I have had it up to here with all the yapping about Allen Iverson’s new rap album. It’s really getting out of hand. People are protesting radio stations and critics are demonizing the songs for being anti-gay, anti-women and overly violent. The controversy over this album has turned the 76ers star into basketball’s John Rocker. Iverson did say he’s sorry if you’re offended by the lyrics. If you think that’s an apology, I’m sorry.

Like most of you I have read excerpts of Iverson’s songs, but I haven’t heard them. I have a feeling that’s because listening to him sing might be more offensive than the lyrics. I’m sorry, but I’m guessing Allen Iverson is not "The Answer" to hip-hop like he is to basketball.

I have interviewed this guy before and aside from his tendency to mumble, he’s proven several times over that he’s not a wordsmith. He once said to a flock of reporters, "None of you all can’t do what I can, but writin’ is easy." This is also the guy who blamed the Almighty when he had a bad night; saying he didn’t make those shots because "God didn’t want them to go down." I’m sorry that people are taking anything he says to heart.

The people protesting are asking radio stations to not play Iverson’s music. They say they’re scared of the affect it will have on their children. Maybe it wouldn’t be a problem if they took the hours and hours they spent outside picketing radio stations to actually sit down and talk to their kids. Maybe I’m wrong. If so, I’m sorry a singing basketball player can wield so much power in our society.

I have heard a lot of chatter about how the NBA should do something to Iverson. He should be fined, suspended, fired or forced to play for the Clippers. Folks, the NBA is not going to do anything as long as Iverson is a top scorer. He’s a money machine for the league. Sure with his tattoos and bad boy attitude he’s a poor-man’s Dennis Rodman, but he sure does now how to get noticed, doesn’t he? I’m sorry to say he does.

Iverson probably sits in front of a mirror to practice keeping a straight face these days. "I’m sorry. Oh no. Don’t protest my songs. Don’t give me free publicity. Whatever you do don’t mention the name of my album." Gang, he’s playing us like a card shark at a five-dollar poker table. He doesn’t care what anybody thinks of his album, as long as they buy it. And thanks to columns like this one they will. I’m sorry.