Yes, for the first time in 13 years, Allen Iverson has shaved off his long hair. No more cornrows, braids, or afros. Even the baby fro he sported for part of his rookie season is out of the question.

By now, you've seen what Allen Iverson looks like, uh, now. But let me ask you one thing. Do you remember the first time he looked like what he looks like, before "by now?"

The first time he had cornrows?

It wasn't the start of the 1997-98 season, as some news outlets have suggested. No, the addition of Tim Thomas to the Philadelphia 76ers wasn't enough to drive AI to braids.

In reality, it took this contest to make the change:
The 1997 Rookie Game. It was a straight East/West Rookie back and forth back then, no sophomores (that didn't take off until a year after the lockout year, which went without an All-Star weekend), and AI showed up with braids. He also won the MVP award from that contest, in spite of Kobe Bryant's then-record 31 points.

And that was a good eight months before Latrell Sprewell showed up with braids to his 1997 training camp, and a good year or so before we saw anyone besides Spre or AI sporting the look.

So there you are. Hair history, BDL-style.

Take a picture now, while you can. Detroit could pick up Tim Thomas' contract any day now, and who knows what could happen from there.

See the video of the East team's reaction here:

http://sports.yahoo.com/n...nba,141532

Not sure how I feel about this, but he looks 12 years old.

I liked AI's braids They showed him trying to brush the part out of his head, it's permanent after so many years of parting it down the middle He's hoping it goes away if he keeps brushing over it...

He still fine

CalhounSq said:

Hey, some of us have much wider, permanent parts...

CalhounSq said:

I said the same thing about the part. Sorry, boo, it ain't goin' away no time soon. I liked his braids too, now the tats? Those can get gone.

ThreadBare said:

SCNDLS said:

Thanks, but brushing hasn't helped either.

It's about time!

He's from my area, so I vividly remember his shorter hair.

AlexdeParis said:

Yeah, I remember him from his bowling alley days, too.

ThreadBare said:

Ouch.

ThreadBare said:

Are you from Hampton?

ThreadBare said:

Don't get me started on that bullshit. The only person arrested in a damn riot and the governor has to pardon him to get him out of jail...

Shawnt25 said:

No, I've lived in that area, though. I remember that period well. Folks rallied, wrote letters to the editor at the Daily Press... they did just about everything but hold a march for AI.

Meanwhile the news stations kept showing the clip from the riots, over and over again.

Graycap23 said:

That's what the guy who got hit with the chair said...

ThreadBare said:

ThreadBare said:

Oh OK just checking. Seems to be quite a few people from Hampton on these boards. I was a young kid at the time of bowling alley incident. I have some cousins that got caught up in that mess.

ThreadBare said:

But the clip they showed is inconclusive at best... certainly not enough to pick him out of the crowd (even as a local celebrity) and put him away like that. Of course, the conviction was later overturned on appeal.

why isnt there just a picture posted? i dont want to watch a video



plz

ThreadBare said:

I'll bet.

Cuddles said:

That link leads to both a video and a picture.

Shawnt25 said:

but I am!!

AlexdeParis said:

look, it's Bubba Chuck!

bboy87 said:

Man all of these Hampton people coming out of the woodwork. Do you still live in Hampton?

Shawnt25 said:

Nah, I moved to Cali back in 1999 but I still have friends and family there. I plan on going back when I finish college

ThreadBare said:

That's wrong ... .

AlexdeParis said:

thanks!

id still do him

hes always had a baby face

AlexdeParis said:

Man yall muthafuckas keep talkin bout PRACTICE

phunkdaddy said:

Classic quote. LOL