The Answer appears that he has a lot of problems to solve. As his days have come to an end on the hardwood, Allen Iverson’s personal life has taken a turn for the worse. Last week, his wife and high school sweetheart filed divorce papers to end their marriage. Now revelations are hitting the street about what is truly “irretrievably broken” as was noted in his divorce filing.
Are We Surprised by Iverson's Fall?
Reports are swirling that Iverson has been on a downward spiral for some time due to gambling issues and alcohol consumption problems. Iverson took to Twitter yesterday to respond to rumors about his personal issues.
“To my fans: You all know that my life isn’t perfect. I am going through some very tough times right now, like I am sure that we all do from time to time,” Iverson wrote. “However, I will stand tall like always with ‘rhino’ thick skin.”
It is unclear whether or not Iverson used his child as a smoke screen to take the spotlight off the real issues. If he did, it was a shameless act by coward of a human being. Not surprising coming rom Iverson, but still despicable. If his daughter really is sick, it is time for Iverson to reveal the true nature of the illness. At this time, nobody can sit here and believe a word coming out of his mouth. We have no reason to believe his child is sick at this point and that this had anything to do with his absence.
If the rumors about the alcohol and gambling issues is true, why has it taken so long to hit the newspapers? According to former ESPN analyst and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Stephen A. Smith, Iverson’s gambling problem is so serious, that he has been banished from casinos in Detroit and Atlantic City.
Are you telling me the NBA was unaware that AI was banished from casino halls? Are you wanting me to believe that NBA brass and the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t know the guy had a drinking problem? Of course they knew, how could they not? If Iverson’s issues come as no surprise to the average fan, I think we can conclude that David Stern has been aware for a long time and looked away in the other direction as the turnstiles jingled.
You are now looking squarely in the face at the reason why the NBA is beginning to fail. Their target audience is middle class families earning $75,000 or more annually. We teach our kids not to not do drugs, not to consume alcohol and not to gamble. We encourage them to strive to become something more in life, earn your way and appreciate what it took to achieve what you done.
Then we’ve got Allen Iverson, the example of exactly what we never want our children to become.
Iverson’s life was interrupted on February 14, 1993 when he and several of his friends tore up a bowling alley in Hampton, VA. His group was repeatedly ask to behave or leave, leading to his posse to start a racially charged brawl with white youths in the bowling alley. During the fight, Iverson assaulted a woman by hitting her with a chair and was arrested.
Iverson was later convicted of a felony, but due to his budding athletic superstar talent, he was granted clemency by the Governor of Virginia and the judicial system was accused of racism and pressured to overturn the conviction. Iverson ended up just sending four months in juvenile. It was these events that pull the ball in motion that led to these problems today because Iverson was provided special treatment that you and I would never receive. And all this special treatment was due to his ability to dribble an orange basketball.
You can grant him all the clemency you want and you can overturn his conviction for supposedly insufficient evidence because a person’s word doesn’t count against an athletic superstar. Iverson got a second chance in life that would have derailed the rest of us and learned nothing from it.
Iverson’s defenders are still out in full force about how good a guy he is. John Thompson and Larry Brown just keep loading up the stories about how wonderful a guy he is. Let them talk all they want, it won’t change the fact that I’d never leave my kids alone with him for more than two minutes. There is nothing good about an overindulged sports star that shirks their responsibilities in life, both to their co-workers and their families.
The end of the Iverson basketball saga is here. The story has ended with him falling into an abyss. But the question we should all ask ourselves…is anyone even surprised by this?
The man known through most of his career as “The Answer” who over the past few years had morphed into the “The Distraction” today became “The Unemployed”. The Philadelphia 76ers announced that Allen Iverson had been released from his contract and will not take the court again this season for the team.
Iverson Has Played His Final NBA Game
The experiment is over.
Iverson had missed 9 of the Sixers last 12 games dealing with family matters concerning the health of his daughter. No details have been released as to the nature or seriousness of the health issue, leading the media to deluge the team with questions about Iverson rather than the ream. Once again, Iverson’s antics had upstaged his teammates on the cusp of a playoff spot and broke the continuity of the team.
The signing of Iverson, for all sakes and purposes, was nothing more than a mere stunt by Ed Stefanski and the Sixers management team. The hopes were that Iverson would fill the growing empty seats at the Wachovia Center. They did for one game, Iverson’s return, but attendance dipped back to league-low levels shortly thereafter. The fans were not fooled by the sideshow carnival, proving that P.T. Barnum was incorrect that a sucker is born every minute.
