ScreamingHoya
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Ted Valentine: Getting it wrong since 1979.
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Post by ScreamingHoya on Mar 8, 2010 12:46:36 GMT -5
AI did give back to the school. Our program was on its death bed, thanks to JT2's complacency. AI brought it back to life for the 2 years he was here. He was the only excitement of Georgetown Basketball in the 1990's, that got it back to remotely close to what it was in the 1980's. He was our Ewing in the 1990's. He actually prolonged JT2's retirement,imo, with the 2 years he was here. Zo's teams his last 2 year's here were a far cry of what his 1st 2 teams in were like. Othella's 1st 2 years here were an NIT bid and a barely got in NCAA appearence. And we saw what G-town basketball was like right after Iverson left. Iverson did his time here (no pun) and gave us exciting basketball, and kept Georgetown basketball relevant in the 1990's. where i'm quite sure kids like Jeff Green and Hibbert, etc. were old enough to remember seeing him play here. Ok, great, but that's not giving back. Once he left, has he so much as uttered the word Georgetown? Given a dollar back to the school or come to a game? No...
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Post by Fan Of The Game on Mar 8, 2010 12:50:33 GMT -5
I know I've actually defended AI before... I've tried to defend him, but he is way too fast for me.
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the_way
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
The Illest
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Post by the_way on Mar 8, 2010 12:54:12 GMT -5
He did talk about Georgetown.
when he was here, he busted his tail on the basketball court, put fans in the seats, and gave us wins, gave G-town basketball some relevancy again.
in turn he got the opportunity for an education and raise his draft stock.
Iverson has always been loyal to the person responsible for him being here...JT2.
He has the right do with his money what he pleases.
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guru
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Post by guru on Mar 8, 2010 12:56:44 GMT -5
Iverson was probably the greatest college basketball player I've ever seen play in person, but the guy has never been a good ambassador for the university and in fact has more often been an embarrassment to it. It's true that he kept the program relevant when it was teetering toward mediocrity, but I think taking him was a Faustian bargain that just wasn't worth it. He seems so diametrically different than all the other great former Hoya players - it's sad what he has reportedly done to himself. But he and Georgetown used each other when it fit their needs - it was pretty much a business relationship, and a dirty one at that.
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BigMike
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Post by BigMike on Mar 8, 2010 12:58:33 GMT -5
AI did attend some pre-season games at McD back in 1997-98, he has played with Gtown players over the summer at McD, I have heard him mention Georgetown a number of times in interviews and have seen him wear Gtown hats, jersey etc. in interviews. Has the guy donated $$ to the university - I'm not sure, but to say he hasn't acknowledged the school is not true. I would imagine once he is retired you might see AI around more often. I know I've actually defended AI before when people on here have bashed him, but actually, the more I read, the more I wonder why Hoya fans still like to claim this guy as one of our own. Now I could live with it if he just made some mistakes in his life. But my biggest problem is why he has never given anything back to this school. All our other big name alums have been present in one way or another in the last few years. Jerry Rice, who had no connection, became a part of our Midnight Madness. Jeff has brought NBA stars to McDonough, so people have seen Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley on campus. But never AI. He's never at a game. He's never at a Midnight Madness. Never anywhere. JTII gave him the opportunity of a lifetime, and AI ran with it as far as anyone could have. But I find it pretty appalling that he's never acknowledged the school that let JTII take that chance on him. So why do we still care about AI?
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the_way
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
The Illest
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Post by the_way on Mar 8, 2010 13:08:36 GMT -5
Iverson was probably the greatest college basketball player I've ever seen play in person, but the guy has never been a good ambassador for the university and in fact has more often been an embarrassment to it. It's true that he kept the program relevant when it was teetering toward mediocrity, but I think taking him was a Faustian bargain that just wasn't worth it. He seems so diametrically different than all the other great former Hoya players - it's sad what he has reportedly done to himself. But he and Georgetown used each other when it fit their needs - it was pretty much a business relationship, and a dirty one at that. Iverson wasn't that much different than a lot of players John Thompson recruited here. Let's not forget Mourning's associations with a notorious well-known guy in the city that Coach Thompson had to um ..."talk" to. However, the difference is Mourning had 4 years here to develop, where he could grow out of that and become the man he is today. Iverson only had 2 years. He had to leave due to his family's issues, but he wasn't ready in other aspects of his life. And, unfortunately, those needs were never addressed as we see today. Hopefully somebody can intervene before its too late. Just writing him off as if he werent part of us is insulting. Other Hoya players don't do that. His coach, JT2, doesn't do that. In fact i forget which player it was, maybe DJ Owens, had said that Iverson would talk to him and give him pointers about his game, and how Iverson would watch G-town games.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Mar 8, 2010 13:10:46 GMT -5
When someone is spiraling out of control, it's not the time to bury them, it's the time to rally and hope they figure it out.
The thing about being an athlete, so many of them don't realize how young they are when they are "done" with their career. The fact is as great as they have it in their prime, they often don't understand the harsh reality of the "end". It doesn't just apply to Iverson, it's something strange for people who grow up in an industry where people hover around just to be around them, and once their "status" drops, they are not important.
I'll say one thing--AI's worst decision was dropping David Falk. Falk has been called many things, but you can't say his clients aren't better off financially when their careers are over then the clowns Iverson aligned himself with. Getting money is great, having someone tell you how to keep/save/invest it is far more important.
Hope he finds his way-and as long as you are living, you always have a chance to turn it around, but it won't happen if he doesn't grow up and accept his faults. First step is owning up to mistakes and quit this "I'm INSERT AGE, I'm not perfect, I've learned to be...." speech of BS he recites in every interview. He needs to worry about himself/family and not some silly image of what he has been told he is to people.
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biggmanu
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by biggmanu on Mar 8, 2010 13:11:43 GMT -5
AI has never done anything to undermine Georgetown. In a way its almost better that he has distanced himself during the volatile periods of his life. Give the guy a break. He's a professional athlete with a family. He should be spending time with his family when he's not working. Hopefully we will see him around DC more when he's retired. He has always been gracious of JTII spoken very highly by his agent in his book "the Bald Truth". He'll never be able to one up Dikembe or Zo in terms of generosity to Georgetown. Lets take him for he who is and be happy that he matured with age and pray for him during a difficult time in his life.
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ScreamingHoya
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Ted Valentine: Getting it wrong since 1979.
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Post by ScreamingHoya on Mar 8, 2010 13:13:46 GMT -5
AI has never done anything to undermine Georgetown. In a way its almost better that he has distanced himself during the volatile periods of his life. Give the guy a break. He's a professional athlete with a family. He should be spending time with his family when he's not working. Hopefully we will see him around DC more when he's retired. He has always been gracious of JTII spoken very highly by his agent in his book "the Bald Truth". He'll never be able to one up Dikembe or Zo in terms of generosity to Georgetown. Lets take him for he who is and be happy that he matured with age and pray for him during a difficult time in his life. He hasn't done anything to undermine Georgetown...he should be spending time with his family when he's not working...be happy that he matured with age... The guy Editedes in trash cans at the Borgata- that's what he's done with his life...thanks for playing.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Mar 8, 2010 13:23:41 GMT -5
Maybe it's just me, and I know the timing of the most recent article brought this particular thread back to life, but I don't think this is the place for this angle of the discussion. Prayers and thoughts for the innocent 4 year old daughter is one thing. Judging how good of an ambassador for the program AI is or isn't, is another entirely.
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biggmanu
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Post by biggmanu on Mar 8, 2010 13:24:34 GMT -5
honestly though. I never expected AI to go as far as he did based on his attitude and his off court antics. The fact that the worst thing you can come up with his doing something to a trash can at the borgata is pretty amazing given all the stupid things athletes have done over that past decade.
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Post by williambraskyiii on Mar 8, 2010 13:33:28 GMT -5
Maybe it's just me, and I know the timing of the most recent article brought this particular thread back to life, but I don't think this is the place for this angle of the discussion. Prayers and thoughts for the innocent 4 year old daughter is one thing. Judging how good of an ambassador for the program AI is or isn't, is another entirely. Shut it.
