A.I.: Give Me a Starting Role or Give Me Retirement
Recently, Allen Iverson let the world know his true feelings about being a sixth man for the Pistons, and in case you thought he was through with the venting, you clearly don’t know him well enough.
A.I. was at it again last night, more bitter than ever, following a 17 minute, four-point performance in yet another losing effort for Detroit.
The Sporting News and the AP bring us Iverson’s feelings (and not-so-subtle warnings) to whatever team decides to bring him into the fold next season:
“I’m in a position now that I’ve never been in my whole life,” Iverson said. “It’s harder than I thought it would be. With the back injury, I have to sit out at the start, then go in, then sit again. It’s tough to really get going. I take my hat off to the guys who can come off the bench and be effective. It’s tough for me. I’m struggling with it.”
“I’d rather retire before I do this again,” Iverson said. “I can’t be effective playing this way. I’m not used to it. It’s tough for me both mentally and physically. If I’m able to go out there, I should be able to get it done and I can’t right now. It’s my fault. I have to be able to overcome the adversity and do what I have to do. I just have to find a way to get it done. Not being 100 percent makes it harder and you can see that I’m not 100 percent.”
“I’m happy with my career and the things I’ve done in my career,” Iverson said. “I feel blessed that I’ve had the opportunity to accomplish the things that I’ve accomplished, to do the things that I’ve done. I would feel fine if I had to (retire).”
Retirement talk aside, it sounds as though Iverson wants to have it both ways. He says he’s not 100% healthy, and yet feels entitled to starters’ minutes.
I’d love to know which contender Iverson imagines will be willing to not only sign him next season, but also make him a cornerstone of their quest for a ring – something he has maintained is his number one priority, and a claim that is getting harder and harder to believe.
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Thing with AI is that he always speaks straight from the heart. It is why so many people love him. I would hate to see him retire because of this..
Well…seems that A.I’s advisors are reading SLAMONLINE after all!!!! (and how could they do otherwise….)
KG became 1 of the 5 superstars boston has
Starbury the same
A.I.´s talkin about retirement..
nba is kinda boring right now…
By the way: Olympiakos is heating up at the right moment ,3 weeks before the Final-4…i like our chances,although i hate to admit that Panathinaikos is a better team…but we ain’t far behind either…our bench is better than the one of most NBA teams: Janeero Pargo, Josh Childress, Schortsianitis, Greer!!!!
He don’t know who is ALLEN IVERSON!!!
@Darksaber…:i don’t hate “A.I.:the man”, at all. I actually respect him for the good that he has caused to my favorite game.To me he is one of the 5 most important figures (i came close to write “cartoons” here…my bad..) for the game of bball in the last 30 years along with M.J,BIRD,MAGIC,STERN and Phil Knight…. just for this reason,his hall of fame induction should be automatic. At the same time it seems to me really strange to the point that it becomes hilarious that so many people can’t see that the guy is a terrible player for serious bball games…why? Because he simply DOESN’T GET IT . And i forgive him for this also, because it ain’t his fault. I’ll say it indirectly-politely: It ain’t his fault for the same reason that it ain’t my fault that i will never be a nobel prize winner no matter how hard i try (or whatever my environment was) and for the same reason that Eboy,Teddy,Jukai(sorry for the rest of our little geniouses i forgot to mention..) will never be able to even enter Harvard no matter how hard they try…
What about if the Spurs picked him up and brought he and Manu off the bench?
Or, Dallas picked him up and paired him with Dirk, Howard and maybe Kidd?
The Bobcats could use him for one year at least, maybe two.
Shoot, if Cleveland doesn’t win it all this year, they might take a flier as well.
At one year and $7-9 million every team in the league would consider an Iverson experiment for the box office results and the on court possibilities.
But, I think Iverson might want some more financial security. He’s made a lot of money, but he’s also spent a lot a lot of money.
The Spurs are old and their window is almost completely shut.
You telling me that they wouldn’t be willing to take a one year chance on Allen Iverson with the hope of capitalizing on the few years Duncan has left at peak form?
Considering how often Manu gets injured, it would make sense to me. Manu can’t stay healthy and whenever he goes down, it puts too much strain on Duncan and Parker. You add Iverson to the mix, and BINGO, problem solved.
If you’d actually watched Pistons games, you know that Iverson is not the ball hogging cancer he’s been villified as. Sure, he hurts ball movement sometimes, but so do Kobe and Shaq. That’s what scorers do occassionally.
Take off your blinders. How many people made this a positive? I’m the resident Iverson d(ick rider and even I said this was unacceptable.
