Writer Sherman Alexie makes poetic plea to Allen Iverson

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By most accounts, Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson is having the worst season of his professional basketball career. He has played just 16 games due to an arthritic knee and was cut by the Memphis Grizzlies early in the season before being picked up by the Sixers.

Yet, thanks to fans’ votes, Iverson has landed a coveted spot in the starting lineup for the NBA All-Star Game this February. And he’s actually considering playing in the game.

Writer Sherman Alexie thinks this is a terrible move on Iverson’s part. So terrible, in fact, that he wrote a poem about it and sent it to ESPN. The poem, titled “Brotherly Love,” follows:

When Modesty gets into a bare-knuckle fight with Fame,
It’s a sad, bloody thing. Modesty gets pummeled. Modesty dies.
Is Iverson really going to play in the All-Star Game?

Don’t get me wrong. There has never been a small man who played
With more ferocity. He was born without brake lights!
And, no, he was never modest about his talent and fame,

But he always earned the ego. He deserved the acclaim.
But, ah, his game has said good night, good night, good night, good night.
The truth: he doesn’t deserve to play in the All-Star Game.

He isn’t good enough. Not anymore. There should be no shame
In growing old. But what do we do with the man who denies
His age? Whose modesty has been murdered by his fame?

Doesn’t he have an honest friend? Or maybe they’re all afraid
To tell him the truth. Or maybe they don’t know they’re telling lies.
Maybe they think Iverson belongs in the All-Star Game.

And maybe he does. Maybe he deserves a last serenade.
But, God, how can he feel good about this tattered prize?
I hope Iverson chooses modesty instead of fame,
And honors himself by not playing in the All-Star Game.