The release of Iverson will hopefully be the last chapter of an overhyped career. Iverson over his years has never delivered wins, garnering just a 51% winning percentage in games that he played in. Certainly not Hall of Fame standards by any means. His one successful season had nothing to do with his play, it was the masterful coaching of Larry Brown in realizing that any Allen Iverson-led team must be the best defensive team in the league to compensate for his incessant chucking of the ball and refusal to include his teammates in the offensive flow.
Iverson’s legacy that will be left behind is the damage he has done to the NBA with his selfish style of play and gangster persona. His negative impact on the sport is comparable inverse to the positive influence of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. In summary, he has single-handedly brought the league to its lowest level of fan interest in over 30 years by spawning a gaggle of AI-wannabes that have emulated his selfish style.
Much of the challenges the NBA currently faces in restoring the game is to undo what Iverson created. The NBA must return to the focus of team basketball, with emphasis on passing the ball and constant offensive motion. Iverson’s isolation-style offense has lowered the quality of basketball play and turned away hard-core fans in favor of street thugs with gravity-challenged pants, most of whom cannot afford a game ticket in the nose bleeds.
Iverson impact was also felt on the international stage as well, being the face of the 2004 Olympic team that luckily earned a bronze medal and were the embarrassment of Americans. He deserves most of the blame on his shoulders for one of the gloomiest days in USA Summer Olympics history.
Good riddance to Allen Iverson. Enjoy receiving the rest of that guaranteed contract from the Sixers. Once again, you’ve shown no shame and hopefully your days in the NBA are over for good.
The Philadelphia 76ers are streaking, cruising to a blowout 119-97 victory Tuesday night over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Sixers opened the second quarter with 15-0 run and never looked back as they post 43 points in the quarter, ending the first half with a 73-51 lead. Andre Iguodala led the way with 24 points with Elton Brand chipping 21 points in the winning effort.
Sixers Should Bench Iverson
Missing from the lineup for the fourth straight game was Allen Iverson, excused to attend to a family matter, a reported illness to his daughter. Without Iverson with the team, the Sixers have scored wins during the streak against playoff-bound teams that include Houston, New Orleans and Chicago. All solid victories where the Sixers executed with precision, shared the ball and operated as a unit. As a result, the Sixers are now back in the playoff picture.
Allen Iverson not on the floor has been a boon to his teams this season. While a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, the team went 2-8 with Iverson in the locker room. Since his departure, the Grizzlies are 24-17 and are now in the thick of the playoff hunt. The same trend is happening in Philly.
Since joining the Sixers, Iverson has helped Philadephia to a 9-13 record when he shows up to play. When Iverson doesn’t show up, the team is 6-3 and has won their last 5 games when Iverson hasn’t shown up.
So why they Jeckyll and Hyde personas? Very simple…Iverson causes disruption when he is on the floor and interrupts the rhythm of everyone around him. While he might not be chucking the ball as often as he used to, he still leads the team in shots per minute played when he is on the floor. What that means is when Iverson takes the floor, the offense runs through him and his teammates take a backseat.
Iverson is at best the third option when he is on the floor, he becomes the fourth option when Thaddeus Young is on the court. But Iverson’s ego stands in the way of success, as his pride will not allow him to let others around him lead the team so that the Sixers will win ball games. Its all about Allen Iverson, 24/7.
With Iverson not around, Brand, Iguodala and Young have played their best ball of the season as they head into the All-Star break. Iguodala in particular has been lights out on both ends of the court. The difference is Willie Green in the starting lineup. His selfless play and smart shot selection makes the Sixers a better team overall.
Ed Stefanski and Eddie Jordan have some major decisions to make during the break. The Sixers are back in the playoff picture thanks to Iverson’s sabbatical. Only 4 1/2 games out for the final playoff spot, the season is not over for the Sixers. Stefanski essentially threw in the towel when he signed Iverson in December and now they are back in the thick of things given Iverson’s absence. Trading away Iguodala for expiring contracts when you are in the playoff hunt is no longer an option.
The answer is to bench Iverson upon his return. Bringing him off the bench as the eighth man in the rotation is the best thing for the team and gives them the best chance of making the playoffs. Willie Green is now a better player than the eroded-skilled Iverson and he deserves to be in the starting lineup. Iverson can serve as a 15 minute bench spark, which is where he can help this team the most.
