Major Controversies Surrounding Allen Iverson: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Allen Iverson—discover key moments of controversy.

Allen Iverson, nicknamed "the Answer," is a retired American professional basketball player who played 14 seasons in the NBA. Predominantly a shooting guard and point guard, he debuted with the Philadelphia 76ers, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1997. A celebrated player, Iverson was an 11-time NBA All-Star, winning the All-Star Game MVP twice, and the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2001. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He is considered one of basketball's best scorers, ball handlers and one of the most influential athletes in American sports.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

February 14, 1993: Bowling Alley Altercation

On February 14, 1993, Allen Iverson and his friends were involved in an altercation at a bowling alley in Hampton, Virginia, resulting in his arrest and conviction on a felony charge.

1995: Conviction Overturned

In 1995, Allen Iverson's conviction was overturned by the Virginia Court of Appeals due to insufficient evidence, after serving four months in a correctional facility.

August 1997: Iverson Arrested for Gun and Marijuana Possession

In August 1997, Allen Iverson was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana after being stopped for speeding, and he was later sentenced to community service after pleading no contest.

2000: All-Star Selection and Trade Attempt

In 2000, Allen Iverson was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the first time, and the 76ers actively tried to trade him due to disagreements with the coach.

2000: Iverson Records Rap Single "40 Bars" and Faces Controversy

In 2000, Allen Iverson, under the moniker Jewelz, recorded a rap single called "40 Bars" that was alleged to have derogatory remarks about homosexuals, but he was unable to release it due to controversy and criticism.

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2002: Scoring Title and "Practice" Rant

In 2002, Allen Iverson earned his second consecutive scoring title, averaging 31.4 points per game despite injuries, and famously responded to criticism about missing practice with a rant that included the word "practice" 22 times.

2002: Iverson Accused of Domestic Dispute and Threatening Men

In 2002, Allen Iverson was alleged to have thrown his wife Tawanna out of their home after a domestic dispute and threatened two men with a gun while looking for her; however, all charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence.

2003: Randy Ayers Became Coach

Randy Ayers became the next coach of the 76ers in 2003, but was later fired. Also during the latter part of the 2003–04 NBA season, Iverson bristled under the disciplinarian approach of the Sixers' interim head coach Chris Ford leading to suspensions and fines.

February 24, 2004: Iverson Told Not to Return to Bally's Atlantic City Casino

On February 24, 2004, Allen Iverson urinated in a trash can at Bally's Atlantic City casino, resulting in casino management asking him not to return.

December 9, 2005: Iverson Involved in Dispute at Trump Taj Mahal Casino

On December 9, 2005, Allen Iverson visited the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and was overpaid $10,000 in chips by a dealer after winning a hand at a poker table. He refused to return the money when the dealer realized the mistake, leading to a heated argument.

2005: Iverson's Bodyguard Accused of Assault in Nightclub Incident

In 2005, Allen Iverson's bodyguard, Jason Kane, was accused of assaulting a man at a Washington, D.C. nightclub, leading to a lawsuit against Iverson for the injuries caused to the victim.

April 18, 2006: Iverson and Webber Late

On April 18, 2006, Allen Iverson and Chris Webber arrived late to the Sixers' fan appreciation night and home game finale. They were fined as a result. Trade rumors swirled during the off-season, but Iverson expressed his desire to remain a Sixer.

January 2, 2007: Iverson Fined For Criticizing Referee

On January 2, 2007, Allen Iverson was fined $25,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing referee Steve Javie after a game between the Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers. Iverson was ejected from the game after receiving two technical fouls.

January 6, 2007: Donaghy Referees Teach Iverson Lesson

Before Iverson's Nuggets played the Utah Jazz on January 6, 2007, Donaghy said he and the two other officials working the game agreed not to give Iverson favorable calls as a way to "teach him a lesson."

2007: Jury Awards Damages in Lawsuit Against Iverson

In 2007, a jury awarded Marlin Godfrey $260,000 in damages in a lawsuit against Allen Iverson for injuries caused by Iverson's bodyguard in a 2005 nightclub incident.

March 2009: Appeals Court Upholds Verdict in Lawsuit Against Iverson

In March 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the verdict in the lawsuit against Allen Iverson, stemming from a 2005 incident where his bodyguard assaulted a man at a nightclub.

December 2009: Donaghy Interview

In a December 2009 interview with 60 Minutes, Donaghy said he and fellow referees thought Iverson's fine was too light.

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2009: Iverson Involved in Bar Fight in Detroit

In 2009, there was a bar fight in Detroit in which Iverson's security guard assaulted a man.

August 2011: Iverson Sued for $2.5 Million in Damages

In August 2011, Allen Iverson was sued by an Ohio man for $2.5 million in damages, claiming that Iverson's security guard assaulted him in a 2009 bar fight in Detroit; however, the case was later dismissed by a federal judge due to lack of evidence.

2013: Iverson Accused of Kidnapping Children

In 2013, Allen Iverson was accused of kidnapping his children and refusing to return them to their mother, but he denied the claim, and his ex-wife later recanted.