Cats on here complain that I’m too hard on Nash, but I’ve noticed that there is a backlash from a lot of folks against Iverson for a lot of perceived problems with his game. It’s cool to have an opinion, but let’s be honest.
Iverson’s love by the folks who follow Slam and it’s ilk, is probably on the same level as the love Nash has gotten from the mainstream media and folks who think the NBA is turning into crap.
Two different market segments, same sort of blind love.
The difference is that one group creates opinions among millions of people and one groups buys lots of athletic gear.
Guess which group I’m more concerned about?
Maybe Iverson, Nash, McGrady, Vince and Dirk can all join the Celtics next season?
Leaving your “the media is to blame for everything” point aside for the moment(I don’t get major American sports media over here,it doesn’t influence me-I don’t care about it),I wasn’t actually talking about this comments section particularly,though I bet if I go back and read all the comments I’ll find at least one “AI does his own thing” or something along those lines.I don’t think I’m the one wearing blinders here,I accept that AI is a great basketball player,but the dude gets a free pass for doing things that anyone else would get chastised for.Let’s take the Nash thing since you brought it up,when Nash made some pretty mildly whiny comments a while back,people jumped on him(not just you I’m referring to),which I thought was pretty fair,dude says some stupid comments-he deserves to be criticized for them.This doesn’t apply to AI.Criticising AI seems to bring an odd stigma of somehow if you don’t go with what AI says,you’re somehow not a real fan.I absolutely see where AI deserves his respect,he’s one of my favourites to watch still and one of the best pure scorers ever to play the game,but his dealings with the media and general attitude(READ:demands shots and must be centre of team not his attitude on court) are something I can’t go with.Just to mention,I can totally see why people would act like this concerning AI,to a generation he is basketball.But perspective wise,for me,he is a supremely gifted volume scorer who couldn’t play on talented teams.For me,his legacy will always be more than what it should be and the reason AI has never won anything has been AI.
Dalembert can come off the bench [...] Insert:
Dalembert can stay on the bench [...] All other sentences remain unchanged.
Everyone else: I’m going to tell you all something SHOCKING that may TOTALLY BLOW YOUR MINDS AWAY!!!
Perhaps Iverson SAYS he wont come off the bench but when he realize he wont win a ring any other way and sees a championship team he has a chance to win a ring on by being that sixth man (it ain’t Detroit), he may TOTALLY DO IT ANYWAY!!! I don’t ever remember Iverson’s word ever being bond.
If the salaries don’t match up, send some nobody bench loser from Denver to Detroit who Detroit can buy out in a day or two. Problem solved!
Eh?
EH?
If you take one or two positive comments and extrapolate the general consensus on a comments section, despite dozens of comments that contradict your thesis, I think you’re wearing blinders. The general theme on this comments section was “A.I. is effing up his legacy. Why did this have to happen…”
Few people made excuses for Iverson, and even fewer people excused his recent rant. However, once we were don’t talking about how this was a a bad move, we then discussed ways that Iverson’s legacy could be salvaged. Some folks said it’s unlikely, while I threw out several teams that could use an aging, two guard, who can still drop 30 at any given time, and also get you 10 assists.
As far as my media rant, I don’t blame the media for everything. But, since I actually work in the media, have two degrees in a media related field, and have read several books about the effects of media on people’s opinions, I tend to give the media a lot of credit for how they are able to shape public opinion. I don’t pretend to be immune to propoganda, and I think anybody who thinks they are is fooling themselves.
Lastly, I think different segments of the population have different opinions of Iverson. I’m old enough to remember, when Iverson was public enemy number one in the NBA and represented everything that was wrong with the league. I remember when he was a big-headed “thug” who belonged on the playground, not the true hardwood. Those weren’t scattered opinions, those were the mainstream opinions that created public perception. When SLAM began championing Iverson it solidified their “outsider” status, it definitely was not the mainstream or popular thing to do. It was only after 2001 that Iverson’s rep improved, particularly after he became more loquacious with the media. Plus, he sells tickets.
So, I think Iverson has taken his lumps and earned his praise. I’m trying to figure out if you can honestly argue that Nash has ever received the public drubbing that Iverson has received for controversial stances or decisions. Not that Nash has had as many problems as Iverson, but since you said that folks “jumped all over” Nash.
Allen Iverson
Roughly 24,000 points
5,500 assists
1,900 steals
3,100 turnover
Steve Nash
Roughly 13,000 points
7,100 assists
2,500 turnovers
The cumulative numbers tell me that Iverson’s career is not solely defined by his performance in a single year. True, that was the best year of his career team-wise, but you could argue that he’s had better individuals seasons (three years of 30 and 7) while his team struggled with rebuilding.
Sure, 2001 made him a mainstream icon, but you don’t come into the league dropping 23 and 7, and then have your career defined by one year.
First, Iverson has been to the playoffs a total of nine times in his 13 seasons, and has actually been out of the first round four or five times in that span. So, there’s the big difference.
However, I will admit that before 2004, most folks would have said there was very little difference between Iverson and McGrady, and McGrady would probably have been viewed as having a great career, despite his first round troubles.
However, once McGrady admitted to not trying hard all the time, and was then killed by the injury bug, well his career took a nosedive. So, since about 2004, Iverson and McGrady have had very different career trajectories. Hence the difference in public opinion which has very little to do with 2001.
Saying “take away 2001″ is like me saying let’s judge Kobe’s career without Shaq.
Silly.
Several disappointing playoffs loses, that featured him potentially quitting on his team, or having his team swept by other squads. Rampant and consistent gunning. Off the court travails, and an inability to get along with most teammates.
That’s why Shaq asked Kobe how his buttocks tastes.
Oh, and unlike McGrady, Iverson came into the league killing.
I apologize. I thought you meant something totally different by your earlier comment, mainly that without 2001, would Iverson’s career be considered as special.
That, to me, was incorrect.
However, if you’re saying that his success convinced GMs they could build teams around him, and you’re arguing that was a mistake, I can definitely see your point and I think that’s a legit argument.
On the system issue, as you pointed out, most great players excel in certain systems. Iverson excelled when he could dominate the ball, create his own shots and create shots for teammates.
Nash excels when he dominates the ball, creates his own shot and creates shots for teammates.
Because Nash does more creating for teammates than shooting, he’s gotten a better rep.
He’s also played with much better teammates.
I concede that Kobe is not the best comparision.
But, I think I made my point.
That arbitrarily tossing out certain seasons is ridiculous.
In his rookie year, Iverson broke Wilt Chamberlain’s rookie record for consecutive games with 40 or more points.
Are you arguing that a player who did that wouldn’t have established himself as one of the best to play the game without the success he had in 2001?
I don’t think that argument holds water.
Now, your other argument makes some sense. I have been critically of lots of things about Iverson’s career and how he’s managed it. I just don’t agree with most of the trite arguments that people trot out.
Quick, name the second best player Iverson has played with outside of Carmelo Anthony.
Let’s not forget that Iverson actually created one of the most widely used basketball moves in the modern game. That’s enough for icon status by itself.
I agree that it’s difficult to build a team around Iverson, and I admit that his career may have been viewed in a different light without 2001.
But, I don’t think that would have changed the REALITY of what he’s meant to the game, at least not in my eyes. Total package, he’s one of the most influential players in basketball history, despite his lack of hardware or serious playoff success.
Here’s an interesting comparision. What about the similarities between Iverson’s career and Jerry West’s? I know West had far more playoffs success, but he had much better talent, and he still only managed one ring. How would his career be viewed if not for that one ring, and would that change what his true impact on the game was?
He doesn’t possess the same physical gifts that a young Iverson possessed that allowed him to overcome his stature when the entire other team was focused on him scoring.
People forget that while Iverson got a lot of shots in Philly, those were some of the most difficult shots anybody has ever gotten because of the dearth of offensive talent around him.
I think there are some players that could have matched Iverson’s scoring, but not many, and none of them are 5’11″ 160 pounds.
To all those talking about A.I. getting in Europe i will tell you 2 things that are guaranteed: 1)there are only 4-5 teams (max)that can pay at the moment players over 3 million a year after the Russian stockmarket and commodities collapse. 2) those 4-5 teams are all top level Euroleague teams and A.I. cannot play at this level (i know you will never believe this but ,simply put, he would never be able to comprehend the complex plays those teams run in every possesion down the flour). Does this mean that there is no way he will come in Europe..? No because there is one president that likes to through money around just to build up the team image worldwide like he did with Childress even though it was clear that all just can do is dunk only if running alone on the break…the idea of having A.I. on my team and Panathinaikos fans laghing on the results of such a move is making me sick…
@Russ…..:like many kids you write that the cartoon ain’t good for a team game like basketball BUT it definitely has “individual talent”…Please somebody explain me this cause i am too stupid to figure this out…i mean…if he ain’t good for bball (since it is a team game as Russ said) he has individual talent for doing W-H-A-T..? I’ll tell you: he had great talent to be a track&field athlete or one of the best soccer players of all time (he would be more famous worldwide if soccer was popular in the states, A.I. had the perfect tools to be a striker). Of course he choose bball cause he could make more money. Simple as that.
