Thread by @doctorcypher

It’s the 18th anniversary of @alleniverson sharing his thoughts on “practice”. And it gives us a good opportunity to remember that context is important.

https://twitter.com/SInow/status/1258418825243942913

After heading to the NBA Finals in 2001, Iverson was still dealing with the emotions from an early playoff exit after the Sixers lost in the 1st round to the playoffs. espn.com/nba/recap?game…

Iverson played that series w/ a broken hand. He missed the last 14 games of the regular season due to that broken hand. He still averaged 41 mpg and 30ppg in the series. Almost singlehandedly bringing them to a decisive Game 5 after being down 0-2

basketball-reference.com/boxscores/2002…

And, what we know about loss and disappointment, it brings up other issues of loss that we set aside when our sport or job keeps us busy. Iverson lost his best friend, Rashaan Langford to gun violence in October 2001, just as the season was starting.

dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-20…

Another quote from the same press conference.

And finally, we are talking about ALLEN IVERSON. A man who played with absolute abandon and did things few men of his height and stature in the NBA ever accomplished. A quick primer:

youtube.com/embed/3W14pRfh…

So when someone in the press asks him about his dedication to “practice” and:

“Not the game I go out there and die for and play every game like it’s my last”

We need to see it as the response of someone who knows he gives everything to his craft and is being questioned

We need to see it as the response of someone battling loss, upon a likely history of difficulty and trauma from his youth. Someone who is tired, sad, & in pain. Wiped out from giving something his all & coming up short

Happy #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth  everyone.

#practice?

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