions, but that's not the real him; he was drunk at the time.
If I had to play 2-on-2 for my life and were limited to guys under 6' 1" for a teammate, I'd probably pick prime AI, give him the ball and get out of the way, but otherwise a pretty depressing life story.
He didn't get an interview with the Answer himself, so it's all from prior stories or people around him. Not a lot of depth in the basketball analysis, and a fair amount of repetition. Some of the repetition is I guess the nature of the bio under review (he and his posse got in another brawl?), but some reflected under-editing of the book. Author was particularly fascinated, for example, by the point that Iverson apparently reminded his wife from time to time that he could easily hire someone to kill her for just $5,000. Nice guy.
Remarkable how many people still talk about him fondly, esp. ex-Sixers coach Larry Brown and some ex-teammates. Seemed to get the drinker's pass -- yeah he hurts people a lot and makes awful decisions, but that's not the real him; he was drunk at the time.
If I had to play 2-on-2 for my life and were limited to guys under 6' 1" for a teammate, I'd probably pick prime AI, give him the ball and get out of the way, but otherwise a pretty depressing life story.
July 3, 2015
Kent Babb's book about Iverson and the way he pissed away a great pro basketball career, his family and loads of money is a hard read. The writing is great; Babb jumps from Iverson's accomplishments on the basketball court to revelations of him being an abusive drinker in the divorce court. It's his tale that's hard. It's sad to see someone as blessed with talent as AI just waste it.
I had followed Iverson since he was at Georgetown and knew of the bowling alley incident that led to his incarceration before college. When he came to nearby Memphis, I was thrilled with the chance to see him play. I never got to. He lasted 3 games before the Grizzlies and he parted ways. He had a hard struggle. No father, he was a drug-runner for his mother, friends slain in the street, the obligatory searching-for-a-father-figure-while-rejecting-authority issue.
But yet, there was a touching, heartfelt side to Iverson that Babb brought out in his book as well. Despite fighting with Philadelphia Daily News reporter Phil Jasner during much of his tenure with the 76ers, Iverson paid him tribute when Jasner died in 2010. He also cared deeply for Georgetown trainer Lorry Michel when she was treated for a brain tumor.
So, Iverson is a complex person. Amazing on the court, frustrating in life. We all loved watching him play, but fans hated watching him fall. Babb's book, while a tad confusing at first with the jumping back and forth, becomes such a great chronicle of a really troubled person who had so many chances, yet in his mode of self-destruction, lost them all.
I had followed Iverson since he was at Georgetown and knew of the bowling alley incident that led to his incarceration before college. When he came to nearby Memphis, I was thrilled with the chance to see him play. I never got to. He lasted 3 games before the Grizzlies and he parted ways. He had a hard struggle. No father, he was a drug-runner for his mother, friends slain in the street, the obligatory searching-for-a-father-figure-while-rejecting-authority issue.
But yet, there was a touching, heartfelt side to Iverson that Babb brought out in his book as well. Despite fighting with Philadelphia Daily News reporter Phil Jasner during much of his tenure with the 76ers, Iverson paid him tribute when Jasner died in 2010. He also cared deeply for Georgetown trainer Lorry Michel when she was treated for a brain tumor.
So, Iverson is a complex person. Amazing on the court, frustrating in life. We all loved watching him play, but fans hated watching him fall. Babb's book, while a tad confusing at first with the jumping back and forth, becomes such a great chronicle of a really troubled person who had so many chances, yet in his mode of self-destruction, lost them all.
May 16, 2015
You could call Allen Iverson an irresponsible prick, a deadbeat Dad, a verbally abusive husband, and someone who has little to no value for other people's time. You could also say he was loyal to a fault, a great friend, and the best player on the floor on most nights. Sadly, as Kent Babb's book unpacks, the former, and more negative traits are the ones that shine through, at least up to this stage of his life. Iverson was an incredible talent who never needed to practice hard, do off-season work, or really even make good decisions for the majority of his years.
Of course, those poor decisions and the overall bad behavior caught up with him once Father time started knocking on his door, and when he was no longer wanted in the NBA, or at home, things had come to what most would say is rock bottom. Babb does a nice job telling the story of The Answer, although at times it feels a bit too heavy handed (although that may just be the truth.) He bounces back and forth early on from Iverson's youth to his current life of loneliness sitting at chain restaurant bars. While it seems that most of Iverson's big issues stem from alcoholism, there are some deep seeded habits that plague him as well to this day.
It's sad to see a larger than life athlete exposed like this, but it's also a cautionary tale, and serves a greater purpose to those that looked up to him and those that will be tempted to repeat his mistakes.
Of course, those poor decisions and the overall bad behavior caught up with him once Father time started knocking on his door, and when he was no longer wanted in the NBA, or at home, things had come to what most would say is rock bottom. Babb does a nice job telling the story of The Answer, although at times it feels a bit too heavy handed (although that may just be the truth.) He bounces back and forth early on from Iverson's youth to his current life of loneliness sitting at chain restaurant bars. While it seems that most of Iverson's big issues stem from alcoholism, there are some deep seeded habits that plague him as well to this day.
It's sad to see a larger than life athlete exposed like this, but it's also a cautionary tale, and serves a greater purpose to those that looked up to him and those that will be tempted to repeat his mistakes.
June 18, 2016
I'm a lifelong Sixers fan and because of that, this was a hard book to read. The writing is excellent and the topic well-researched. However, it is sad. Iverson went from rags to riches and lost it all. He is not without fault: he brings much of it on himself through excessive drinking and a selfish attitude that doesn't respect others needs and schedules.
