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The Obligatory Iverson Article
12/18/06
by DJ

I wouldn’t be a real basketball player if I didn’t write on this thing. Mostly because of the whole WHY factor. Let it be known that in my columns I never name drop or anything because no one likes a window shopper, but in this case it’s completely necessary. After my brother’s first year in the year the first three things I asked him was 1) How big Shaq was 2) How was his first year and 3) What was AI like. To the latter he responded he was one of the coolest people he’d ever met. And how he told me how he went to one if his parties and AI treated a role player on another team like one of his own teammates. When I heard that story, I was convinced he was one of the most misunderstood people in the NBA and that there is more than meets the eye with this guy. Then last year when I got back from Finland, I went straight to Indy to watch some games. The first game I saw was Philly. AI was an animal. I don’t remember who won even, but I remember watching him for the first time thinking no one wants to guard him. I heard dudes calling for switches and help like it was their job. He was simply amazing. He reigned in bucket after bucket and whenever he passed to one of his “shooters” save Korver, they would miss so bad it would start a fast break for Indy. What bothers me the most about this whole process is just that: it’s becoming an ordeal. And why? It has been mishandled on so many levels. Just the logic behind running him out of Philly to the fact that his value is declining is perplexing. He deserves way better than this. By leaps and bounds. So here are just some thoughts on the whole fiasco (Press time: Sunday morning, so by the time this is posted, he may be traded, but it’s worth the risk):

1. Of all the teams in the running to get him, I think that the Wolves deserve him, simply because of the fact their GM’s parallel in moronicity (yes I made that word up but there is no other way to describe it). KG and AI have gone through the same shit. It’s like their NBA careers were separated at birth. Even though KG’s supporting cast has been marginally better over the years, it still sucked like Philly’s. Here’s how bad Philly’s has been: I bet the average NBA fan can’t name 10 of Iverson’s teammates over his career. How sad is that? And if the Wolves don’t get him we may be having this same conversation about KG soon. Real soon. Second I think it would be the Clips because they are in LA for one, and two they have things that Philly want in return. And people are talking about the Celtics like it would be the end of the world if two bitter rivals changed players. I know it was a free agent signing and a different sport, but doesn’t Johnny Damon going from the Red Sox to the Yanks fulfill most of that scenario? And isn’t the world still turning
2. Since it’s not his game that’s in question (see #3) it must be something else. People talk about how much of a cancer or whatever he would be and how much of a menace he would be. And over the years how much his thuggery was going to bring down the NBA’s social order. And this is hurting his trade value. I’ll tell you what, there is a reason why they called the new zero tolerance rule the “Rahsheed Rule” and not the “Iverson Rule”.Yeah Iverson may have gotten techs, but most were in the same fashion good coaches get techs, to prove a point and maybe get a similar call later in the game to go for them. Not for whining and begging for a foul after taking a terrible shot. And dollars to bricks if ‘Sheed were on the market he’d be gone quick.
3. Which brings me to another point. Usually I try and see the point of view from the other side in an argument. In this case it’s why a team would NOT want him. This would mean their back court was good enough without him right? So by NOT trading for him you are telling me that your guards are solid enough for a playoff run or you absolutely don’t need him. There is one team that in my opinion absolutely does NOT need him: Phoenix. That’s about it, and there are a handful of teams on the fence (Nuggs, Lakers, Mavs, Spurs) He’s a Hall of Famer instantly after he retires. He is leading his team in points with 31.2 (yet he on his way down because he’s too old), assists at 7.3 (yet he is selfish AND has to pass to guys who can’t shoot a loaded gun), and steals at 2.2 (yet he has lost a step). This is a testament to his overall efficiency: He is an All-Star this year and has only played 15 games. Just sit there and think that the Hawks are playing Speedy Claxton and Ty Lue, whose numbers COMBINED don’t equal that and they have better talent around them. And we all remember what AI did to Lue in the 2001 Finals.
4. Eventually, common sense has to prevail to GM’s. He will instantly put asses in the seats and his jersey will sell like hotcakes. Yes the parents may not like him , but their kids love him. He will be the hottest ticket in town. Can you really afford not to get him for at least two years? There are so many bums on NBA rosters at this point, just cut people to make room or send the younger guys down to the D-League. Do whatever you have to do that won’t kill your franchise for the foreseeable future with a huge luxury tax or multiple high draft picks. I know Philly wants a high pick, a young guy (probably a guard), and some good players. Now I don’t know that one team has all these things, but a couple teams combined do. I mean it isn’t as easy as picking a sandlot team, but I believe that it’s being made more complicated than it has to be. Plus, Philly’s GM is practically giving him away but mishandling the whole situation. He can still get all those things if he just realizes what he has on his hands.
5. If someone had a gun to my head and said, “Tonight someone has to score 35 points or I’m going to kill you. Pick a player.” Hands down it would be AI or Kobe. No contest. On any given night these are the only two players I would never, ever bet against. Lebron, Wade, and Melo are close, but I can see them taking a night off. Iverson and Kobe never do. Yet somehow Iverson is vilified for his work ethic.
6. I’m not scared of anyone on the court, but there are three (3) players in the league today I would never fight. Even if they slapped my wife and mother on the same stroke. First is KG, second is Udonis Haslem, and third is Ivo. This is because they look insane on the court. They look crazy as fuck. And as my college coach once said, “I don’t care if people think I’m crazy. People don’t fuck with crazy!” This is too true. I’m not glad he is crazy, it just proves that even at that size, he is menacing on the court. He commands respect at all times and is a presence much larger than his slight frame suggests. Case in point: when was the last time you saw him get posted up?
7. Eventually Philly’s GM Billy King will regret this because he will realize he gave away someone who bled for his city AND his country. He ran him out because he surrounded him with bum after bum year in and year out. The best two players on his team right now are a shooter with cement feet and an insane athlete with no visible torso or jumper. King would have been better off just trading everyone excpet Iverson, Korver, and Iguodala, and Dalembert (who is suspect), Randolf , Carney, and Hunter and trying to deal everyone else this summer for picks (even second rounders at this point because of the depth of the upcoming draft), a third scorer, and a backup center. Then coming into this season with extra money and only like 12 players on the roster. Especially with the way the East is this year. Instead of surrounding him with incompetence, give him weapons and a reason to stay. There is no excuse to ever have Alan Henderson on your roster. Ever. Trade him and C-Web, along with the rest of the current roster and just try and get some future picks and a couple buckets of paint.

These are just a few reasons why the whole thing is in shambles. It just doesn’t make sense. The man is a legend and isn’t that old really. I mean in a year when Jeff George and Vinny Testaverde were on rosters Allen Iverson can’t find a home? Really? At franchises that are in flux (ahem, Sonics and Grizzlies), he would almost be an instant savior. You could move your team anywhere and fans would flock. Next time you watch highlights of any NBA game that’s embarrassingly empty, one trade could change that for one of those teams. But hey, what do I know. I just thought I’d never see the day when having AI available this cheap would be a problem.

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