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Big Players Come in Small Packages

Standing at 6-0 tall and weighing 165 pounds, Allen Iverson is specimen the league has never seen before. AI is having an MVP season, averaging more than 33 points a game and handing out 8 assists. New Head coach Morris Cheeks is giving Allen all the freedom he needs on offense, and AI has responded - big time! Now that Iverson has reached the ripe age of 30 he?s grown up. Throughout all the turmoil surrounding him he?s grown into a man. He?s accepted the responsibilities that money, fame and having a family entail.

It?s funny, a few years ago all mentioning AI would automatically bing up references to when he refused to practice when he was coached by Larry Brown. Numerous NBA writers got on their pedestals and pointed down to him as the example of all that is wrong with the game. Adding fuel to the media fire was the clothes that Iverson showed up to games and sat on the bench on clothes didn?t look ?professional.?

It?s a shame that the media is turning a blind eye to the maturation of the NBA?s best players. When he was struggling journalists were quick to shed light on his mistakes, but now that he?s matured they are slow to make fans aware of the positive things that he does. ?A lot of times I just reacted instead of thinking," Iverson admitted in an interview. "That`s what got me in a lot of situations that I`ve been in, even before I got into the league. I had a lot of growing up to do. A lot of times, I learned the hard way".