The Man Who Was Almost a Man

I don't like sports, but I stumbled upon this Showtime documentary about former NBA star Allen Iverson and found it absolutely riveting.  In many ways, Iverson's life can be seen as a series of blessings and curses that played out on a grand scale.  On one hand, he was lucky enough to attract coaches and teachers who acted as parental figures when poverty prevented his biological parents from being effective guides into adulthood.  On the other hand, these adults couldn't prevent him from being unfairly convicted of three counts of "maiming by mob" connected to a racially motivated fight in a bowling alley. (Ironically the "maiming by mob" statute was originally intended to combat lynching).

Iverson was lucky enough to attract the attention of NBC's Tom Brokaw who did a story on him that highlighted his athletic potential, the harshness of his felony conviction and the resulting five year prison sentence.  Eventually his sentence was commuted by Virginia Governor Douglass Wilder, and his conviction was overturned.  Nevertheless, Iverson spent time in a prison work camp at the height of his career as a dual-sport athlete for a crime that video evidence proves that he did not commit.  Perhaps what looked like a chip on his shoulder or resistance to authority was PSTD.  He was 17 years old and authority had failed him.

Despite his criminal conviction, Iverson was able to earn an athletic scholarship to Georgetown University, and while there, he developed a nurturing relationship with coach John Thompson.  Unfortunately, he left Georgetown without a college degree in order to join the NBA.  How would Iverson been different if he had two additional years under Thompson's guidance to develop as a man?

Despite his prodigious talent,  Iverson  was never able to win a championship.  During his time in the NBA he seemed to be looking for a father figure who would provide unconditional support, yet he challenged those who would have offered it to him.  It was as if he was asking coaches and fans, "If I show you my worst would you still care about me?"  The answer was defiantly "no" and Iverson had to learn the hard way that the NBA is a business and not a family. The last quarter of the documentary is heartbreaking as it details Iverson's being shuttled from team to team looking for a home.   The film glosses over his divorce, financial issues, and struggles with alcohol but it is definitely insightful, emotionally engaging, and worth watching.

Iverson is available on Showtime on Demand.