All Things

If you haven't caught it, do check out the early Iverson retrospective on the Leauge's website. It got me to thinking about his narrative - and how wrong we may have gotten it.

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I'd forgotten how athletic the young Iverson was. Later in his career he was associated almost purely with doggedness. meanness. Iverson is(was) the post-Jordan era's infantryman, amassing points through force of will - almost as though it were a spiritual endeavor. But look back - look at the elevation on those dunks or the acceleration as he crashed through the paint to send home a missed free-throw. Even the jaundiced and embittered Iverson was once a youth propelled by his now forgotten athletic gifts, pure enthusiasm and resltess potential. Sometime the days before it all starts making sense are most well-reasoned of all.





Can young Iverson teach us anything about Brandon Jennings? Reflecting on both Jennings' Saturday performance where he dropped 55 on Golden State and the early Iverson footage, I was struck by how much the young man's performance was more evocative of old Iverson's game. Jennings accelerated and lept in ways that Iverson no longer could once he passed his prime. He played "within the offense" in way that Iverson could only consider an indignity. However, the array of shots mid-range to deep jumpers and sprawling lay-ups (not dunks) reminded me of what A.I. became once he shed his exuberance and set out on his journey of vindication all while bearing the hopes and dreams of a generation and burdened with the shame of having ruined the sport.

Does this portend well for Jennings? Having early on established a reputation as a savvy gunner who can still facilitate for others, will Jennings earn a place in the public's better graces that Iverson is forever denied? Jennings is all culimation and fulfillment while Iverson was petulence, arrogance and rebellion?

Regardless - I think what I may have learned this weekend is how much the early days matter. A.I.'s transformation from potent supernova to ruthless survivor informs what we feel about who he is and what he does now, even if we have forgotten what came first. I don't know what we will be saying about Brandon Jennings 15 years from now - but I'm sure what happened on Saturday will in some way steer the conversation, whether we realize it or not.