In this episode, I revisit one of the most infamous press conferences in sports history—Allen Iverson’s legendary “practice” rant from 2002—and explain why I think he was actually right all along.

Iverson’s words have lived on as a punchline for decades, but when you look closer, you realize he was speaking some deep truth about recovery, workload, and the impossible demands of a grueling NBA season.

I share the backstory behind that moment, the tension with his coach Larry Brown, and how the whole thing became cultural shorthand for “bad attitude”—when in reality, Iverson was way ahead of his time in understanding how fragile the human body is under chronic stress.

You’ll also hear some fun clips (including the Ted Lasso parody and a brilliant remix), and I’ll make the case for why Iverson deserves recognition not just as one of the most electrifying players ever, but as a pioneer in the conversation around athlete recovery and self-preservation.

 

TIMESTAMPS:

Brad is taking a look at Alllen Iverson's "practice" rant. [00:51

Iverson was right in talking about the imperative for players to save themselves in order to survive a grueling NBA season. [04:16]

Is it a disgrace to the team and the NBA to stick up for your own well-being? [07:34]

Coach Phil Jackson created unity on the team by ensuring that they were together turned against him for some enfraction. [17:51]

Iverson took a hit so that today's modern athlete would not have to endure this decades of abuse at the hands of old school coaching. [18:55]

 

LINKS:
Brad Kearns.com
BradNutrition.com
B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery
B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet!
Brad’s Shopping Page
BornToWalkBook.com
B.rad Podcast – All Episodes
Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes

 

We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!

Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:


B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein!


Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off!


Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ!
Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD.


Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount!


Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience


Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!

In this episode, I revisit one of the most infamous press conferences in sports history&mdash;Allen Iverson&rsquo;s legendary &ldquo;practice&rdquo; rant from 2002&mdash;and explain why I think he was actually right all along.
Iverson&rsquo;s words have lived on as a punchline for decades, but when you look closer, you realize he was speaking some deep truth about recovery, workload, and the impossible demands of a grueling NBA season.
I share the backstory behind that moment, the tension with his coach Larry Brown, and how the whole thing became cultural shorthand for &ldquo;bad attitude&rdquo;&mdash;when in reality, Iverson was way ahead of his time in understanding how fragile the human body is under chronic stress.
You&rsquo;ll also hear some fun clips (including the Ted Lasso parody and a brilliant remix), and I&rsquo;ll make the case for why Iverson deserves recognition not just as one of the most electrifying players ever, but as a pioneer in the conversation around athlete recovery and self-preservation.
&nbsp;
TIMESTAMPS:
Brad is taking a look at Alllen Iverson's "practice" rant. [00:51
Iverson was right in talking about the imperative for players to save themselves in order to survive a grueling NBA season. [04:16]
Is it a disgrace to the team and the NBA to stick up for your own well-being? [07:34]
Coach Phil Jackson created unity on the team by ensuring that they were together turned against him for some enfraction. [17:51]
Iverson took a hit so that today's modern athlete would not have to endure this decades of abuse at the hands of old school coaching. [18:55]
&nbsp;
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/podcast-index/">Brad Kearns.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bradnutrition.com/">BradNutrition.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://a.co/d/3pVVl9w">B.rad Superdrink &ndash; Hydrates 28% Faster than Water&mdash;Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery</a></li>
<li><a href="about:blank">B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/shop/">Brad&rsquo;s Shopping Page</a></li>
<li><a href="http://borntowalkbook.com/">BornToWalkBook.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/podcast-index/">B.rad Podcast &ndash; All Episodes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://peluva.com/?view=cro-id28570">Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes</a><a href="https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/blog/primal-movement-the-key-to-unlocking-your-bodys-potential/"></a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&amp;A shows, emailed to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:getoveryourselfpodcast@gmail.com">podcast@bradventures.com</a>. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!
Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn&rsquo;t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won&rsquo;t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="http://bradnutrition.com/?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">B.rad Nutrition:</a> Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein!
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://peluva.com/?sscid=91k7_1q58j&amp;utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Peluva</a>: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off!
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://ketone.com/BRAD?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Ketone-IQ</a>&nbsp;Save 30% off your first subscription order &amp; receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ!
</li>
<li><a href="http://getstride.com" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://getstride.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1744479083574000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2M5EotlxxWpksCKN7ZVyMD">Get Stride: </a>Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome &amp; blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.mitoredlight.com/?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Mito Red Light:</a>&nbsp;Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount!
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://bradventures.thinkific.com/collections?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Online educational courses:</a>&nbsp;Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/brad/?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Primal Fitness Expert Certification</a>: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!
</li>
</ul>

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author, world #1 ranked masters 60+ high jumper, Speedgolf world record holder, and former world #3 ranked pro triathlete, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Brad delivers an engaging mix of step-by-step education on important health topics like staying fit, strong and powerful as you age; transforming diet to lose body fat and increase energy; sort through hype and misinformation to make simple, sustainable lifestyle changes; and broaden your perspective beyond a fit body to experience happy relationships, nonstop personal growth, and ultimately sail to 100 with a happy, healthy, long life. Let’s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It’s time to B.rad!

 

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author, world #1 ranked masters 60+ high jumper, Speedgolf world record holder, and former world #3 ranked pro triathlete, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Brad delivers an engaging mix of step-by-step education on important health topics like staying fit, strong and powerful as you age; transforming diet to lose body fat and increase energy; sort through hype and misinformation to make simple, sustainable lifestyle changes; and broaden your perspective beyond a fit body to experience happy relationships, nonstop personal growth, and ultimately sail to 100 with a happy, healthy, long life. Let&rsquo;s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It&rsquo;s time to B.rad!
&nbsp;

Brad Kearns, NY Times bestselling author and world #1 masters age 60+ high jumper, offers a fun and diverse mix of interviews with leading authors and health experts, and  how-to shows for peak performance, weight loss, personal growth, and longevity