Allen Iverson: Hall of Famer

September 09, 2016 by Soul On Ice

In life, there are some things that are an absolute certainty. For some people, naming a favorite book or a favorite teacher growing up evokes memories despite those instances likely being in the rearview mirror of their lives. However, it is rarely a desire to go back to those times. It is more of a recognition of the things and forces that helped shape how people view the world.

That favorite book sparked, or contributed to, an intellectual awakening, the seeds of curiosity being planted in a fertile mind. That favorite teacher led to a passion for learning, learning in a conventional or unconventional setting, a formal or informal matter and, perhaps, led to becoming a teacher later down the line as well. In terms of the game of basketball, there is one player who played the game and completely revolutionized the approach in the lives of then-teenagers to the now-mid 30s crowd, and that player is Allen Iverson.

Sports fandom 101: Part 2 - Despondency

June 08, 2016 by Soul On Ice in Sports Fandom 101

Part One was posted Monday. Today is part 2 of the Sports Fandom 101 series.

Despondency (as defined by Dictionary.com)

Depression of spirits from loss of courage or hope; dejection.

Being a sports fan is a lot of things: fun, exciting, exhilarating. It is also painful, frustrating, and intoxicating. When it comes to the reasons listed, all of them can, in some form or fashion, lead to feeling despondent, to feeling completely and utterly dejected.

Sports fandom 101

June 06, 2016 by Soul On Ice

There are times when being a sports fan is the ultimate high. When your favorite team or player is playing, it brings a level of excitement and anticipation that can be higher than any other particular feeling. Shoot, it can feel that way even when neither team is one you ride with, which is the case this year with The 2016 NBA Finals. There's also the feeling of stress, which is odd considering that being a fan rarely has an impact on the action on the floor. Sure, there's home court advantage, but when it comes to professional athletes competing for the ultimate prize, how important is a home crowd for real?

I am not a role model: 20 years later

March 30, 2016 by Soul On Ice

A role model is defined as a person whose behavior, example, or success can be emulated, especially by young people. A role model isn’t confined to how much money a person makes, how many material things one can buy, and what profession one plies their trade in. A role model is simply someone who does things in a positive way, someone who people can look at, with universal respect, as someone who takes pride in what they do.

Nike made this clear in a 30-second commercial back in the early-90s when Charles Barkley announced to the world six words that reverberated loud and clear:

I am not a role model.

In 1993, as a ten-year-old kid two months shy of turning eleven years old, it made sense. Charles Barkley played basketball, played basketball as well as anyone in the NBA and was a great example for anyone who played the game. However, as a kid, it was never a thing to say “I want to be like Charles Barkley.” Even at ten years old, it was obvious that Sir Charles played the game and that was it (Newsweek Staff, 1993). He was paid, in his words, to wreak havoc on the basketball court.