Allen Iverson, the “Ghetto Hoop Star!”

The title of this documentary that came out in 2014 on a network called Netflix, is called, “Iverson”. The director is named Zatella Beatty.  Beatty is an actor, producer, and director. He is also known for the movie, “Sister Act” (1992), and also, “Two can play at that game” (2001). The film was very successful, having four out five star’s on Netflix and being on T.V. everybody seemed to be interested in this thug super athlete and what his story was. I chose this film because I love the game of basketball! I have wanted to be in the NBA ever since I was a little kid. Basketball is MORE than just a game! I love playing, watching, and teaching the game of basketball. The people in this documentary were Allen Iverson, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, which are all NBA Stars, also Larry Brown and Tom Brokaw which are coaches of basketball. The script was all personal opinions and the narrator seem to always focused on the negative aspect of the superstar Iverson.

Here is an example of what the camera mostly focused on. Usually being one on one interviews, also with Iverson playing in college and in the NBA. There was a scene change where it flashed drugs, knives, and guns, when Iverson was young, and then flashed to Iverson sitting in a car, when he was an adult, signing autographs. This scene was telling us that Iverson grew up around a tough place, but ended up making it big, despite all he had to go through, when he was growing up in the projects.

This picture is of Allen Iverson and the coach of Georgetown University. Head coach John Thompson. He had a big understanding of Iverson. “We both respected each other.” -John Thompson. Thompson brought Iverson on his Division one basketball team when no other team did. Iverson being the best high school player to play in his time for basketball and football, he got into trouble with the law, and spent time in jail, before all of this happened Iverson’s high school coach had, almost every, Division one school wanted Iverson until he got into trouble with the law. Coach Thompson gave him another chance and helped him get into the NBA.

This documentary showed us that no matter who you are, you can make it to the NBA. If you are skilled enough, try your hardest, and never give up. It gives players who are somewhat shorter than six foot hope, also shows that even if you are from a broken home, you can still make it into the NBA. The music was produced by Cori Jacobs. He played 2Pac, “Dear Mama”, and The Notorious B.I.G. “Mo Money Mo Problems”. The setting that really stood out to me in this documentary was when Iverson was interviewed after losing in the playoffs. Iverson was having a troubled year, and everyone was asking him why he was missing practice. He then ranted on about, “We are here talking about practice?” The media made it look like he didn’t want to practice because he thought he was too good, when really he was saying he lost his best friend and had a lot going on with family matters. He then started to get upset and left the interview. The setting was that was in this interview had a microphone, many reporters, and Allen Iverson on a booth answering the questions. I didn’t like this setting because I felt that they were attacking Iverson rather than acknowledging his accomplishments and all his been through. Reporters build you up, just to break you down, so they have a story.

 

In the NBA everything is very organized, controlled, and protected. The players are idols and need to be good example to the world so the organization looks good. Iverson did not care, and was the first NBA player with cornrows, and tattoos. This however caused him to be criticized by the NBA and didn’t like that he was doing this. He did not care and wasn’t going to be controlled, he wanted to be himself and so preceded to do so. In one setting of this documentary they were introducing the Philadelphia starting line up in the NBA and when they introduced Iverson there was a spot light on Iverson. There was only one special  effect and it was, flashing of drugs and guns. It represented of what was around Iverson’s living area, making it more dramatic to get the point across that he grew up in a bad neighborhood.

This is an example of Allen Iverson’s famous crossover. In this GIF he is crossing the greatest NBA player ever to play (Michael Jordan). It is the most famous Cross Over ever, I believe. This documentary gave me motivation, chills, and happiness. Motivation because I do plan on playing basketball overseas after I get my degree, chills because Allen Iverson was against all of the odds, but still made it into the NBA and hall of fame, happiness because he is happy and says he has no regrets. This documentary is a good example of people who don’t believe they can do something. I will put a link of the documentary at the end of the reference page!

IVERSON DOCUMENTARY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TCjK4jRDfw

 

“#letusbeopen.” : Spotlight: Allen Iverson Retires. Web. 12 Apr. 2016.

“Unofficial Game Ball: The Rise & Fall of Allen Iverson.” Unofficial Game Ball: The Rise & Fall of Allen Iverson. Web. 12 Apr. 2016.

“Thread: Basic Lighting Terminology.” Filmmaking Forums RSS. Web. 12 Apr. 2016.

“GIF: Allen Iverson Crossover on Michael Jordan | Gifrific.” Gifrific. Web. 12 Apr. 2016.