Allen Iverson (nicknamed AI) is sitting out the 2010 NBA All-Star game after fans voted 
him in despite woeful statistics in a season in which he has hardly played at all. Despite putting up lackluster numbers which include scoring less than 15 points a game while only playing in 22 of 52 regular season games (42% of his team’s games) the Philadelphia 76ers guard was still voted in by fans to be a starter in the 2010 NBA All-Star game.
The voting in of Iverson to all-star status at a stage in his career when he is clearly only a shell of the player he once was has caused perceived embarrassment for Allen Iverson with regards to the notion that his unfairly taking the spot of a more deserving younger player only draws more attention to the current shortcomings in his game. The 34 year old Allen Iverson who notoriously was a disciplinarian’s worst nightmare is now viewing his basketball abilities from a much more humbling perspective.
Just three days before the NBA All-Star game in Dallas, Texas Iverson released a statement quietly saying that he will not be participating in the all-star game for personal reasons. Iverson is alleging that he can’t play in the all-star game because his daughter has recently come down with an illness. Basketball fans that have been closely following Iverson for years are understandably skeptical about buying his excuse. Even Iverson proponents believe that if Iverson was in his prime the opportunity to showcase his skills is something that he wouldn’t miss for anything short of a death in his immediate family. Those skeptical of Allen Iverson’s excuse for missing the all-star game are quick to point out that even Allen has to admit to himself that his presence on the court with the best players of today would only promote more discussion about how rapidly his stock has declined.
Outspoken NBA Hall of Famer and television personality Charles Barkley has even weighted in on the issue weeks earlier as to whether or not Iverson should accept the all-star selection despite knowing full well that he is not deserving of it. Barkley, who is never one to mix words, flat out said something to the effect that Allen Iverson should turn down the all-star invitation to let a more deserving player go in his place.
Whether you feel sorry for the position that Allen Iverson is in or feel vindicated that a perceived selfish individual is getting his just deserts is a matter of opinion unique to each onlooker.