– Remember when rap music dominated movie soundtracks?

– Rest easy XXL Freshman 2011, “Class Dismissed” and there will be no more grades and report cards. Read the rest of this entry »

Basketball is the one sport where the story of an individual often times rivals that of a franchise. It is not always for the betterment of the team or sport either, but it is what it is. Around this time last year, the very public downfall of Allen Iverson played out like movie. He had gone from the unequivocal “bad boy” in the NBA to one of those former superstars and pop culture figures that are only spoken of in the “you remember when?” sense. Allen’s foray into playing ball overseas was always taken with a hint of doubt, at least by me. But in a weird sense, my current connection to the guy is stronger now than it ever was when he played in the NBA.

Sports stories have always captivated me, even the train wrecks. Scratch that, especially the train wrecks. They’re real life tales of figures many viewed as larger than life and, foolishly at times, untouchable. Yeah, I’m a basketball nerd. Shoot me. There are not many careers more intriguing and tumultuous as A.I.’s. Think back to a decade ago when he was arguably the league’s best player and without question the most courageous.

Bubba Chuck was Chocolate City royalty during the NBA’s 2001 All-Star Weekend taking home MVP honors. Yet, the urban legends of those 72 hours helped create the mystique which is Allen Iverson’s chinked armor. He avoided sleep. He partied every moment he could. And he recuperated by dropping 25 points, five assists and five steals in Sunday’s nightcap. That’s not just me making stuff up either. Andrew Sharp of SB Nation recounts the same tale.

Supposed highs like this for “The Answer” make the realities of his lows uniquely difficult to take in. It happens to thousands of other ex-players obviously, but that is beyond the point. Sunday, the former most valuable player of the NBA’s midseason classic allegedly watched the very same game in Atlanta’s “Wet Willies.” Alone. In sweat pants. To residents of the A, this probably isn’t news, so feel free to stop reading here. Where I’m from, however, if a person is staring off into space in the club while wearing sweats, he’s going through some things even he cannot truly figure out.

Stephen A. Smith said last year A.I. needed more than a prayer. He still does. At some point, he will realize the dream of playing basketball is just that – a dream – and life does not end with the last 20-second timeout. Once the hardest man on a basketball court is now seen as a joke by the same people who probably idolized him and such is life. At some point though, the Hall Of Fame will come calling for Iverson. He failed to win any championships and probably made just as many enemies as confidants along the way.

I guarantee one thing. His induction speech will go down as one of the most honest moments in sports history. It has to.

Previously Posted — When Answers Turn Into Questions

Jynx Maze

Allen Iverson’s eBay Sale [The Urban Daily]

Experts React To OnSmash, RapGodfathers Seizure [RapFix]

Jim Jones, Miss Info, Lil’ B & More Fire Back On Federal OnSmash Shutdown [Vibe]

The High Financial Cost of HIV/AIDS in the Black Community [Black Voices]

Jynx Maze: Barrio Booty Cutie [Spizzy] Read the rest of this entry »

AI finally arrives in Turkey to resume playing basketball and the scene was nothing short of mob-tastic. Check the associated video for the full effect. Read the rest of this entry »

Bobbi Dean

Justin Bieber Nails Police Trooper With Water Balloon [PopEater]

Eli Porter, 50 Tyson and Making Fun of the Disabled [The BVX]

Allen Iverson To China? [Slam]

Raekwon Gives Advice To Older Rappers Seeking Comebacks [AHH] Read the rest of this entry »

Eka Samone

Georgia Woman Charged Extra by Nail Salon for Being Overweight [Black Voices]

Bees, Bears, and Big-Butted Burglars: This Week in Policing [Uproxx]

When Fans Throw Things At Rappers [Complex]

Know Ebonics? The Justice Department Wants You [TIME] Read the rest of this entry »

“To my fans: You all know that my life isn’t perfect. I am going through some very tough times right now, like I am sure that we all do from time to time. However, I will stand tall like always with “rhino” thick skin. Even though I have become used to hearing people say things about me that aren’t true, it still hurts. I encourage you to continue your ongoing support and I want you to trust that this is another obstacle in my life that, with God’s help I will overcome. God Bless You All.” – Allen Iverson

The most powerful drugs are the ones you only experience once. For those who (un)lucky enough to attain it, once fame is gone, it’s gone forever. All you can do is just hope your high lasts longer than the next man’s. Watching celebrities, many of whom are role models willingly or not, “come down” off that high is never easy. In some cases, it’s downright painful. We’ve all admired someone outside of our family, whether they be a musician, athlete, politician or activist. For myself, it was always Michael Jordan. For so many others I grew up with, Allen Iverson was that guy.

There’s no need to run through his athletic catalog, we’ve done that before. Figuring out where he ranks all-time? The experts are better equip to answer that. You see, I remember the days of high school when the main debates at the lunch table were either about basketball or rap music. When you’re in high school, not much else matters. I was never his biggest supporter, although I knew his talent was only bestowed upon him by a higher power. Then again, I was never his biggest detractor either, although there were parts of his game which I didn’t care for.

