Allen Iverson had his number retired last week by the Philadelphia 76ers, the capper to a career almost certainly destined for the Hall of Fame. Iverson joined lofty company – Dr. J, Charles Barkley, Moses Malone. Players who played in rarified air – figuratively and literally.
Iverson remains the most remarkable athlete I've ever seen in person. About the same time he dragged Dikembe Mutombo, Eric Snow, and a pocket of spare change to the NBA Finals, I was working as an intern for Comcast SportsNet. One of the perks was the ability to gain floor access, as well as the occasional trip into the tunnels for post-game interviews. Iverson was listed at 6 foot flat; from my personal perspective, 5' 8" seemed more likely. And yet.
Night after night, Iverson leapt through the air, a bird flying through great oaks – dishing, juking, dunking. That in itself would have been remarkable. It was his crossover, however, that took away the crowd's breath and his opponents' sense of balance. How many ankles did he break? How many men did he blow by? Even the great Michael Jordan got shaken – twice.
There's a lesson here for lawyers. Like Iverson's lack of height and size, each of us has to contend with deficits when they take on a new case. A short calendar. A budget. Maybe you're a sole practitioner jousting against a hundred-strong legal behemoth. And yet.
Confidence and determination are a good start. Tirelessness and intelligence are certainly necessary. But by thinking outside the box, by putting your opposing counsel off balance . . . well, that's how you change the rules of the game.
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