Pinocchio, Allen Iverson, and The Island of Bad Boys
If you are familiar with the story of Pinocchio, you will recall he followed the wrong crowd and wound up on the
Island of Bad Boys. To a kid, the island of bad boys looked like a paradise. There were amusement parks, nonstop eating and drinking of all the favorite foods, no rules at all. Yippppeee! Do what you want. No parents, bedtimes, or anything to cramp one's style. The shocking result however, was a transformation. Pinocchio the puppet wanting to be a boy had turned into a donkey instead. Can it be that unbridled fun and pleasure will turn someone into a jackass? In the case of Allen Iverson it did.
Allen Iverson is a very good basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers. He is so good, he has gotten away with some pretty big runins with his coach. Superstars often behave badly. They adopt an attitude they are above rules that govern others. They see themselves as special cases. They refer to themselves in the third person. John Strain would never do that himself.
The latest thing with AI, Allen Iverson certainly not artificial intelligence, is he missed about 12 days of practice with a bruised knee. He was released to play and his coach wanted to bring him in the game off the bench. Well, AI does not come off the bench. AI is a starter. Therefore, protecting his reputation and showing little kids how to handle a dis, he takes off his uniform and sits out of the game. His team lost, but AI's point was made. I guess he showed them.
In case there was a misunderstanding about AI's level of conceit and low class, he removed all doubt with a locker room rant the next day. Obviously feeling justified by his actions, he defended his behavior. In an ebonic rant, AI told the camera he had never seen an Olympic champion come off the bench. He had never seen a former MVP come off the bench. Then why should he come off the bench? Allen Iverson is a starter. I do not know about the starter part, but AI is certainly a jerk lacking in class. He puts the "I" in team and the word team isn’t supposed to have an “I”
AI and Pinocchio share something in common. When they were exposed to getting what they wanted they both turned into asses. AI may have exceeded Pinocchio to become a total asshole.
What burns me up is looking at this man with obvious, unquestioned talent. This places him in a unique position to do a lot of good. He is idolized by children and a lot of grown ups. As far as basketball ability is concerned, he deserves it. What does he do with this unique opportunity? In my opinion, he squanders it. He is so self absorbed he somehow feels justified in acting like a little baby. Often when these superstars are asked about this example / role model thing, they get upset and deny they have any influence.
Someday, when this little boy grows up, if he grows up, I hope he realizes what a prick he was and does something about it. He will not always be "the man." Fame and talent is fleeting. He may someday wake up, look in the mirror and wonder where those donkey ears came from. I wonder if he has a Gemini Cricket whispering in his ear. If he does, I hope he starts listening.
Now contrast AI with people you know. Do you know anyone who is really happy, but does not have a lot of reason to be? I know a lot of folks like this. I work with them at the hospital. Some have mental illnesses that make their lives impossible by most people's standards, yet they smile and laugh. They appreciate a free coke or a kind word. Some folks I am thinking of have severe physical handicaps and they are having a happy life anyway. They have nothing materially or by way of fame like AI. Isn't it funny, how those who should demonstrate the most appreciation and gratitude often display the least. Conversely, the ones seemingly least likely to be grateful may exude the most.
I guess it is a mystery. Too bad for AI, he is the one to lose. He obviously does not "get it", life that is. Maybe someday he will, I hope so, I don't like to see anyone miss out.
Allen Iverson chose to not play yesterday, sitting on the bench in street clothes as his teammates lost to the Pistons. "Why would I come off the bench?" Iverson said. "I've been a starter for eight years. I'm a starter. I'm not the sixth man."
So what do you think?
Now read Becky's post. She tackles the same topic, but from a different perspective.Until the next time
John Strain
Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 8:39AM 
Apparently this is an actual photo taken from an advertisement with the following caption:
