04/19/24
December 12, 2006
A.I on his way out.: Allen Iverson is no longer Philadelphia's headache. Then again, maybe it's the other way around. Either way, this much is sure: One of the great players in franchise history has likely played his last game for the 76ers. Iverson wants out and Philadelphia will grant his wish.
posted by msusportsguy to basketball at 10:13 PM - 36 comments
Another sorry chapter in the Philly sports history-book has closed. Much love for the sometimes troubled, always brilliant athlete, hope it all works out. Makes me sad and proud to be a Philadelphian, and believe me, that ain't easy.
posted by GoBirds at 12:38 AM on December 13, 2006
It makes me sick to see Webber play better now. It's proof his lazy ass was doggin it. I don't want to hear anything about him having the ball more, his touches havn't went up. He was to busy crying about not playing. He is 1 of the worst mistakes the 76'rs ever made. Now " all of a sudden" he wants to hustle ( he's to busy reading those articles about him being the leader now). I can only pray that they include his sorry ass in the deal. AI/C Webb to NY for Steve Francis, Quentin Richardson, Channing Frye. Or Marbury/Richardson/Cato. Make it happen BK.
posted by Bishop at 04:23 AM on December 13, 2006
Go easy on Webber. All of us would have some down-time after being dumped by Tyra.
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 06:58 AM on December 13, 2006
He's worn out his welcome in Philly And how is that? By playing his heart out every single game? He was by far the only reason I or any other Allen Iverson-fan actually went to the Wachovia Center to see a Sixers game. It's their loss and another teams' gain. Go easy on Webber Why? The guy is a bum that still thinks he's the same player he was 6 years ago. C-Webb can't even elevate to dunk the ball any longer. The guy is 6'10" and has a 2" verticle. His time has come and gone but to have a guy like AI avaliable that is in his prime and still puts up points (31.2 ppg) dishes out assists (7.3 per) and steals (2.2 per), that's what any team would want on their squad. The Sixers organization has dropped past Hall of Famers like Wilt Chamberlain and Charles Barkley so it's no surprise to see their lack of respect and loyalty to another future Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson
posted by BornIcon at 07:56 AM on December 13, 2006
I like Iverson, but he's past his prime as far as with the Sixers. The team needs to start from scratch, and it benefits both parties to move Iverson. Sucks he can't stick around, but King buried the team with long, nasty contracts, and and the only way to get out from under them is to blow it up and start from scratch. Makes no sense for Iverson to waste his last two or three good years on a team that's not going to compete not to mention moving him for dead contracts is the only way the team can start rebuilding. Plus, if he is a selfish player, largely because he's never had much talent, but also because the Sixers let him be selfish. If he goes somewhere with another established dominant player, and potential to compete, I bet he could co-exist and fit in nicely. (Edit: Let me make it clear that I blame the Sixers for creating this mess, and unfortunately, this is the only way to clean it up.)
posted by SummersEve at 08:12 AM on December 13, 2006
It's funny. The local media in Minneapolis are frothing over with talk of Iverson landing here (me? I say it'd be sorta cool, but we'd have to lose the first signs of a nucleus for future growth that the Wolves have shown in a long, long time), but we never get mentioned nationally. I assume I'm just the victim of homeristic sports journalism.
posted by cobra! at 08:49 AM on December 13, 2006
I would like AI to have taken the Charlotte offer. That franchise needs saving.
posted by bperk at 08:54 AM on December 13, 2006
Here's a list of the Sixers' current salaries. There's almost $25 million locked up with guys who aren't even on the team. Aaron McKie ($6,500,000, and he still is under contract for next year) Jamal Mashburn ($10,850,000, He didn't play a second in a Sixers uniform) and Todd MacCulloch ($6,807,000, his career got cut short by Charcot Marie Foote, so you can't fault anyone, but he's still getting paid.) Not to mention all the coaches they've canned over the past couple seasons... How does Billy King still have a job?
posted by SummersEve at 08:55 AM on December 13, 2006
If I could lead the league in scoring and still be past my prime obviously I wasnt the problem. How many 40 pt 10 asst games has AI had this season already, ummm like 4. STFU.
posted by Drallig9399 at 09:30 AM on December 13, 2006
The local media in Minneapolis are frothing over with talk of Iverson landing here I have been hearing that too, but assumed the price was high and the likelihood of AI being happy in Minnesota was low.
posted by chris2sy at 09:34 AM on December 13, 2006
I have been hearing that too, but assumed the price was high and the likelihood of AI being happy in Minnesota was low. I only give it a shred of credence because Robson at City Pages has been one of the talkers, and he usually has some sense (his argument is that KG would be the big draw for AI). But yeah, the price just doesn't seem worth it-- on top of losing Foye, the Wolves would wind up without a bench. And while KG and AI aren't that old, they're old enough that they'd need some support. On the other hand, if losing the bench included Troy Hudson, maybe it would be worth it.
