We received over 500 responses to this question within an hour of posting it. Iverson's comments were offensive to most, but then again, so were the comments of the taunting fans. Your answers varied from those who feel the fans are at fault, to those who feel Iverson screwed up, to those who think the media is up to no good again. Here's a sampling of your thoughts:
Hypocrisy at its finest
In America we call it freedom of speech! Iverson has said it himself, he has his freedom of speech! Where is the double standard? Why is it fine for him to express himself and for others it's not? I guess he should listen to the lyrics on his CD, there is no difference in what he says. He's still a punk, acts like one, looks like one and will always be one. He should grow up and accept his role. Whether he likes it or not (I don't like that he's a role model for my kids), he's a role model for kids in America. In this world you must have thick skin. He has no backbone. You know you are being filmed and the game is being televised. Why act like a punk?
Ralph
New York, NY
Leave the man alone!
A man can only take so much. Although I do not agree with what he said, I think that a man has to defend himself. He only said what was said to him. Just because of his past that does not give anybody the right to be treated like that. For the people who do not like him and think he acted in a wrong manner, those are the same people who pay to watch him on TV and pull the money out to go to a game. Do unto others as you would have unto to you! Let the man do what everyone admires about him: Play basketball!
Chris Brink
Jamestown, NY
Well-deserved retaliation
I think that fans can get out of hand and say terrible things to players. Allen Iverson is an intense guy and if someone taunts him he will retaliate. I think that it is justified because there is a certain point where fans go too far and any athlete has to protect themselves. People have to realize that athletes are people too, and if someone came to your place of employment and said the things these fans say you would give it right back. We all need to stop pretending that athletes should take this abuse because they are famous.
Matt Durkee
Durham, NH
Where were the officials?
It's not a good idea to use derogatory epithets at all, but I think the NBA officials let the situation get to the point where it got out of hand. I'm not excusing Iverson's actual comment, but had the official thrown out (or at least warned) the offending fans, perhaps Iverson's comment would have not even been made. Buying a ticket does not mean you have the right to verbally abuse players on the court, and it's time to make that point.
Lisa Burnette
Warner Robins, GA
Offensive, yes: Illegal, no
As a straight white male I respect the advancements that the gay community has made in recent years with regard to increasing public awareness, tolerance, etc. I am strongly against any discrimination against the gay community. In fact I support protected status for gays, not unlike that granted for gender, race, ethnicity or religion. And though I support the public attention given offensive nature of the banterings by such "insensitives" as John Rocker and Iverson, I still must admit that it seems to be free speech. As much as I disagree with their choice of words, isn't this America? Hopefully in time no one in America will carry such prejudices, but until then let's allow those "insensitives" to be an example to our children of what "we don't want America to follow!"
Todd Hibbs
Battle Creek, MI
Gay bashing is serious, but this wasn't it
I think that the fans were wrong, and that Allen Iverson is wrong, and as a homosexual I am sick of gay bashing being ignored or brushed over. However, what Allen Iverson did was not gay bashing or even close. He made a deragotory comment that was disgusting, but made in the heat of passion and not at a moment of calm thought. At most he should be fined $5000 for his poor judgment. He has reflected on those comments and admitted his error and he should be forgiven. I hope he has the same reflections on his rap album, which makes derogatory comments towards gays that he has thought long and hard about.
Jason
Cherry Hill, NJ
Fan behavior is appalling
The issue at point is not whether Allen was justified in saying what he said but the NBA controlling the actions of it's fans. The NBA fines and removes its player for bad language and actions that are bad impressions of the league. So why not hold those fans to the same standards? Why are fans allowed to shout racial slurs at players? The league needs to protect its employees (NBA players and coaches) from having to deal with such unruly fans. Also Allen's album is his first amendment right of freedom of speech. If you don't agree with the contents of his lyrics don't buy the album. This is a record from Allen Iverson the rapper, not Allen Iverson the NBA superstar.
McQuinn Travis
Tuskeegee, AL
Hey, aren't you John Rocker?
Two words: John Rocker. If you can tell me the difference between this and that, than you're a smarter man than I. Iverson should be held as accountable as Rocker was, in the NBA and in the media. Trouble is, something tells me he won't be.
Patrick Powers
Plymouth, MA
Totally unprofessional
Iverson's reaction was one of the most unprofessional displays that I have seen and should rank with spitting in an opponent's face (Bill Romanowski) and anything racial that Kerry Collins has ever said not to mention other related incidents. The league seems willing to step in during other incidents and should in this one. It is the fans' right to support their team and if that includes getting under the skin of opposing players, that's the way the game is played. Iverson has left himself open for this type of abuse because of the way he has chosen to conduct himself both on and off the court.
Dan Wininger
Albuquerque, NM
An apology is all that's needed
It is definetly understandable if he lost his cool when someone was hurling racial epithets at him. However, after the fact, he should probably apologize to homosexuals for using that derogatory term. Either way, the league should not take any action.
Matthew Faso
Boston, MA
The NBA: A hostile work environment
The league should take more of an interest in ensuring that its' players are not subjected to a racially hostile work environment (as required by law). It would be crazy to punish Iverson for the league's failure to protect its employees.
Peter
Los Angeles, CA
It's all bad
I believe that two wrongs don't make it right. What Allen said cannot be defended, but he should not have to be bombarded with racial epithets. People seem to think that just because someone makes millions of dollars that he or she should be subjected to such insults and not want to fire back. I've never heard of African-American fans hurling racial epithets at a white player, so what does that tell you?
Paul Smith
Philadelphia, PA
NBC is in the wrong
First of all, Iverson's comments should not even have been broadcast. This is NBC's fault. Just like the player introductions for the Super Bowl, where the TV networks picked up cursing. They should not have had a microphone on the players. All players swear during games, it's part of the game. But the networks should have realized that if Iverson is mouthing off to the fans, then he is saying something that shouldn't be on TV, and they shouldn't be recording what he is saying.
Kevin
Washington, DC
Real mature, Allen
Allen Iverson is a joke and a little kid. The fans are yelling racial epithets to get under his skin and apparently it worked. He has to realize that the fans got what they wanted: A reaction from him. Iverson needs to grow up. He can spew such derogatory references to women and gays in his CD but he can't take it when they are spewed at him. A real mature man there.
Mike Shaffer
Tucson, AZ
Give the guy a break!
Allen Iverson had a natural reaction to being heckled. There are too many unnecesary microphones on the court and he shouldn't be penalized for that. Everyone is just out to get this guy. If you don't think this is true, think of how many people would be fined in the world for using that particular slur. Leave Iverson alone!
Malav M. Shah
Ithaca, NY