If he objects to the benching, he just solidifies his legacy as the most selfish player ever to play the game.
Philadelphia 76ers GM Ed Stefanski all but confirmed rumors yesterday that the Sixers were active in trade discussions. When pressed about rumors that their top scorer Andre Iguodala was in the mix of trade talks, Stefanski replied “When I was in Jersey, and here, I don’t think there are untouchables.”
Stefanski Ready To Ship Out Iguodala
Can Stefanski actually trade himself? Because if he trades away the club’s best player, he is going to need a one-way ticket out of town.
Since arriving in town in December 2007, Stefanski has dismantled a team that was on the verge of becoming relevant in the playoff discussion annually. He immediately shipped out their best outside shooting threat in Kyle Korver, brought in the washed up Elton Brand who was coming off a serious Achilles injury, and then sent head coach and beloved Sixer Maurice Cheeks packing.
He now wants to gut the team further by giving away Andre Iguodala. Reports are flying that both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets are close to securing a deal to send expiring contract players to the Sixers in exchange for Iguodala.
Sixers ownership really needs to start thinking about how much further the Stefanski era should last. The answer can be found by driving 90 minutes up I-95 and taking in a New Jersey Nets game. Since his departure from the Nets, they have been the worst team in the NBA. Stefanski’s fingerprints are all over that debacle and an extended tenure in Philly will likely produce similar long-term results.
Top-tier free agents are not interested in joining an organization where everyone is tradable. They also aren’t interested in joining squads where the GM is not held accountable for bad decisions. And this doesn’t even take into account no top-tier free agent will genuflect to an aging has-been in Allen Iverson,.
The Sixers have no chance in securing a top-tier free agent. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh wouldn’t touch Philadelphia with a 10-foot pole. These guys want to win and they are only going to a place where that will happen immediately. Joe Johnson is unlikely as well, especially if the Iguodala is traded. Johnson is a carbon copy of Iguodala and Stefanski has proven over and over that he places no value in sharp shooting guards despite league play moving in this direction.
The Sixers cannot offer anything enticing to an incoming top-tier free agent. Nobody is out there dying to play with Elton Brand thinking he is the key to a future championship. Nobody thinks Thaddeus Young is going become a star because they play next to him. Nobody thinks Jrue Holiday is the next great point guard. And nobody, I mean nobody, wants to watch Allen Iverson jack up missed shots and help the team rack up losses with his selfish play.
The Sixers need to lock Andre Iguodala in for the long-haul and look to the draft as their only option for improvement. They are assured a lottery pick in the upcoming draft and perhaps they can score a second-tier free agent in Randy Foye or Rudy Gay to fill their gaping outside shooting hole at the guard position.
If Stefanski trades away Iguodala, be prepared for the Wachovia Center to become the NBA’s version of Elba Island, and exile for NBA players that were once desired but will only be taken in by the league worst run team.
Can you imagine the cringe on the faces of NBA executives yesterday when they announced the final balloting results for the All-Star game that is scheduled three weeks from now? All-Star games are meant to display the league’s most talented players during that season. So what happened?
Iverson All-Star Selection Troubling
Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson easily earned a starting spot in the upcoming game with the following glistening resume:
Was able to only get one team to display interest in him in offseason, the Memphis Grizzlies
Was cut by the Memphis Grizzlies due to poor behavior which disrupted the team.
His former coach Larry Brown lobbied for someone to sign him, but wouldn’t do so himself
Got his former team, the Sixers, to sign him simply to fill seats not earn victories
Play a total of 19 games, score less than 15 points and not rate as a stat leader in any category
About the only All-Star worthy stat line associated with Iverson is the Memphis Grizzlies win-loss record since his departure. While creating distractions galore, Iverson helped lead the Grizzlies to a 2-8 start. Since his departure, the Grizzlies are 20-11. They are on pace to gain a playoff spot due only to subtracting Iverson from the team.
Iverson’s selection highlights what is wrong with the NBA. Fans actually really believe that Iverson is a great player although the teams he has played on have close to a .500 record when he actually plays. It personifies that the NBA does not do enough to promote that basketball is a team sport. And it leaves traditional fans disappointed in the product being served to them.