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biggmanu
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by biggmanu on Mar 8, 2010 13:37:44 GMT -5
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tjm62
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Post by tjm62 on Mar 8, 2010 14:02:52 GMT -5
"Smith, who has covered Iverson closely for years, wrote in Monday's column that Iverson needs someone with "the ideal combination of compassion and toughness" in his life. And former Temple coach John Chaney said that person is John Thompson, Iverson's former college coach at Georgetown. "[Thompson] is the one guy who'll have a chance of slowing this train wreck down, who could wrap his arms around Iverson and have an impact, because clearly it has not been done," Chaney said, according to Smith. "But there's still this one question: Will [Iverson] listen?"
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ScreamingHoya
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Ted Valentine: Getting it wrong since 1979.
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Post by ScreamingHoya on Mar 8, 2010 14:17:14 GMT -5
Yeah, tjm62 and biggmanu- this is clutter within the same thread. The discussion about Iverson's poor ambassadorship started because of the article linked in the previous page regarding his alcoholism and gambling.
PS- I actually do care about past players, even those who aren't visible all that often. Kevin Braswell, Anthony Perry? Best of luck. Mike Sweetney, good looking out. But Iverson is and has always been a thug. A guy who could ball at Georgetown but who doesn't have an ounce of character.
Look at the comparison of two Hoyas- Jeff Green and Iverson, both marquee players taken in the top ten in the draft. Jeff is constantly working on his game, comes back to Georgetown to work on his own game as well as the games of other current players, and has been coming back to campus every summer since he graduated to finish his degree.
And Iverson? I reiterate- why do we care? He hasn't lifted a finger for the school since he graduated...
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biggmanu
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by biggmanu on Mar 8, 2010 14:43:27 GMT -5
Screaming. Thanks for playing clutter police. You contradict yourself within your same post and post clutter on top of clutter in a stuffy and negative fashion. Great work.
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hoyaalf
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
I like what your doing very much. Why squirrel hate me?
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Post by hoyaalf on Mar 8, 2010 15:23:42 GMT -5
I will certainly pray for this child, and his others as well, and for him who must support them.
-----------------------------------
1. Of all the recruits ever recruited here, AI was the least available to the positive influences provided here. It is doubtful even JT2 could help now, or if he'd want to try. I think he brought AI here the first time because he couldn't stand to see such magnificent talent go no further than money games on VA playgrounds.
2. If the dude has addictions, rule one is admission and constant humility. I don't smell that in the air.
3. Hell, his foundation link was taken down. No self-respect there.
4. How low is his bottom? which is 12 step talk for, 'when will even he be disgusted with himself?' Hope he doesn't carry.
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CAHoya07
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by CAHoya07 on Mar 8, 2010 15:41:28 GMT -5
One of the admins will probably relabel this "Allen Iverson Discussion" soon...
AI will always have a mixed legacy on the Hilltop. I just hope that he gets through this difficult period in his life.
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tashoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by tashoya on Mar 8, 2010 15:43:04 GMT -5
I hope AI gets whatever help he needs. Lets get off of our high horses here. Why are we making AI out to be Kevin Millen? It's not his job to promote Georgetown. It'd be nice if he did maybe or maybe not depending on your view of things. In any case, we don't know any other Georgetown folks that have had issues with alcohol or have done things that maybe they're not proud of? Come on. I know a guy quite well that I know for a fact cheated on his wife many times. I'd prefer that he got banned from a casino or 2 personally but that's just me. He still went to Georgetown, is still my friend and has straightened himself out. I hope for Iverson's sake that Big John does reach out to him and remind him of all that he has going for him including a program that, if Iverson so chooses, could really use his input. I've always wondered why the program didn't reach out to Victor Page after he got shot and nearly died. I thought that, at the least, Victor could be a role model for some of the kids as to what not to do. Georgetown, while I love it, is only the sum of its best and worst parts. I'd hardly think that AI is one of our worst. Even if he was doesn't make him less one of us. I'm hoping the University does all it can to help the guy out as he's clearly in need of it.
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TBird41
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Post by TBird41 on Mar 8, 2010 16:00:07 GMT -5
[quote author=strummer85 board=general thread=21559 post=366257 time=1268067083Jerry Rice, who had no connection, became a part of our Midnight Madness. [/quote]
Jerry Rice was at Midnight Madness b/c his daughter was a student on a dance team that was performing. He didn't just randomly show up.
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