Skipping Practice? Risking Results: A.I.’s Cautionary Tale (No, Not THAT A.I.)

"A.I." is widely recognized and synonymous with artificial intelligence nowadays, but former NBA All-Star and Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson will always be the original "A.I." in my world.

Iverson was both talent and controversy in equal measure. When I think of Iverson, I often recall not just his prowess on the basketball court (he was selected to 11 NBA All-Star rosters and won the regular season scoring title four times), but I also remember his candid perspective on practice, famously encapsulated in his "practice" rant.

Iverson's "practice" rant famously occurred during a press conference in 2002 when he was questioned about his attendance at practice sessions. Visibly frustrated, Iverson repeated the word "practice" over 20 times, emphasizing the difference he saw between game performance and practice. He argued that his commitment and performance during actual games should not be overshadowed by his practice habits (or lack thereof), especially considering his past injuries and the team's overall situation. The rant highlighted his belief that his dedication during games was what truly mattered, despite any perceived shortcomings in practice attendance.

Specifically, here's his dismissal of practice from that rant:

"We sitting in here—I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talking about practice. I mean, listen: We talking about practice. Not a game. Not a game. Not a game. We talking about practice. Not a game. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last. Not the game. We talking about practice, man. I mean, how silly is that, man?"

The recent resurgence of Allen Iverson in popular culture is notably highlighted by his 2023 appearance in Chase’s Freedom Unlimited credit card commercial, which seems to be playing each commercial break during the current NBA Playoffs. As Chase admits, “21 years later, we are finally not talking about practice. Kevin Hart, Stephen Curry, and Allen Iverson are talking about cashbacking. Cash. Backing. How do you cashback?”

The commercial, which cleverly plays on Iverson's practice rant, not only brings a smile but also subtly underscores the importance of being prepared—and the importance of practice. Chase's advertisement rekindled my interest in discussing Iverson’s complex legacy and how it parallels the rigorous preparation required for the bar exam.

The Championship Dilemma: Lessons from Iverson's Career

Despite his undeniable talent, Allen Iverson never secured an NBA Championship. In my opinion, this omission in his career highlights can be partly attributed to his public disdain for practice. This serves as a potent analogy for bar exam candidates: neglecting comprehensive practice, especially on essays and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), is akin to a basketball player skipping important practice sessions.

Yes, most graduates tend to concentrate on multiple-choice questions during bar preparation due to the immediate, quantifiable feedback these provide, allowing them to measure their accuracy and progress distinctly. However, this focus often leads to the neglect of essays and performance tests, which are crucial components of the bar exam.

The relative neglect of these areas can be attributed to two main factors: the difficulty of self-assessment and the significant time investment required. Essays and performance tests demand a comprehensive understanding and application of law, and unlike multiple-choice questions, they don't offer immediate right or wrong answers. This makes it challenging for graduates to gauge their performance without external feedback. Additionally, each MEE requires about 30 minutes and each MPT about 90 minutes to complete, which is substantially more time-consuming compared to individual multiple-choice questions. This longer duration can deter graduates from practicing these components as frequently, despite their importance in achieving a passing score.

But let's talk about practice.

Just as A.I. might have increased his chances at winning an NBA title with more rigorous practice, examinees can significantly boost their likelihood of passing the bar by diligently practicing all components of the exam.

Remember that practice isn't just a supplement to learning—it's the core of understanding the law.

🎯 Practice Makes Progress: Just as a basketball player hones their skills through repetitive drills, law students must engage in continuous practice to internalize complex legal principles. Practice problems aren't merely a test of knowledge—they're an essential strategy for transforming theory into an applied skill.

🎯 Practices Improves Familiarity with the Exam Format: The bar exam is notorious not only for its difficulty but also for its unique structure. Regularly tackling practice questions helps students become comfortable with the format, timing, and pressure of the actual exam. Like Iverson navigating the basketball court, students need to navigate the terrain of the bar exam seamlessly.

🎯 Practice Identifies Weak Areas: Practice reveals weaknesses. Just as a coach analyzes game footage to spot a player's weak points, graduates can use practice exams to identify and strengthen areas of legal knowledge that require more attention.

🎯 Practice Builds Stamina and Confidence: Completing multiple practice exams is akin to playing several back-to-back games. It builds endurance, ensuring that graduates can maintain their concentration and performance throughout the grueling hours of the actual bar exam.

While Iverson's comments might have been misunderstood as a disregard for practice, they actually highlight a profound truth applicable in all fields: success is a product of persistent, deliberate practice. For graduates, this means embracing each practice problem as a step toward understanding the law and better preparing themselves for the bar exam. Remember, in the world of bar prep, practice isn't just part of the game—it is the game.