The NBA preseason is nothing more than a dress rehearsal where everyone goes through the motions. Nothing serious, really, unless there's a motive to turn it on.
Allen Iverson had one such game during his rookie season.
"I'm a rookie and New Jersey right there in New York," he recalled during his recent appearance on Lou Williams' podcast. "So all we thinking about is the partying right after. I'm in the game and motherfu—g Khalid Reeves bust my fu—n' lip open. I'm just thinking about getting the fu—g game over with. Go take a shower, we can go to New York, and bi–h is on. This motherf—r busted my lip. So now I can't go out."
Nets arena very near Manhattan
When Iverson was a rookie, the Nets were still based in New Jersey and played their home games at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, just a 30-minute drive from Manhattan.
Given the bustling nightlife in the City that Never Sleeps, Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers already made plans for their post-game activities before they even stepped on the court that night — after all, it was just a preseason game with nothing on the line, really.
Unfortunately for Iverson, he got smacked in the mouth by Reeves.
Iverson loved to par...