Well, it looks as if Allen Iverson's days as a 76er are over and I for one, say good riddence - to the Sixers.
Let me begin by stating that I am not, what you would call, an Iverson fan. I'm fairly neutral when it comes to A.I., so call me crazy but I just don't see why Iverson's scarlet letter is brighter than that of other NBA players. Keeping in mind that opinion's about Iverson, my own included, stem from hearsay and conjecture, what did Iverson do that was so wrong? Or more importantly, what did he do that is worse than what other NBA'ers have done?
Charged with 'Maiming by Mob' - Iverson was later granted Clemency - during the infamous Bowling Alley Brawl in his late teens, and 2 other arrests, one that resulted in a Community Service sentence, and one that resulted in dropped charges, are the major blemishes on Iverson's record. You'll notice that, by design, I omitted the 'Practice' incident. I find that entire situation more comic relief than anything to get upset about. So it's a common, unwritten rule that Veterans aren't especially fond of practice, yet for some reason, Iverson was called out about it. You would think that you're franchise player, who also happens to be your hardest working player, might earn the right to decide for himself how much of a necessity practice is. What is especially gratifying is witnessing, through hindsight, the gradual transition of Larry Brown, from hard working Coach trying to inject a work ethic into his team, to untrustworthy Coaching vagabond with a propensity for pulling the cord on his golden parachute when times get tough.
I'm not attempting to justify Iverson's behavior. I'm just wondering out loud that, in a League where this type of behavior seems common place, why does it seem that Iverson is stigmatized in a matter that other NBA bad boys are not. Strip away the tatoos, the jewellry, the corn rows, and what is left is a player who plays with heart and passion, through sickness and injury. And that's just the intangibles. Iverson's accomplishments speak for themselves; Rookie of The Year; 7 time NBA All-Star; 7 time ALL-NBA 1st, 2nd or 3rd Team; 4 time NBA Scoring Champ; 3 time NBA Steals Champ and 2001 League MVP. All the while playing for an organization so inept at building a true contender that over Iverson's 10 year career, Only one other Sixer has played along side of Iverson at the All-Star Game, and that was defensive specialist Dikembe Mutombo.
In all honesty, this divorce has been long overdue but there is plenty of blame to go around and plenty of blame should deservingly be placed with the 76ers francise.
Where Iverson is concerned, the Question for one team will be, 'How did we get so lucky?'. In regards to the Sixers, the Answer will be 'Lottery' for seasons to come.
Gotta go, 'Hardcastle & McCormick' is on.
Let me begin by stating that I am not, what you would call, an Iverson fan. I'm fairly neutral when it comes to A.I., so call me crazy but I just don't see why Iverson's scarlet letter is brighter than that of other NBA players. Keeping in mind that opinion's about Iverson, my own included, stem from hearsay and conjecture, what did Iverson do that was so wrong? Or more importantly, what did he do that is worse than what other NBA'ers have done?
Charged with 'Maiming by Mob' - Iverson was later granted Clemency - during the infamous Bowling Alley Brawl in his late teens, and 2 other arrests, one that resulted in a Community Service sentence, and one that resulted in dropped charges, are the major blemishes on Iverson's record. You'll notice that, by design, I omitted the 'Practice' incident. I find that entire situation more comic relief than anything to get upset about. So it's a common, unwritten rule that Veterans aren't especially fond of practice, yet for some reason, Iverson was called out about it. You would think that you're franchise player, who also happens to be your hardest working player, might earn the right to decide for himself how much of a necessity practice is. What is especially gratifying is witnessing, through hindsight, the gradual transition of Larry Brown, from hard working Coach trying to inject a work ethic into his team, to untrustworthy Coaching vagabond with a propensity for pulling the cord on his golden parachute when times get tough.
I'm not attempting to justify Iverson's behavior. I'm just wondering out loud that, in a League where this type of behavior seems common place, why does it seem that Iverson is stigmatized in a matter that other NBA bad boys are not. Strip away the tatoos, the jewellry, the corn rows, and what is left is a player who plays with heart and passion, through sickness and injury. And that's just the intangibles. Iverson's accomplishments speak for themselves; Rookie of The Year; 7 time NBA All-Star; 7 time ALL-NBA 1st, 2nd or 3rd Team; 4 time NBA Scoring Champ; 3 time NBA Steals Champ and 2001 League MVP. All the while playing for an organization so inept at building a true contender that over Iverson's 10 year career, Only one other Sixer has played along side of Iverson at the All-Star Game, and that was defensive specialist Dikembe Mutombo.
In all honesty, this divorce has been long overdue but there is plenty of blame to go around and plenty of blame should deservingly be placed with the 76ers francise.
Where Iverson is concerned, the Question for one team will be, 'How did we get so lucky?'. In regards to the Sixers, the Answer will be 'Lottery' for seasons to come.
Gotta go, 'Hardcastle & McCormick' is on.
posted by average john at 9:39 PM
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