Commissioner David Stern needs to wake up and smell the coffee. The attendance figures and revenues are down because fans want to see team ball. Selfish ball-hogging and showmanship is killing the game and turning basketball fans to college basketball over pro.
What’s left in the stand are a bunch of people that actually think Allen Iverson is an All-Star. If Iverson has any self-respect, he will decline the invitation and allow another player that is deserving be allowed to play.
It’s the end of the year. Its the end of a decade. Nothing great ever ends without a list and a debate over that list. Today, we focus on the 10 biggest sports villians of the 2000 decade and the behaviors that defined their dastardliness.
10. Alex Rodriguez
Talk about a guy that everywhere he goes, trouble seems to find him. While Rodriguez has not run afoul with the law, his personal indiscretions and smug attitude made him a pariah. C’mon, the guy has paintings of himself in his home as a centaur. Talk about an ego. He became this highest paid athlete in sports and blamed his use of steroids on the pressure he felt for signing that contract. Let me shed a tear for A-Rod. Like we’re supposed to believe it didn’t start until then and the cyst in his hip wasn’t the result of steroid abuse. Rodriquez has assured himself the status of the anti-Derek Jeter in New York, no matter how many home runs he hits or Hollywood starlets he invites to sit along the baselines.
9. Plaxico Burress
Burress proved that one player can bring a team to its knees. His nightclub incident where he accidently shot himself in the leg not only cost the Giants possible back-to-back Super Bowl championships, it landed him in prison for two years. Burress’ trangressions are numerous, including speeding, damaging leased vehicles and not showing up for events while taking fees. He’s just an all around bad dude.
8. Adam “Pacman” Jones
Talk about a waste of talent. Pacman came out of West Virginia with huge expectations for NFL success. Jones was on the verge of greatness after a terrific 2006 season. Then the details hit the police blotters. Assault, vandalism, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, marijuana possession, obstruction of justice, speeding, car seizure for use in drug dealing, and causing a shootout in a Las Vegas nightclub that caused a death. A rap sheet a mile long. The Dallas Cowboys gave him one last chance and he squandered that when he beat up the security guard assigned by the Cowboys to keep him out of trouble. And to think, he was on the college same team with recently deceased Chris Henry and never did we hear about trouble in Morgantown.
7. Allen Iverson
Iverson will never be able to live down his infamous 2002 press conference rant when he repeatedly scorned reporters for questioning him about “practice”. He became the poster child of selfishness and the lack of sportsmanship that exists in American professional sports. He was also a key member of the USA Olympic Basketball teams that fell from grace during the decade due to their inability to play a team sport as a team. Iverson is the epitome of what you should teach children not to become when they get older.
6. Barry Bonds
A sure bet, first ballot Hall Of Famer if not for his refusal to acknowledge his use of steroids. The guy was great even without the juice. Tied to the hip of the BALCO steroids case, Bonds smashed the single season and career home run records during the decade. Fans could have cared less. Bonds stopped endearing himself to the people whose admission price paid his salaries before the decade began, but made matters worse with his anger towards the media for essentially doing their job and fans for their desire for the truth. He now faces prison time for obstruction of justice and non-entry into the Hall Of Fame for simply not telling the truth about something that most everyone already believes he did anyways.
5. Terrell Owens
Who can forget the press conference in his driveway working out while his agent ran at the mouth? Or how about calling his quarterback in San Francisco a homosexual. Or questioning the commitment of his quarterback in Philadelphia after a Super Bowl loss. Or accusing his quarterback and tight end in Dallas of conspiring to not throw him the ball and crafting up their own plays in their hotel room on the road. The guy was a walking highlight real of paranoia that ripped apart every team he has played for from the inside out. Shockingly, his stay in Buffalo thus far has been relatively smooth…but lets give it more time. Owens always seems to be a lightning rod in season two of any stay.
4. Tim Donaghy
Did he make critical calls on games he bet or didn’t he? The FBI says no, but we’ll never truly know unless Donaghy decides to purge himself. Donaghy sticks by his story he made bets based on NBA referees and their known bias against certain players (see Villian #7 above for prime example). He also said he made bets based on how referees reacted to word coming down from headquarters on officiating improvements. Donaghy’s behavior placed a black eye on a sport where one foul call can make the difference in a game’s outcome. His behavior no doubt has contributed to the attendance slide and lack of fan interest in the NBA, even if he stands by his story that he never made a call to help with his bets.