“Which is also why the “came into this league killing it” pint isn’t exactly fair in the compariosn with TMac. He’s basically been the number 1 option (maybe 1b in Denver) his entire career. While TMAc came to Toronto where his cuz, Vince, was already the slightly more established wing scorer. I just think Iverson’s time of completely defying the odds is over, if he had less of a sense of entitlement about who he “is” as an NBA player I’d probably feel more sympathetic. I think Russ nailed it earlier, when he said that Ivy should basically just be honest and say that, yes, he wants a chip, but he wants it his way and if the choice is coming off “somebody’s bench” to get one then he’d rather just say peace.
At this point, I’m pretty sure that’s how he is seen.
Iverson jeresys would be on peoples backs, Orange Reebok ‘Answers’ would be on peoples feet, we would have a lock at least 1 representative at the All Star Game, we would get on real national tv (TNT, ESPN, ABC), and we would get that thing we crave for: RESPECT. So please, i know he isnt young, i know he wont average 30 a game, but just please bring me Allen Iverson. ”
__________________
Thomas Edison didn’t even the light bulb.
Only he did.
I gave him credit for inventing the crossover because although he learned it from a teammate killing him in practice, it was Iverson who unleashed it on the world. That’s a proven fact. He created a move that every serious basketball player in America has learned how to do since 1995.
You will get no argument that Jerry West’s failure to win more than one ring was due to losing to Boston every year.
But, I don’t think an argument can be made that any GM did a could job of surrounding Iverson with talent that could allow him to take his game to the next level.
It’s possible to have defenders who can also hit jumpshot. Bruce Bowen and Raja Bell are proof of that. It’s possible to find defensive minded point guards who can shoot the ball, and serious all-around talents who do not need lots of touches to be successful. Plenty of NBA players fit these descriptions.
The simple truth is that while Iverson has historically had horribel shooting percentages, if you look at the years he spent in Denver in an uptempo style with legit scorers, he’s up around 45 percent. I would argue that the style of play that Larry Brown played was not conducive to great shooting percentages because it placed a premium on ball control and asked Iverson to score primarily in the halfcourt with the defense loaded up against him.
There is no doubt that Iverson has taken a lot of shots, but he has always been the focal point of teams and has been asked to play that role. He has been able to allow subpar players to have CAREER years playig alongside him thanks to the scoring opportunities he creates.
Finally, I never argued that Iverson was the shooter or player that Jerry West was. I just argued that without one year of success, West’s career would have been viewed differently. Also, if we want to talk about undersized volume shooters and their legacies, why don’t we look at one of West’s teammates, the amazing Elgin Baylor, whose shooting percentage also hovered around 40 percent for much of his career. Let’s not even discuss someone like Bob Cousy…
Iverson’s low shooting percentages are not unusual in the history of the league or in the history of great players. What is unprecendented is someone of his stature being able to singlehandedly carry a team offensively over the course of multiple seasons, and have some relative success in the playoffs.
Obviously what happened in 2001 buttressed Iverson’s reputation, but it in no way “made” his career.
Ciolk
Iverson has always said that if he’s not on the number one or number two threat on his opponents scouting report, it’s time for him to quit. That’s his mentality.
Greek dude
Would you mind not speaking to me, and not speaking about me? I’d appreciate it greatly. If you want to make asinine comments, that’s your right, but I’d prefer it if you’d keep my name out of it. I can’t force you, but I’d appreciate it.
Just because nobody has figured out a way to do something, doesn’t mean it’s impossible, or that it was ever impossible.
Newspaper’s haven’t figured out a way to make real money off internet advertising, doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
No coach or GM has built a championship team around Allen Iverson, doens’t mean it can’t happen.
Before Jordan won his rings, few people thought you could win a championship without a dominant big man.
What’s the difference?
Both fantastic, athletic talents that came out of nowhere and changed the league with their made-for-highlight skills and their moves that no one had ever seen before… yet both high-volume, low return shooters that needed to dominate the ball and take 30 shots a game to be effective, that ignored defense because they wanted to play offense, that simply couldn’t deliver with a talented team. I never thought it was a coincidence that the Lakers won a title only when Elgin Baylor retired.
He thought Shawn’s nickname was RAINMAN. LMFAO!! Learn how to spell “reign”, you “brainless idiot”.
Its simply incredible how this Jukb!tch @sshole thinks he’s so smart, when really he’s the biggest idiot here.