posted by cobra! at 09:43 AM on December 13, 2006
I have heard a lot of talk about where AI would best fit in. I could definitely see Minnesota (I think KG and AI would work really well together), but I also thought the Charlotte deal was pretty good. They have a decent young team, and AI lives in Georgia (Atlanta if I'm not mistaken), but I don't blame him for wanting to go to a contendor. I could see Denver, Miami, or Boston. But whoever gets him is lucky. Man, does he play hard every night or what? He may not take practice as seriously as say, Michael Jordan, but he is worth every penny on his contract. IMHO.
posted by sublime4390116 at 09:44 AM on December 13, 2006
ummm like 4 And how many wins do the Sixers have? ummm like 5. So obviously things aren't working. Who gives a shit who's "fault" it is (if you had any reading comprehension, you'd see I say it's King's), now they need to fix it. Iverson has maybe a couple good years to try to win a title. He ain't doin' that in Philadlephia unless the Sixers find someone willing to trade for the dead weight MacCulloch and Mashburn. Those two contracts come off next year, clearing up almost 19 million, if they move Iverson and get dead deals, that opens up room to actually build a team.
posted by SummersEve at 09:50 AM on December 13, 2006
good riddens, the guys a bum! he may be an alright player but the chump stain is thorn in the side of the 76ers.
posted by vito938 at 11:17 AM on December 13, 2006
... Or, if you see shades of grey and prefer not to divide sports stars into "idol" and "bum", you might enjoy reading this.
posted by cl at 11:27 AM on December 13, 2006
Has a guy ever been traded in the midst of a season in which he was averaging over 30 ppg ? This has to be a first. Iverson does have a lot of off-the-court issues, but if you have ever seen the guy play, you know he is giving 110%, all the time. I wouldn't mind having Iverson on my team. The only problem is that he is a volume shooter. If he could give up 5-8 shots per game and dish out 1 or 2 more assists, he would be a perfect point guard for any team. Shit, he is averaging 7+ assists with Philly, if he had someone around him that could put the ball in the hoop he would probably have 10-12 per game. I know this is not possible, but could you imagine Iverson on Phoenix or New Jersey? He would be unstoppable in a high tempo system like that. But back to reality, I would love to see KG and AI on the same squad. They both deserve the chance to play with another "star" calliber player.
posted by yay-yo at 11:43 AM on December 13, 2006
good riddens, the guys a bum! he may be an alright player but the chump stain is thorn in the side of the 76ers See this "quote" right there, it kills me to hear BS like this considering that AI was the heart and soul of the Philadelphia 76ers for well over a decade. Do you remember the 2001 NBA Finals? Bubba Chuck a bum? Never that! How can Iverson be a bum when he is in his prime of his career? What's true is that he may only have a few great years left in him, but what I can tell you is that those few years that he has left are far more greater than a lot of those so-called NBA stars out there. We're talking about a future Hall of Famer that's being disrepected right in front of our very eyes. AI bled for the Sixers just like the Big Dipper did and Sir Charles did before they were eventually shipped out for some no-name talents. What bothers me the most is that here you have one of the greatest players to ever grace the hardwood being treated awful by an organization that does not know how to go out and capture solid role-players to surround him but instead decide to hand out lucrative contracts without those guys actually deserving them (i.e. Jamal Mashburn). AI may no longer be a Sixer but by no means is he a bum, the entire Sixers organization are the one that are the bums. AI may not be the clean cut, say all the right thing type of player but he is the type of player that will speak his mind, support his teammates and continue to play his heart out like it's his last. Just like his last game as a Sixer. I just hope that when he does find a home elsewhere and returns to play against the Sixers, he demonstrates exactly why they made the biggest mistake ever....by winning!
posted by BornIcon at 11:57 AM on December 13, 2006
Great link, cl.
posted by SummersEve at 12:55 PM on December 13, 2006
I think people will find that AI's game will change significant;y should he go to a team that has more dependable players. He takes 30 shots a game right now because who else on the Sixers would you have shoot? Kyle Korver? Anyone else? They just don't have the players - there is little point in keeping an older AI around. I think this is the best move for all parties concerned. It's just a shame that AI basically had to make the demand because the Sixers couldn't move him in the summer and have mishandled the whole situation.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:02 PM on December 13, 2006
I completely agree with Weedy. If anything, AI will be motivated to show the Sixers they were wrong. A motivated Iverson could be a catalyst; he'll probably become the ultimate team player, giving away tons of assists, taking fewer bad shots and generally showing everyone they're wrong about him. He's done it his whole career. Taking a flier on a guy who's scoring 30ppg and who's got some reasons to show the world that he's not what they think he is sounds like a really, really sound investment.
posted by dfleming at 01:28 PM on December 13, 2006
AI will now become the marketing gimmick for down and out teams e.g. Charlotte who seemed to be the front runner before Iverson nixed the deal. It's my guess that he will be traded to a team based on their need to market a big name as opposed to win a championship. Not every owner and GM have a built in desire to win but to merely see big boosts in ticket sales.
posted by gradys_kitchen at 02:00 PM on December 13, 2006
I'm no basketball expert, by any means. But a little deductive reasoning and some recognition of the past moves by the 76'ers franchise would lead one to believe that the club is run by people with a desire to ruin it. AI is no ascending angel, but neither is he the devil incarnate. What he is is an incredible talent who might not appear like a schoolboy but seems to have put some of his past churlish behavior behind him. If my own Sonics weren't a TREMENDOUS MESS it would be fun to see him shoot and distribute the rock with the likes of Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen (presuming that they were still in Seattle and not traded for him). ((AND that the Sonics were still in Seattle and not Las Vegas)). (((Or wherever))). --can you use that many parentheses? sorry.--
posted by THX-1138 at 02:47 PM on December 13, 2006
can you use that many parentheses? I think at some point you gotta throw some brackets in there. [ ]
posted by yay-yo at 04:39 PM on December 13, 2006
Or whatever you call these: <> or {}
posted by BornIcon at 04:54 PM on December 13, 2006
he'll definitely end up in indy they have players like tinsley they can give up along with other solid players and really not hurt their team a lot..... i really wish artest and jackson would have stuck around, then they could have three headcases in the same uniform
posted by lucky23pjq at 06:49 PM on December 13, 2006
by the way.... {braces}
posted by lucky23pjq at 06:50 PM on December 13, 2006
What do people on this board mean by "homer?" I have seen it quite a bit, but don't know what it means. Does it refer to the simpson's Homer? If so then i get it. sorry, completely off topic. Webber is a crybaby. AI is great, but i think is praised too highly at times. You can't give your "heart& soul" to an organization and then be indignant about having to go to practice. Giving your all to an organization includes that. Great player, no doubt, but not a hero. Just an imperfect dude.
posted by brainofdtrain at 09:38 PM on December 13, 2006
Homer = person whose views are skewed by their loyalty to a team.
posted by yerfatma at 06:11 AM on December 14, 2006
Great player, no doubt, but not a hero. Just an imperfect dude No claim that AI is perfect or a hero for that matter, he's a top notch basketball player that deserves a little more respect from the organization that he has helped for the past 11 years. Plain & simple. by the way.... {braces} It was a joke.
posted by BornIcon at 06:50 AM on December 14, 2006
I've been a Iverson fan since he was at Georgetown, and he's an incredible athlete. That being said, though, I'm not surprised at all a deal hasn't been made. The guy can score, absolutely, but some of the other things he brings to an organization aren't that attractive. Teams have to decide if they want the rest of their roster following his lead in between game-times, and if that's a great trade-off for how he performs on the court. He can clash with coaches, doesn't want to practice (we've all heard his take on practice, I'm sure, but can any team afford to have a roster full of guys with that same outlook?). The idea he's sitting home during this time, his locker cleared out, when a deal hasn't even been struck tells a great deal about what you're getting with A.I.
posted by dyams at 09:56 AM on December 14, 2006
The idea he's sitting home during this time, his locker cleared out, when a deal hasn't even been struck tells a great deal about what you're getting with A.I. I don't know what it tells you but it tells me that sixers management is committed to trading AI and have told him as much. Why would you play a guy that you've told you are going to trade?
posted by tron7 at 11:14 AM on December 14, 2006
I'm sure that's it, tron, but I don't know of that many athletes that do this. If there's an actual trade in the works, all-but-finalized, that's one thing. But this may never happen, and then what? If he doesn't end up being traded he's still a 76er. He's under contract and should continue to play. If Manny Ramirez chose not to play for the Red Sox when they let him know they wanted him traded, he wouldn't have ever taken the field the past three years.
posted by dyams at 01:07 PM on December 14, 2006
I just don't see AI doing this on his own. Is it a ploy by the team to show how willing, or determined maybe, they are to trade? Maybe they were really close to closing that Bobcats deal before it got nixed. I really expected the trade to be announced in a hurry once they cleaned out the locker.
posted by tron7 at 01:31 PM on December 14, 2006
I'm sure that's it, tron, but I don't know of that many athletes that do this. If there's an actual trade in the works, all-but-finalized, that's one thing. But this may never happen, and then what? If he doesn't end up being traded he's still a 76er. He's under contract and should continue to play. That was not AI's call. The 76ers told him not to bother coming to play or even to sit on the bench. From the article: Iverson said he was told not to participate in shootaround and instead watched from the sideline. He joined the Sixers in the huddle, then was told by Cheeks not to come to the Wachovia Center. "In my entire career, even the doctors haven't been able to tell me not to play," Iverson said. "I've played through injury and illness. I think everyone knows how much I love being out on the court, competing and winning. That's why it was so disheartening to be told that I couldn't play, knowing that I was ready. It hurt even more to be told not to come at all."
posted by bperk at 02:38 PM on December 14, 2006
From the article: Show off.
posted by tron7 at 02:45 PM on December 14, 2006
Heard an analyst today saying he'd probably wind up on a west coast team, either Sacramento, Golden St. or maybe Denver. He's worn out his welcome in Philly, but despite the baggage he's the leading scorer in the league, and a bunch of teams would take him assuming they don't have to give up the rest of their franchise to do it.