3. Marion Jones
Another BALCO client that made millions through the use of PEDs to earn gold medals and become the darling of the 2000 Summer Olympics. Jones lied both to the public and under oath, sticking to the story that she never used steroids until the evidence mounted too high. Not until her pending court date did Jones finally repent in October 2007, admitting she used steroids prior to her Olympic stardom as part of a plea bargain to avoid a lengthy jail sentence. Jones spent 4 months in prison for perjury in the BALCO case and filed for bankruptcy. Jones’ story shows that cheating holds no gender boundaries and that the consequences can be steep when you refuse to repent.
2. Michael Vick
The behavior of Vick was needless to say despicable. And it goes well beyond his conviction of bankrolling and overseeing a dog fighting operation and personally killing some of losers of the fights. In 2005, Vick got his first taste of public scorn under his pseudonym Ron Mexico, accused of knowingly transmitting genital herpes to an Atlanta woman. Vick was detained and forced to surrender a water bottle with a hidden compartment during a airport security check in 2007. Vick also failed drug test for marijuana use. Given the run-ins, you gotta ask yourself how many chances does on guy get? Even if Tony Dungy vows you are a changed man and PETA cuts you some slack.
1. Bud Selig
The Commissioner of Major League Baseball sewed up his status as the top villain in sports very early in the decade and it was going to take a mass-murderer to knock from the throne. Selig has presided over the darkest days in the sport since 1919m as he looked the other way while baseballs flew out of ballparks and turnstiles were spinning at record levels. Baseball was a sport built on the foundation of stats and its greatest hitters failed 7 out of 10 times. While the owners and players got rich, the fans got the shaft. Selig’s retirement announcement could not have come sooner. Here’s hoping that the next decade will bring baseball back to its brighter days as Selig heads off out to the sunset.
Allen Iverson is finished. The Denver Nuggets figured it out. The Detroit Pistons figured it out. The Memphis Grizzlies figured it out. The only people that haven’t are Allen Iverson and 76ers GM Ed Stefanski.
Since Iverson’s arrival, the Sixers are 2-8. This is the identical record that the Memphis Grizzlies sported before cutting ties with the malcontent prima donna of the NBA. Iverson has played in just 5 of 10 games since his arrival, landing on the injured list again with knee arthritis. While just logging 29 minutes per game, Iverson has done very little to even aggravate an injury. Father time is just making his final call.
Iverson’s arrival was supposed to generate fan interest, put butts in seats and open eyeballs at home on the TV. So far, it has done nothing but deliver the same distraction it did in Memphis. Since Iverson’s return, the team’s attendance has not improved outside of the spectacle surrounding his initial return game. The Sixers still languish at the bottom of the NBA in attendance with an average of 13,000 showing up for games. Essentially, the arena is barely half-full and you can hear a pin drop.
The damage Iverson is causing is severe to this franchise. Since being cut from Memphis, the Grizzlies are 11-8 and talk is abuzz about the team perhaps getting into the playoffs. The Iverson drama eliminated team camaraderie and caused internal dysfunction. The coach wasn’t allowed to coach, the team wasn’t allowed to play. A tailoring to Iverson’s needs were necessary and it sunk the team.
The same is happening in Philadelphia at this moment. The players have lost faith in the coach and the organization. Quarrels are occurring between players and the coach and organization’s moves are being questioned by the players. It is the worst case scenario and Iverson is the middle of all of it, even if he isn’t showing up for “practice”.
Philadelphia is a fickle sports town. If you don’t win, the fans don’t show up. The town doesn’t like losers and the Sixers are the epitome the word. Philly fans don’t ask for much, just some consistentcy. How can you explain Andy Reid’s tenure if they demanded championships? This isn’t New York, Philly fans just want to see wins.
The Sixers can still get out from the contract they signed with Iverson. The contract doesn’t become guaranteed until January 8th when they become responsible for his riding the exercise bike and earning a paycheck for doing nothing but destroy the franchise further. Iverson’s contract is the difference between paying $0.50 less for a hot dog or beer at the game. Right now, I think the Philly fans would prefer the discount at the concession stand.
Allen Iverson’s return from his pseudo-retirement hit another bump in the road, as the Philadephia 76ers took its 11th straight loss and 2nd since Iverson’s return. This time the loss came to the Detroit Pistons at score of 90-86. To add salt to the wounds, the Pistons were without its top three players, Richard Hamilton, Ben Gordon and Tayshaun Prince.
In the losing efforts since his return, here is Iverson’s stat line:
33% shooting from the field
80% shooting from the free throw line
9 assists
3 steals
7 turnovers
Not the numbers you’d expect from a so-called superstar that believes he could start on any NBA team in the league. Making matters worse, he is getting schooled when he is on defense. Chauncey Billups rang him up for 31 points and Rodney Stuckey dropped in 27 points.
The “Answer” is no longer the answer. And this relates to tickets sales as well. While the Sixers filled the Wachovia Center for Iverson’s first game back with 20,664 showing up, attendance was back down to normal levels for the Pistons game with 12,136. So far, the move to bring back Iverson is backfiring in the win column as well as the turnstiles.
But the biggest negative impact that Iverson brings is his impact on the development of some of the younger stars. Andre Iguodala is one of the most unheralded players in the league and does not get the publicity he deserves, mainly because he isn’t a highlight reel player. And then you have Jrue Holiday that will be learning from the worst as it pertains to team ball. And Elton Brand is never going to learn how to fit into the new system with Iverson there controlling and heaving the ball.
Memo to Ed Stafanski and Eddie Jordan. Polish up those resumes, you’ll need them come May.
Recently, I wrote a column on why Allen Iverson should retire. Today’s press conference announcing Iverson’s return to the Philadelphia 76ers just completely justifies my point.
Iverson breaks down in tears over the relationship he has with the Philadelphia fans, thankful for the opportunity to come back to the city that loves him. What about those fans in Memphis that bought season tickets to see Iverson play this year? Does he have any regrets bailing on a team that gave him a chance to play and a fan base that embraced his arrival?
Crocodile tears. He must have watched Hoosiers just before taking the dais for the press conference. The spots on the leopard will never change. Iverson is an individual contributor playing a team-based sport. Plain and simple. This will never change no matter how many fake tears he sheds.
The signing of Iverson means the Sixers have thrown in the towel for the 2009-2010 season. Maybe Iverson will fill a few of those empty seats, but his addition means the Sixers are Lottery Pick bound.
If you haven’t heard, Allen Iverson decided to retire this week from basketball. Obviously you heard, as it has been the ongoing saga story now for a week even after the lowly New York Knicks took a pass on A.I. and decided not to offer him a contract through the end of this season.
Since his announcement, his former coaches Larry Brown and John Thompson have come to the defense of the poster child for selfishness. Brown has shared that he still has “the passion to play” and Thompson sharing he should not “retire due to frustration”.
Here’s my two cents…perhaps he should retire because he no longer has what it takes to play in the NBA and will be a disease to any team that decides to bring him on.
While Coach Brown talks a good game about Iverson and his value, he has no interest in bringing him onto the Charlotte Bobcats bench with him. He uses excuses such as being overloaded at the guard position despite his team sporting a 4-9 record at the time of Iverson’s retirement announcement. The Bobcats flat out stink, are not building the framework for a future team and Iverson’s arrival would actually get people to show up and watch a team of bench players on the court in Charlotte. It’s the perfect environment for Iverson…and Coach Brown won’t take him.
What NBA team executives understand about Iverson are the only factors that matter. They understand he lacks defensive skills, doesn’t include his teammates in the game well, has a penchant for not showing up for practices and most recently, no longer has the quickness that allowed him to play great one-on-one basketball.
Most of Iverson’s fans defend him by pointing to his stats. His points scored, his steals and his ability to play one-on-one basketball. These don’t mean a thing. All that really matters is wins, which is not a stat that Iverson rates high on the totem pole amongst NBA greats. In his career, in games he has played, Iverson has garnered a .531 winning percentage. This is abysmal for a player many say is one of the best of the decade.
The final word on Allen Iverson is that he is not a winner and Larry Brown cemented his legacy as one of the truly great coaches due to his handling of Iverson. The championship game run by that 2000-2001 team was defined by terrific team defense. Brown’s coaching genius was realized when he figured out that the only way to offset Iverson’s selfishness on offense was to not let the other team score when they were on defense.
Recent reports now have the Philadelphia 76ers contemplating bring Iverson back for a second round with the team. Before making that offer, Ed Stefanski would be wise to watch the replay of the infamous press conference that will always be the legacy that Iverson leaves behind, regardless if a desperate team decides to give him one more shot.
