"He wants that on his grave because of the way some people have put him in this little category about how bad he is," his mother, Ann Iverson, said. "He said, 'You know what you hear, Ma.' So I'll do that for him, but I'll have my own little comment at the end of it.

"The guy is a really good guy, but you've got to know him in order to know this."

Since the Philadelphia 76ers made him the top overall pick in the 1996 draft, very few people, even teammates and coaches, have really gotten to know Iverson. While developing into one of the NBA's best guards, if not best players, he has become more distant – and perhaps more angry. He has gained notoriety for problems he says are human errors, for a personal style that may be considered threatening to much of mainstream America but one that is common among young black men.

He seems to have wrapped himself in many of the worst possible attributes from a public perception standpoint, then become disillusioned by his inability to gain the acceptance and respect of NBA fans outside of Philadelphia, members of the media, and other players around the league.

He wears his hair in cornrows. He's been arrested. He feuds with his coach, sometimes publicly. He piles up huge statistics for a mid-level team while many question whether he makes his teammates better. He unceremoniously fired his agent, who is one of the most powerful in professional sports and represents some of basketball's most renown and loved figures. His jeans – and basketball shorts – hang perilously off his rear end in the same fashion as rap artists and boyz in the 'hood. He spends much of his time away from the court with a questionable circle of friends.

"He's different than most people," 76ers rookie guard Larry Hughes said. "I call him Dennis the Menace. But people don't know him. They see the outside image – the walk, the jewelry, the hair – but you can't judge a book by a cover. Until you talk to him or get close to him, then you find out. But he really can't let people get close to him. He knows who he can get close to."

Those close to him are a group of friends, mainly consisting of his pals from Hampton, Va. – the friends who were there for him when he was a self-proclaimed nobody as an incarcerated teen. Most of those friends wear their hair in the same braided style Iverson does, and 76ers President Pat Croce has had to change some of their seat locations at First Union Center in the past because of complaints from season ticket holders.

Nonetheless, many in the NBA are willing to defend Iverson, who at 6 feet, 165 pounds is the NBA's second-leading scorer at 26.2 points per game, one-tenth of point per game behind Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal.

"I don't know how great he can be down the line, but he's got a chance to be there," said NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird, who coaches the Indiana Pacers. "The other stuff doesn't matter. Who says five years from now that everybody is not going to have cornrows? That's just a change, just like the bald head. That doesn't bother me."

Bird, who seems to be the antithesis of Iverson in every possible way – white, Midwestern, a fabulous team player, an NBA champion – continued.

"If the kid can play, he can play. A lot of people just hate to step up and say, 'Hey, he's a great player.' I'm glad to have him in the league, and I'd want him on my team. I kind of like the cornrows."

Dating from the brief prison term for a brawl in a bowling alley while he attended Hampton High School, most people, Iverson feels, have always hoped for him to fail.

"I know it's hard to sell papers if you put something positive about Allen Iverson in there," said Iverson, who received a gubernatorial pardon concerning the incident for which he was jailed. "If you put something negative in there about me, you might not see any [newspapers] on the stand a minute after they put them up there."

"A lot of people look in the paper and want to see what's happening with violence. It's bad, it's terrible. But you don't think people look in the crime section of the paper to see what's going on? That's life, man."

He claims not to care about what people say about him, but he constantly contradicts himself. Last week, Iverson became angry when Houston Rockets forward Charles Barkley said during a recent interview with Sports Illustrated: "I can't stand that guy [Iverson]. He has to show up for practice every day. He has a responsibility to cut the crap and not have some drama with the coach every week. He's showing no respect to anyone, least of all the game."

That day, a Thursday, Iverson was not going to talk to the media because he had to do a photo shoot with Rolling Stone magazine directly after a morning practice. But when a reporter handed Iverson the article, he suddenly wanted to talk.

"Look how many people at his position that you can name that's better than him," Iverson said. "I can't understand why he would try to dog me out like that. I can't stand his [butt], either. What has he done? Nothing but spit on kids, throw people through windows and talk racist [stuff]."

"How many years Charles Barkley been in the league? How many times he been to the Finals? Once. Tell him to think about that before he starts criticizing people."

Yet for someone who does not care about what is said about him, Iverson was more than emotional. His eyes watered and his gravelly voice reached a high pitch. He wasn't just mad at Barkley; he was hurt.

"That was very unfair, and Charles knows better than that," Bird said. "That's the second time Allen's taken a hit, and both of them were from pretty good players. [Michael] Jordan said something, then Charles, just because, I guess, Allen doesn't show them respect. They should care less whether he shows them respect or not. I think we all understand what they did in their careers and how good they are."

Rocky Relationship

Barkley clearly isn't the only NBA person who thinks Iverson needs more maturity. Larry Brown, the 76ers' coach and director of basketball operations, has had problems with Iverson partying until early in the morning, being late to practices or missing them altogether.

