Interesting Iverson Article

[ThaPreacher]

 Absolutely, David Stern and ESPN did not want to see Iverson play in the league.
This is a shame!!

I do not know if this is true or untrue.
However, after reading the 6 pages on this Forum topic,
which, I might add: the interesting topic quickly diminished into half-wrought facts, old quotes and misinformation.
And flaming....


So I will leave these questions.

1.  Allen Iverson is better than how many players under current contract including Rookies and Veterans?
(basically look at the NBA Rosters and answer the question honestly)

2.  Which teams could he currently help in a playoff situation?  (list them)


If you have more than 10 players in question 1
and more than 5 teams in question 2, you have to be logical and say that yes:  he is being shunned.

So don't lie about the facts.

On the other hand, ask yourself these two questions.

1)  What coaching staff wants to work with Allen Iverson
(list teams)

2)  What locker rooms have enough veteran presence and chemistry to deal with potential fallout.
(list teams)


And there you have the real issues.


Fact is Allen Iverson can still ball.
If you don't believe me, ask say Carmelo Anthony.
Fact is, he is a pain in the tattoo.  Ask Larry Brown.

Conspiracy?  Idk.  Rodman like indeed.

[LB3533]

I am pretty sure Memphis never told AI he would start, but never told him he was a bench player either.

AI got hurt in training camp/preseason (hamstring I think) and he never played in any preseason games (if I recall correctly).

AI was behind the other guys due to injury...he wasn't a starter because he was told he wasn't going to be one....he wasn't a starter because the others were ahead of the curve.

I am pretty darn sure the Grizzlies gave AI the wrong or false impression...that is why AI signed with them.

AI never signed with the Grizzlies to be a reserve player...he was playing for his next contract, to prove he was still a star in the league....to prove that Detroit was a fluke.

[celticsclay]

This post now has two people claiming to have inside knowledge of Iverson's personality or have had an encounter with him. I will go ahead and believe both of you, but that is pretty crazy. As for the last posters challenge I may take you up on that player challenge tomorrow and be able to be realistic about it, however, off the top of my head he is probably better then about five players the heat filled their roster out with alone.

The second part is a lot trickier question, cause if it is teams that think they have a shot at the playoffs then most teams probably do. For example, I don't think the Knicks will make the playoffs, but they and their fans probably they think they have a shot at grabbing the 7th or 8 seed. A team like them could certainly use Iverson as a backup to Felton. I also think the Bobcats could definitely use him as a backup. Is Cleveland a fringe playoff contender with Parker, Hickson, Varejo, Jamison, Moon, Parker etc? Probably not, but they could use him. I think the Heat could use him as well. Out west the jazz could probably use him for some offense off the bench (Im not a fan of their backups).Clippers could use him to back up Gordon/Davis. Also, he might even make sense on the spurs, I think they lost one of their guards this offseason and their team has definitely lacked offense the last couple years. That's just random off the top of my head without analyzing rosters..  

[GreenFaith1819]

Well Nick - that's all well and good, but even with what you said, I cannot believe hearsay.

I've never met AI to see how he is in person. This is not to disparage you or this person who claims to know AI.

For me, I have to see it to believe it. People start rumors, tell half-truths all the time - for various reasons.

Whose to say - hypothetically - that this person who claims to know AI is not just jealous because he didn't date them?

Just sayin'.

I'm not ready to be Allen Iverson's lawyer - but just like any other human being I have to give him the benefit of the doubt - for myself.

Since my likelyhood of meeting AI in person is very small, then I have to withhold final judgement on the man. There are too many rumors/hearsay in the world, and peoples' reps torn down - off of a rumor.

[GreenFaith1819]

Ok - now I'm convinced of one thing - Allen Iverson is not selfish:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwUUUdW9mKY

I know that there are other players that do things for the community and give in other forms, but for me, this video just illustrates how much he is just like the rest of us.

Imperfect? Sure. Lost a step? I'm sure he has.

But if the man never picks up a Basketball in the NBA ever again, then he is at least a hero to some.

And he didn't need ESPN to let me know that.

[kozlodoev]

Is there any proof of this? There is so much mis-information out there.

“I had a problem with my butt from sitting on the bench so long,” Iverson said. “That’s the only thing I had a problem with.”

“I’m not a reserve basketball player,” Iverson said. “I’ve never been a reserve all my life and I’m not going to start looking at myself as a reserve. That’s something for the media to talk about.