At the same time, he does some wonderfully generous things and you can see it in those who keep pulling for him to turn his life around. Larry Brown fought with him for years and wanted to leave on many occasions, yet he was there politicking for Iverson to be on the Olympic team and trying to get teams to sign him.
You also feel bad for the guy: his father left before he was born and his mother was a drug user. He was surrounded by sycophants who told him what he wanted to hear in order to leach off of him, rather than what he needed to be told. Those that tried to help him were chased off by those that did not want to.
And at the same time, you want to choke the guy for being a worthless husband and deadbeat dad and a crappy teammate.
It's a lot of conflict and you get torn a lot of ways reading it.
Kent Babb did an excellent job bringing it home.
At the same time, he does some wonderfully generous things and you can see it in those who keep pulling for him to turn his life around. Larry Brown fought with him for years and wanted to leave on many occasions, yet he was there politicking for Iverson to be on the Olympic team and trying to get teams to sign him.
You also feel bad for the guy: his father left before he was born and his mother was a drug user. He was surrounded by sycophants who told him what he wanted to hear in order to leach off of him, rather than what he needed to be told. Those that tried to help him were chased off by those that did not want to.
And at the same time, you want to choke the guy for being a worthless husband and deadbeat dad and a crappy teammate.
It's a lot of conflict and you get torn a lot of ways reading it.
Kent Babb did an excellent job bringing it home.
Read
April 25, 2016Not A Game was an amazing book. I am personally not a big fan of autobiographies but the way the author tells the story of Allen Iverson is like something never done before. A must read.
The author takes the life of a basketball legend and gives you the inside look at his life and journey to achieving his successes. Iverson expressed himself in ways not seen before for a person in his position. Iverson challenged the views and ideas of society by staying true to who he was, his actual identity. Babb uses AI’s life to answer a very essential question, in a society where ideas and images are being thrown at one daily how does one form an identity. Allen Iverson formed an identity that was as true himself as he thought he could be. The author shows how Iverson didn't allow his childhood circumstance determine his future outcome. Iverson being poor and his mother working very hard to provide for them push Iverson to be the best that he could be at whatever he played in order to provide for his mother. The life of Iverson shows many things that people can learn from.
I recommend this book to athlete and teens and adults of all ages.
The author takes the life of a basketball legend and gives you the inside look at his life and journey to achieving his successes. Iverson expressed himself in ways not seen before for a person in his position. Iverson challenged the views and ideas of society by staying true to who he was, his actual identity. Babb uses AI’s life to answer a very essential question, in a society where ideas and images are being thrown at one daily how does one form an identity. Allen Iverson formed an identity that was as true himself as he thought he could be. The author shows how Iverson didn't allow his childhood circumstance determine his future outcome. Iverson being poor and his mother working very hard to provide for them push Iverson to be the best that he could be at whatever he played in order to provide for his mother. The life of Iverson shows many things that people can learn from.
I recommend this book to athlete and teens and adults of all ages.
September 10, 2015
The biography Not a Game written by Kent Babb is about Allen Iverson's tough life and what he had to go through in his journey. Allen Iverson's also know as AI was a normal kid hanging around the streets of Virginia, but once he got on the court it was a different story. Allen Iverson kept his composure after almost everyday going from house to house. Also it was hard for him to get shoes because his family was poor. I found it very exciting and suspenseful because of all the ups and downfalls in his life.After starting the book and learning what he went through I just couldn't put it down. Some of the events Kent Babb talks about made me emotional and upset because I felt bad for him. The book made my expectations because it goes through every little event in his life. I feel that the book should go in depth about what happened once he finished going to Georgetown University and when he gets drafted. Anyone that is interested in basketball should read this book because it is a great story.
August 16, 2016
Incredible book----how could anyone go through 200 million dollars?
The book is well written, and it isn't written chronologically. It skips around quite a bit, but despite that, you should be able to follow it.
My advice is to build a one page Iverson timeline that you can consult when the author says something like
"It's March of 2009"...
Ok, where is Iverson then?
Is he with the Sixers, Denver, Detroit?
The book shows the demons that drove Iverson to bankruptcy---and also the softer side that those closest to him, including people who fired and traded him, truly loved about him.
It's an amazing story.
I saw another reviewer criticize the author because Iverson didn't contribute anything to the book.
The author states, both in the book and the afterword, that he tried to get Iverson to contribute to the book, but Iverson said, after some deliberation, that he would write his own. He never has.
The book is well written, and it isn't written chronologically. It skips around quite a bit, but despite that, you should be able to follow it.
My advice is to build a one page Iverson timeline that you can consult when the author says something like
"It's March of 2009"...
Ok, where is Iverson then?
Is he with the Sixers, Denver, Detroit?
The book shows the demons that drove Iverson to bankruptcy---and also the softer side that those closest to him, including people who fired and traded him, truly loved about him.
It's an amazing story.
I saw another reviewer criticize the author because Iverson didn't contribute anything to the book.
The author states, both in the book and the afterword, that he tried to get Iverson to contribute to the book, but Iverson said, after some deliberation, that he would write his own. He never has.
Read
January 6, 2017Not a game is about how an NBA superstar Allen Iverson who hits an unthinkable fall which leads to problems which causes him to enter a dark place. "People ask me all the time, do I think he can change, is there hope for Allen Iverson? And I think yes."
The author did a great job writing this book because it really touched me because it talks about how only the strong survive which inspires me because I look up how Allen Iverson went through hell and still managed to get back up, shake it off and keep moving. I learned that life is like a roller coaster there's ups and downs and you need to know how to deal with those obstacles or life won't be easy. "Only the strong the survive."
I would rate this book a five because it showed me that there's always struggles in life and you need to find a way to get through those struggles or you won't survive because only the strong survive. -Manny Biacho
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