Looking back, the guy was one of the most polarizing figures of my generation. We all loved Jordan, but for people around my age, Iverson is someone we grew up with. We saw “the Jordan crossover” just like we heard the hardships throughout his life. My generation embraced it all, the ups and downs. This was the same person who had guys wearing socks on their arm during pick up games mimicking the sleeve he wore like a badge of honor. Or donning cornrows just because females thought #3 was “cute” with them. That’s power man. But it’s power which is often the fall to any empire.

At some point, that same power A.I. used in his favor caught up with him. That power allegedly presented itself in the form of gambling and alcohol addiction. Now, with a career basically over, a marriage already half way there and inevitable alimony and child support charges for five children, his future is about as certain as the ankles of those who once guarded him. I blame Iverson for what his life has come to and not preparing for life after basketball. But, like Michael Jackson, I also question those in concert with him. Different celebrity, same outcome. The more famous one becomes, the less true friends they have in their inner circle. Where was this concern when dude was throwing his life away in casinos or with a bottle? Where were his friends when he was buying out bars? At this point, who cares? It’s all hindsight now.

Knowing now, what we didn’t know a few weeks ago, those tears he shed mean so much more. He probably knew these troubles were on the verge of transitioning from private matters to public spectacles. “The Answer” wasn’t crying only because he was back in Philly. Nah, not even. He was crying because basketball was his only retreat from real life. The story defining Allen Iverson isn’t uncommon though. It’s probably thousands of stories like this happening across the country, A.I.’s profession just sets him apart. Still, it doesn’t make the situation less tragic. Looking at the legacy and aura that is Bubba Chuck, dominance and heart have allowed him to clear most hurdles since he stepped on Georgetown’s campus nearly two decades ago.

He’s went toe-to-toe with Kobe, while out dueling Vince Carter when he was “Half Man, Half Amazing.” He even immortalized Tyronn Lue, with one step. Not to mention, Allen’s been the source of many a headache for opposing teams and coaches for years. It’s just crazy to realize he’s now facing a defensive attack no one has ever truly figured out: life.

Related – Stephen A. Smith: Iverson Needs More Than A Prayer [Philly.com]

The week where the rap world went all out…everywhere we went.

– LC’s fresh got respected… by someone other than us.

– The world is at John & Bryce’s fingertips, while Gilbert’s continues to slip away.

– Word brought a new meaning to the term “Holy War”.

– Waka Flocka got flamed over his chain. Read the rest of this entry »

Last night, somewhere in a gold-plated 5th Avenue penthouse, David Stern was on his knees praying to His Holiness that Allen Iverson catches a bad hand, blows up and gets arrested at an Atlantic City casino directly before Valentine’s Day. Three-hundred miles away in Boston, Ray Allen was pulling out of some blonde bean pie in order to cuss out his flat-screen for delivering the following headline.

“Iverson Among All-Star Game Starters.” Read the rest of this entry »

During last Wednesday night’s game, the Pistons’ Rodney Stuckey did not push Iverson. Nor did Iverson “slip.” Read the rest of this entry »

The city of brotherly love was out in full effect to welcome back their prodigal son Allen Iverson last night.  And to reward them for their blind loyalty, AI AI² put on a show.  Andre Iguodala went off on the Denver Nuggets for 31 points.  And for all his efforts, his best shot of the night didn’t even count.  Turning around and casually heaving the ball the length of the court right after the half-time buzzer sounded, it rolled around the rim for effect before slinking through the nylon.

With the frequency in which we see these kinds of shots, David Stern might want to think about adding the full-court shot to the All-Star weekend.  It couldn’t do any worse than 2 Ball & they might actually get LeBron to participate… because we know he’s not practicing dunks in his spare time.

Keani Cochelle x Hotcakes For Breakfast

Nike Sportswear x UNDFTD X Livestrong Tee [Daily Drop]

Memorable Sports Scandals [Yep Yep]

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Models Power Ranking [Gunaxin]

Modern Uses For the Cannabis Plant [HMJ]

MC Hammer Gets Equity In Cash4Gold [AHH]

R. Kelly Goes In On Trey Songz [Miss Jia] Read the rest of this entry »

Fans and enthusiasts can now rejoice and breathe a sigh of relief. Allen Iverson has returned to the “City of Brotherly Love.” The news that had plenty of supporters in a tizzy, is now a mere afterthought as he’s set to give his first NBA team a boost in their roster. No surprises here. Did anyone really believe the league would let a capable marquee player sit out without a bigger probable cause than a cry for attention? Who does he look like? Latrell Sprewell? Read the rest of this entry »

Eyes On Destiny

Problems of Brad Pitt: Pretty Lower Ninth Public Housing Pissing People Off? [Gawker]

Department of Defense Buys 2,200 PS3s to Upgrade Supercomputer [Gizmodo]

Mia X Talks Her Hiatus And New Music [HHDX]

Nike Air Max LeBron VII “Christmas” [TSG]

Some Cool Keyboard Tricks That Few People Know About [MakeUseOf]

The History Of Ramen [Maxim] Read the rest of this entry »

After a few weeks of speculation, Allen Iverson, one of my favorite athletes ever and one of the most controversial of my lifetime, is publicly hanging up his famed Reeboks. Unhappy with his playing time in Memphis, AI apparently was unable to find any team willing to take a flyer on him. As a Celtics fan I can tell you this: He’s better than Eddie House. Read the rest of this entry »