“I went to the bench and told my teammates that I didn’t think they knew I was in the game,” Iverson said. “They didn’t. They didn’t even think I was in the game and that was a bad thing. I was like, ‘Man, I was wide-open.’

Looks like the perfect team player. Unless, of course, you think he's misinforming us.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-iversongrizzlies110309

[GreenFaith1819]

Kozo - TP for the post. Very Informative - especially the part where it appears as if AI was more effective than Mike Conley.

I would suggest that folks read the entire article here and then judge for themselves.

To me, I get the impression from the article of an inexperienced coach in Lionel Hollins.

Even after AI left, MEM didn't contend. His time on that team, however rocky, did not keep them from competing and trying to win.

They didn't. And AI cannot be blamed for all of that.

Please - Read the entire article.

[celticsclay]

Ok - now I'm convinced of one thing - Allen Iverson is not selfish:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwUUUdW9mKY

I know that there are other players that do things for the community and give in other forms, but for me, this video just illustrates how much he is just like the rest of us.

Imperfect? Sure. Lost a step? I'm sure he has.

But if the man never picks up a Basketball in the NBA ever again, then he is at least a hero to some.

And he didn't need ESPN to let me know that.

Thanks for sharing. I gave you a Tommy point for the video and will give you a few more when I have chance. To me this is a more enjoyable and meaningful thing to watch then a few quotes taken by a reporter looking for buzz when he knows a guy is frustrated. Obviously, this video doesn't show that he is some great person or even a good person, but I think it would probably show there is a little more to him then what some would like to portray him as.

I think we all throw stones from glass houses on these message boards to a certain extent. I know that if everyone kept track of all my soundbites and put microphones in front of me day in and day out I would eventually get caught saying some things that would reflect on me pretty poorly. I was not even an iverson fan when I started this thread, but I continue to feel myself pushed towards rooting for the guy just based on what other say.

[kozlodoev]

Kozo - TP for the post. Very Informative - especially the part where it appears as if AI was more effective than Mike Conley.

I would suggest that folks read the entire article here and then judge for themselves.

To me, I get the impression from the article of an inexperienced coach in Lionel Hollins.

Even after AI left, MEM didn't contend. His time on that team, however rocky, did not keep them from competing and trying to win.

They didn't. And AI cannot be blamed for all of that.

Please - Read the entire article.

What exactly am I supposed to read? You asked about evidence. There is evidence that:

1. AI whined about his role, even though he was informed about it (and allegedly agreed) way in advance.

2. The Grizzlies eventually had to waive him.

If AI's idea of "competing" is whining until he gets started, or the team waives him, no wonder he isn't signed for the coming season.

[the_Bird]

Kozo - TP for the post. Very Informative - especially the part where it appears as if AI was more effective than Mike Conley.

I would suggest that folks read the entire article here and then judge for themselves.

To me, I get the impression from the article of an inexperienced coach in Lionel Hollins.

Even after AI left, MEM didn't contend. His time on that team, however rocky, did not keep them from competing and trying to win.

They didn't. And AI cannot be blamed for all of that.

Please - Read the entire article.

What exactly am I supposed to read? You asked about evidence. There is evidence that:

1. AI whined about his role, even though he was informed about it (and allegedly agreed) way in advance.

2. The Grizzlies eventually had to waive him.

If AI's idea of "competing" is whining until he gets started, or the team waives him, no wonder he isn't signed for the coming season.

Completely in agreement.  Dude didn't even wait for two freakin' games before whining that he wasn't starting.  His first Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.ing game back after missing all of the preseason and the first three games of the regular season, and he's Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.ing and moaning about coming off the bench?  Really?

I mean, it was obvious from the moment he signed that contract that AI-in-Memphis was going to end very, very badly, but never would I have imagined he couldn't have sucked it up for more than one [dang] game.

Iverson just doesn't get it.  He's not that good anymore.  He *should* be sixth man of the year, a better version of Jet Terry, but his ego is far, far too large for him to do that.

Hell with Iverson.  He quit on Detroit.  He quit on Memphis.  Quit.  QUIT!  We talkin' 'bout QUITTING!  QUITTING!

[celticsclay]

Kozo - TP for the post. Very Informative - especially the part where it appears as if AI was more effective than Mike Conley.

I would suggest that folks read the entire article here and then judge for themselves.

To me, I get the impression from the article of an inexperienced coach in Lionel Hollins.

Even after AI left, MEM didn't contend. His time on that team, however rocky, did not keep them from competing and trying to win.

They didn't. And AI cannot be blamed for all of that.

Please - Read the entire article.