Such instances can affect on-the-court performance, although Iverson still easily dominates games. He has blossomed as a player this season since Brown moved Iverson from point guard to shooting guard.

However, Brown feels Iverson could be so much more, if only he would change.

"I think if he was a pro, in a lot of ways, he'd be much better," Brown said. "But he's got to figure that out for himself. He thinks he can stay out all night and maybe come to the arena and be great. He'll figure that out. It doesn't work that way.

"I keep telling him that when you're the guy, everyone is coming after you. And you have to prove it every single night. That's the thing that I think was so unique about Chicago. Every night it was the biggest game of the year for whatever team was playing against them. That takes unbelievable discipline and character. And Allen doesn't understand that you've got to take care of yourself to do that."

An already rocky relationship between Brown and Iverson took a severe hit April 2 during a home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

After playing the entire first quarter, during which he missed all seven of his shots, Iverson sat on the bench for the first two minutes of the second quarter. When Brown finally called on Iverson to enter the game, Iverson said, "It's about time you put me in."

Brown sent Iverson back to the bench, where he stayed for the remainder of the game. Iverson, who was nursing an injured quadriceps, did not even participate during warmups after halftime, further infuriating Brown.

Brown tried to play down the incident last week.

"Oh, that happens with me and him all the time," Brown said. "I've heard the same things from him. I don't enjoy it. But I know he likes our team, and I know he cares for me. When he gets mad at me, it affects the guy he's going in for because that guy wants to play.

"I don't think he means it in a malicious way. It's just him. For me to harp on it is silly. He's going to have to grow up and understand that you can't disrespect your teammates or your coaches or this game. But as long as I know he doesn't mean it in a real bad way, that's something you deal with."

Iverson's closest friend within the organization is Croce, the team president. The charismatic Croce, who calls Iverson by his childhood nickname of "Bubba Chuck," has been both critical and supportive of Iverson. Croce admits to sometimes being one of the many people to misunderstand Iverson, who came from an impoverished background.

"Oh, yeah, it's difficult with Bubba sometimes because I didn't grow up with him," Croce said. "I don't think there's ever that same trust that you have with your buddies. I think his friendship to a fault is honorable. I still surround myself with my buddies. But we've talked about times where some of them haven't straightened out at all, and I can't let them pull me down. It's the same with Allen. But he's not someone you can talk to; he learns through a painful experience. Unfortunately, I get some of the pain.

"I think it's similar with him and Larry, but right now it's melting. I always say, they're both highly talented, highly paid, highly temperamental. And they're both my longtime employees, and they're going to work it out. They have a common goal: to win. Larry knows the world of basketball; Allen knows the neighborhood of basketball. And the two have to mesh. I just have to be the referee once in a while."

Split With Falk

According to friends close to Iverson, he had not been happy with his Washington-based agent, David Falk, for quite some time, but had remained with him mainly out of respect for his college coach, Georgetown's John Thompson. A longtime friend and client of the agent, who also represents Jordan, Thompson has guided many of his former players to Falk, including Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning; Thompson declined to be interviewed for this article.

Iverson reportedly was upset because Falk controlled all of Iverson's finances, and that Falk had gotten him very few endorsements. According to others close to Iverson, he also was upset because he said Falk only attended 76ers games when another of Falk's clients was playing.

Falk vehemently denied both accusations.

"C'mon, I'd have to get a computer to find games where I don't have clients playing," said Falk, who has 40 clients in the NBA. As for not defending Iverson, Falk said: "I think that's one of the most absurd comments that I have heard in my life. I think the reason he avoided suspensions was because of that protection we gave him."

Falk said Iverson earned more than $2 million per year in endorsements, which Falk said was more than most players in the league.

Yet there were two major incidents during this lockout-shortened season that appeared to affect Iverson's decision to dismiss Falk as his agent.

In January, just after the start of the season, the Mercedes-Benz Corp. filed a lawsuit in Montgomery County alleging that Iverson owed nearly $30,000 in back payments on three leased automobiles, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Falk's agency, Falk Associates Management Enterprise, said the lawsuit was a misunderstanding. "We pay Allen's bills, we pay his taxes, we invest his money," Bill Ourand of FAME's financial office told the Inquirer.

Then early last month, Iverson's mother became perturbed when she was preparing to board a flight from Norfolk to Philadelphia to attend one of her son's games. She learned that her travel agent would not issue her a ticket, citing unpaid bills, sources close to the family said.

Iverson had had enough.

"What would you think?" he told the Inquirer. "I don't feel I need Falk any longer. . . . I was in a world of hyenas. I was young. I was the prey. But I'm growing up."

On Friday evening, March 19, Iverson had his attorneys from Virginia Beach, send Falk papers informing the agent that he was being fired.

