Allen Iverson was always something of a beautiful mess during his time in the NBA. He was exhilarating to watch, fun to root for and a model of youthful rebelliousness (even when he wasn’t particularly young). A lot of fans who really got into basketball in the post-M.J. era were raised -- for better or worse -- on Iverson doing what Iverson did.
But what was once a beautiful mess is at this point just a mess.
A.I.'s run over the last few years has been tragic, any way you want to look at it. He burned his bridges in the NBA as a result of his radically diminishing skills and (allegedly) bad attitude. Then he got relegated to Turkey where, after a lot of initial hype, a calf injury robbed him of any chance to make a difference. Family drama, money problems and him begging for another chance to play in a league he helped define post-M.J. followed. And now, according to TMZ, things have gone from worse to even worse.
Per the report:
Allen Iverson's bank account has been commandeered by a Georgia judge .. who's garnishing the former NBA star's earnings so A.I. can repay a 6-figure debt to his flashy GA jeweler.
According to court papers obtained by TMZ .. Iverson was sued back in 2010 for allegedly stiffing Aydin & Company Jewelers on a $375,000 bill.
The records show .. A.I. never responded to the lawsuit .. so a default judgement was issued in favor of the jewelry store .. allowing A&C to collect $859,896.46 for the bling, court costs, interest and attorneys fees.
But A.I. still didn't pay .. so earlier this month . the judge signed off on an order which allows the store to recoup their loss directly from Iverson's Wells Fargo bank account.
It’s a little crazy that this is what it’s come to for a guy who once single-handedly carried the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals, won an MVP award despite standing all of six feet tall, and basically revolutionized basketball culture.
And by crazy, of course, I made very, very sad.
Related Content
Video: Clippers Blake Griffin Dunks on Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins; NBA Stars React
Video: Heat’s LeBron James Jumps Over John Lucas for Craziest Dunk Ever
Lakers Kobe Bryant is NBA’s Top Earner; Vanessa Bryant (Probably) Rejoices