I don't think that was Kozo's intent with posting the article, but I gotta agree that story makes the coach look less then flattering, not just Iverson. Its interesting to note that Iverson said he would play only ten minutes if they were actually winning. Finally, for those arguing about how many times Iverson has blown it (still waiting for someone to address the moss comparison) how about Randolph. That guy was considered one of the biggest losers of the league across three different teams. He was in and out of trouble with the law teammates etc. Well he ended up making the all star game last year.

[the_Bird]

Kozo - TP for the post. Very Informative - especially the part where it appears as if AI was more effective than Mike Conley.

I would suggest that folks read the entire article here and then judge for themselves.

To me, I get the impression from the article of an inexperienced coach in Lionel Hollins.

Even after AI left, MEM didn't contend. His time on that team, however rocky, did not keep them from competing and trying to win.

They didn't. And AI cannot be blamed for all of that.

Please - Read the entire article.

I don't think that was Kozo's intent with posting the article, but I gotta agree that story makes the coach look less then flattering, not just Iverson. Its interesting to note that Iverson said he would play only ten minutes if they were actually winning. Finally, for those arguing about how many times Iverson has blown it (still waiting for someone to address the moss comparison) how about Randolph. That guy was considered one of the biggest losers of the league across three different teams. He was in and out of trouble with the law teammates etc. Well he ended up making the all star game last year.

That caveat about "I'm fine with playing 10 minutes if we're winning" is completely, utterly, 100%, absolutely, no-Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.ing-doubt-about-it MEANINGLESS, since it came after Iverson played in ONE single game and then Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.ed that he had to come off the bench.  Hell with Iverson.

[celticsclay]

Kozo - TP for the post. Very Informative - especially the part where it appears as if AI was more effective than Mike Conley.

I would suggest that folks read the entire article here and then judge for themselves.

To me, I get the impression from the article of an inexperienced coach in Lionel Hollins.

Even after AI left, MEM didn't contend. His time on that team, however rocky, did not keep them from competing and trying to win.

They didn't. And AI cannot be blamed for all of that.

Please - Read the entire article.

I don't think that was Kozo's intent with posting the article, but I gotta agree that story makes the coach look less then flattering, not just Iverson. Its interesting to note that Iverson said he would play only ten minutes if they were actually winning. Finally, for those arguing about how many times Iverson has blown it (still waiting for someone to address the moss comparison) how about Randolph. That guy was considered one of the biggest losers of the league across three different teams. He was in and out of trouble with the law teammates etc. Well he ended up making the all star game last year.

That caveat about "I'm fine with playing 10 minutes if we're winning" is completely, utterly, 100%, absolutely, no-****ing-doubt-about-it MEANINGLESS, since it came after Iverson played in ONE single game and then ****ed that he had to come off the bench.  Hell with Iverson.

If we are gonna use Iverson's quotes only when they serve our own agendas, whats the point of even using them at all? I have admitted that he made some really big mistakes in his tenure in Memphis. I do disagree a lot on the detroit situation, and don't really think that was his fault. Lets see when Michael Curry coaches an NBA team successfully. All that said, saying "hell with iverson" and cursing in your posts a lot doesn't strengthen your argument. I can understand you are not a fan of Iverson, but I am not sure what else. I give respect to Kozo for finding a good article and for some of the anti-iverson signing in the league posters that have made good points. I also appreciated the way the preacher handed things. Overall this thread has been good healthy discussion. I can only imagine what would happen if Nate got hurt and we signed this guy lol

[kozlodoev]

Well, he's quoted both on saying that he'll be happy playing 10 minutes on a winning team, and that he's "not a reserve type of player". Go figure.

Actually, there's nothing much to figure. His actions are quite revealing. True professionals typically just keep their trap shut and play.

[GreenFaith1819]

So, the_Bird - let me ask you this:

What does AI have in common with the greatest players to have ever played in the NBA?

IMO - Desire, and they hate to lose. I didn't want to even try to name certain players, because that would take too long.

Let's imagine this: How long would Larry, Magic, Kobe, or Pierce sit before they got so upset with their team losing that they just became vocal and complained?

Do you think it would've been A true warrior's mentality to just be happy about losing?

Yes - AI went about it the wrong way. But I ask you this: How else would/should AI have handled it?

Lionel Hollins is a good coach - but not truthful here. He should've never allowed AI to come into MEM if he didn't think MEM would compete.

This makes me even sadder about TA going there, now. If TA is looking for PT in MEM, he may be mistaken.

I wonder what Lionel Hollins promised TA that Danny didn't already?