Iverson, who does not have a new agent, declined to go into detail about his split with Falk, saying only: "I have no doubt that I did the right thing. I did the best thing for Allen Iverson for a change."

Falk also would not go into detail about his dismissal, but he defended himself against any notions that he did not work hard for, or genuinely care about, Iverson.

"It's certainly disappointing that he chose to go in a different direction," Falk said. "I tried very hard and put a lot of resources into managing him in certain areas. He needs structure. I had a woman that would travel with him [as a personal assistant] almost daily making sure he was all right. I also had a financial planner to assist him.

"A lot of people ask why things didn't work out. Was it because of the hip-hop image and all of that? Well, I've worked for players for 25 years, and we've gotten along perfectly."

Falk said that when he and Iverson saw each other in New York when the 76ers played the Knicks about two weeks ago, the two men embraced and talked briefly. Falk said he still cares deeply for Iverson.

"Many people told me, 'He'll be back. He made a mistake. Just watch, he'll come back,'" Falk said.

After all that has happened, would Falk take Iverson back should he change his mind?

"Absolutely," Falk said quickly. "Without a doubt."

Not Alone

Can Iverson ever change his image without losing the cornrows and keeping it real? That is a question Iverson sometimes finds offensive.

Many of the NBA's most famous stars were, and still are, controversial, be it with fashion, off-the-court shenanigans or feuds with coaches.

Walt "Clyde" Frazier, who starred for the Knicks in the 1960s and 1970s, wore outlandish fur and leather coats and sported big, floppy coats with massive sideburns sprouting out. And at the height of the "Black Power" days, Julius Erving wore a huge Afro that was intimidating to much of America.

The outspoken Barkley once jokingly said, "That's why I hate white people" to a group of mostly white reporters. And questions still arise about Magic Johnson's reported ultimatum that led to the firing of former Los Angeles Lakers coach Paul Westhead in the early 1980s.

In fact, during the 1970s, many black men wore their hair braided in cornrows, if for no other reason to get it longer for Afros.

So why does Iverson appear to be different?

"I don't think he's that different," said Joyce Ladner, a former Howard University professor and author of "The Ties That Bind: Timeless Values of African American Families." "A lot of young black men feel misunderstood for different reasons. This hip-hop culture is one of their responses to the culture that everybody else tells them they subscribe to. People need to stop and listen to what these kids are saying."

But Ann Iverson does not care if her son's image ever changes. Like many, she feels he is a good enough basketball player to earn his respect – and his proper place in NBA history.

"As long as Allen knows how he is, and as long as I know how my child is, that's all that matters," she said. "He's not out here to impress anybody. He's trying to handle his business. He's doing something that he likes to do, and at the same time it helps take care of his kids and put food on the table.

"People have, as he says, misunderstood ever since he came out of Georgetown. But it's all good. As long as he keeps it real with himself, he'll be okay."

But Iverson is attempting to change part of his image, mostly the basketball portion. Although some of his teammates still complain because he does not pass the ball as often as he should, he is trying to change that.

Many former 76ers point guards still live here and stroll through the locker room almost daily. Consequently, Iverson routinely consults World B. Free, Gerald Henderson and Philadelphia assistant coach Maurice Cheeks for wisdom.

Iverson said he wants to work things out with Brown because Brown, after all, has won a championship, albeit an NCAA title as Kansas's coach. Currently, Iverson's mother is traveling and staying with him on 76ers road trips, just so he can stay out of trouble and have her nearby for support.

"I've seen him mature both on and off the court," Croce said. "I remember my first interview with him before I selected him in the draft. He was kind of slouching, and he didn't even stand up to shake my hand. Now I get a hug and a kiss after the game.

"He didn't know that off the court, he lives in a fish bowl. And on the court, he's under the glare of all the lights because of who he is. He just wants to play basketball."

During a game against the Pacers last week, Iverson wasn't playing well in the first half, and the 76ers trailed at halftime. Noticing this, the deeply religious Ann Iverson ran down to the 76ers bench and put some "anointing oil" on her son's forehead, forming a cross. After scoring only eight points in the first half, Iverson went on to finish with 26 points, and the 76ers won, 93-83.

"You saw his game come up didn't you?" Ann Iverson said proudly. "That's what happens when you have God in your life."

And, yes, Iverson is attempting to focus more on his religion, Ann said. No matter what he says publicly, Iverson indeed wants people to know he is not a thug. He wants the world to know that Ann Iverson did a good job raising her son.

He just wants people to know that will not happen instantly or easily.

"I'm going to continue to make mistakes, you better believe that," Iverson said, once again becoming emotional. "You make mistakes every day. Everybody's human, man. I've matured a lot from five years ago, even from last year. But I'm going to continue to make mistakes, whether they're ones that somebody my age should make or shouldn't make."

He pauses and points skyward.

"Who's the judge of that but Him?"