Only the Strong Survive: The Odyssey of Allen Iverson

276 Pages·2003·0.78 MB·English

by  Larry Platt

ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE
THE ODYSSEY OF ALLEN IVERSON
L A R R Y P L A T T
For Bet (as in Black Entertainment Television), my true heart . . .
And in memory of Alex, who changed my life... and Iverson mentor
Sue Lambiotte, a role model for teachers everywhere.
Invisible Man/You got the whole word watching . . .
—Mos Def, “Hip-Hop”
I think in a combination of abstract visual patterns and muscular sensa-
tions; it is only later, when I wish to speak or write to another person,
that I translate these thoughts into words.
—Albert Einstein
Acknowledgments vi 7. Cru Thik 93

S
Introduction: Tupac with 8. Respect 123
T
N a Jumpshot 1 9. Loyalty 153
E
1. Newport Bad News 11 10. The Panther 173
T
N 2. Only the Strong Survive 23 11. The Answer 189
O 3. Praying Hands 33 12. Hold My Own 223
C
4. The Soldier 49 Epilogue 245
5. Fear No One 59 Afterword 261
6. The Bulldog 73
About the Author
Other Books by Larry Platt
Credits
Cover
Copyright
About the Publisher

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T
his project grew out of conversations some three years ago with
Ann and Allen Iverson about penning the Iverson family auto-
biography. This is not that book; instead, this is an originally
reported, part bio, part meditation on the phenomenon that is Allen Iver-
son. But I am still deeply indebted to both Allen and Ann, for their toler-
ance of my questions over the years and their constant good cheer. Allen,
in particular, has always been a straight shooter. I have tried to write
about him with affection, but secure in my conviction that he’d have little
respect for hagiography.
I am indebted to Dana Albarella and her posse at Regan Books, who
were committed to this book from the start. David Black is, as always, not
only an all-star agent, but a great friend.
David Teel of the Newport News Daily Press, a superb columnist,
researched and shaped the Virginia sections of this book with great care
and expertise. He interviewed countless sources, and his perspective on
Allen and the times that spawned him was always dead-on. As a result of
our close working relationship, I’m happy to say David has become a
good friend as well.
Mark Kram and his generous editors at the Philadelphia Daily News
provided me with an exclusive jailhouse interview with Allen’s biological
father, Allen Broughton. In addition, Mark was, as always, eager to share
his uniquely thought-provoking take on Iverson.
Andrew Corsello may be the strangest genius I’ve ever met. His input
on the manuscript was invaluable. He reminds me of Bubbachuck: a defi-
ant, spiritual creative artist who is always “keepin’ it real.”
Corsello is a charter member of my posse. We call ourselves Cru Thin,
’cause we’re a little light in the muscle department but have really high
SAT scores. There’s Scott MacDonald, whose creative thinking about
Iverson’s place in the culture at large runs through these pages. There’s
Ben Gay Wallace, whose insight into human nature, combined with his
ignorance of all things athletic, made him a valuable manuscript reader.
| ACKNOWLEDGMENTS |
Bob Huber is not only a good friend and trusted confidant, but a onetime
annoying officemate as well. Rounding out the Cru: Ken Shropshire, Bob
Baber, Joey Joe, Eric Reilly, Tex Cobb, Janet Ake, John Lucas, Iain Levi-
son, and Vernon Maxwell. An all-star lineup of folks to watch big games
with.
Over the last few years, I interviewed and/or picked the brains of close
to one hundred sources for this book, and am indebted to each and every
one. Space prevents me from listing them by name. You all know who
you are and how much I appreciate your candor. In addition, special
thanks to the Philadelphia 76ers, particularly the ever-professional PR
department, headed by Karen Frascona and Chris Wallace.
There were countless writers whose stories about Allen Iverson I
relied on for background material and who I now humbly salute: John
Smallwood, Phil Jasner, Stephen A. Smith, Ashley McGeachy-Fox, Rick
Reilly, Gary Smith, Thomas Boswell, and J. A. Adande, among others.
Also, Kevin Maguire and Suzann Vogel provided expert editorial
assistance, and Rich Rys conducted some great last-minute interviews
while I was pounding out pages.
Thanks to many magazine editors over the years, including: Eliot
Kaplan, Ilena Silverman, Stephen Fried, Loren Feldman, Bill Shapiro, and
Tim Whitaker.
Finally, a big shout-out to my wonderful parents, siblings, nieces, and
nephew. And a special nod to Alex. I couldn’t have written this book
without his support and unflinching affection. He had me at “Meow.”
vii
Introduction
TUPAC WITH A JUMPSHOT