Speculation that Allen Iverson was drunk during his infamous practice rant ran wild yesterday, fueled by a new book by Kent Babb. But ESPN blowhard Stephen A. Smith bravely stepped in this morning to remember that we’re talking about speculation here. Speculation.
Smith said there’s no way his buddy A.I. was intoxicated during the press conference because the two are besties who speak on the phone weekly.
THE REASON I’M SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THIS IS BECAUSE THIS IS AN EXERCISE IN CRUELTY. ALLEN IVERSON IS RETIRED. ALLEN IVERSON IS NOT PLAYING ANYMORE AND YOU ARE GOING TO LITERALLY SIT THERE AND TALK ABOUT SOMETHING YOU BELIEVE HAPPENED OVER 12 YEARS AGO? AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING RIGHT NOW, ALLEN IVERSON. I KNOW ALLEN IVERSON, LISTEN, HE’LL TELL YOU, IF ANYBODY KNOWS IF AND WHEN HE IS DRUNK, IT IS ME. YOU UNDERSTAND. I CAN TELL YOU FOR A FACT THAT MAN WASN’T DRUNK.
It’s going to be tough to get a definitive answer on this issue. Luckily, whomever speaks the loudest wins so, therefore, history will show Iverson was perfectly lucid at the time.
Also, weekly phone convos with Stephen A.? Hasn’t this guy suffered enough.
[H/T: SportsGrid]