Bahahahahaha
PS: Tony Parker wants you to get off his nuts!
But I will never excuse brainwashed filth like what you’re spewing about Iverson. It’s comatose-level ignorance at its height. The dude is acting spoiled beyond all reasonable measures. The dude has just sealed the deal to all his doubters that he CAN’T play with a team, that he CAN’T play anything but one on five basketball, and he’s telling everyone that HE WONT EVER GIVE HIMSELF A CHANCE TO PROVE OTHERWISE. And your response, between heavy breathing and grunted ‘durs’ is just “Iverson is the man, leave him alone!!”
Seriously?
Please. Please please PLEASE. Never breed.
Yet, you continue to act like you’re smart… Seriously kid, I’m sorry to say but you’re actually kind of stupid. No, REALLY stupid. You might have been told different as a child when your special Ed teacher finally taught you your ABC’s.
You are dunzo. Thanks, poser.
I’m sure you’ve been reassured before that it happens to a ‘lot’ of guys.
Plus why are you saying ‘dunzo?’ What the hell is this, Sesame Street for thugs?
It’s funny that you’re putting so much effort into this but nothing funny ever comes of it just about every time.
Thanks, I win 21-0.
Jukai is sonned.
And Rob, you sound really, really g@y. Jukai’s BFF?! LMFAO
BTW, you can thank me later SLAMmers. I’m doing you all a big service by sonning Jukai and shutting him up.
Russ, I’m curious, when did you do that John Starks program on MSG? What year?
Cavs are only up on the Wizards by one point right now. If somehow the stars align and the Wizards pull off another upset, I owe James the Balla a fruit basket.
Thanks.
Goodnight.
’nuff said.
also, you haters need to shut up about AI.
Darksaber: It’s funny, because as much as I was ranting about tell-tale signs about the Lakers and Spurs losing, I’m much more worried about the way the Cavs are playing. Now, I’m loving all these tiny-ass grabs multiple players are pulling on Lebron that ain’t being called (they’re all ticky tack enough to be left alone, but I’ve never seen so many players do it at once) but that’s not the problem. This is the SAME WAY both Houston and the Celtics beat the Cavs: push the pace in transition and hit the cutting forward or rush out the Cavs center JUST as the opponent’s five plants himself under the basket. It KILLS the Cavs. And when the Cavs don’t play good defense, suddenly their shots stop; not that they don’t fall, but shots the Cavs would take suddenly stop. Fourth time I’ve seen the Cavs be beat like this.
Now, in fairness, Lebron and Williams have tripped about six times and I think someone waxed the bottoms of their shoes, that’s a lesser issue.
PS: Wtf Joel?
Jukai is much tougher to d!ss and annoy then BETCATS is, I’ll tell you that.
Good thing I have this experience, which sharpens up my skills when I become Gaz– er, did I say that? I didn’t mean that. LOL just kidding. Seriously, I ain’t Gaz.
Lol okay I’m done. This back and forth is getting annoying.
So one time I was out at Foxwoods, playin’ the 1/2 no limit hold ‘em. I wasn’t doing terribly well, some guys had built up a huge chip lead and were bullying everyone out. Wasn’t makin’ much headway without some high cards off the bat, and when I went in, people knew that I must have had something. My luck changed when a raggedy European man in a suit that was clearly worn too many days straight sat down at our table, took out two hundred crisp new dollars and got some chips. He immediately raised my two pairs and right off the bat I grabbed nearly 90 bucks off one play. This happened again, with the person next to me. And then next to me. This man seemed to go in on everything. Everytime he’d get one hundred bucks, he’d lose three hundred. I stayed for forty five minutes, then respectfully left the table because I couldn’t take it anymore. Every time this guy lost, he bought more chips, even though he clearly didn’t have any money. Every time someone made this guy looked miserable, he kept buying in chips. He had clear problems: not only a severe gambling addiction, but this guy thought he was GREAT. Every time he lost, he explained it in some dynamic way which involved him being right but the other guy just getting lucky. It was awful, and I just couldn’t keep taking his money and watching others do the same. Some people just don’t see how bad they are.
And if you guys don’t get how this story relates to the situation, then just tell Teddy’s mother to stop wearing different color lipstick because I’m getting a rainbow around my d!ck. I’m out, peace!
I don’t even take the cat seriously. I already ether’d him beginning at 10:12 pm, with “intelligent comebacks”, if you will. In other words, he’s been sonned.
Peace Jukster!
PS: Yo mama jokes are played out. You’re played out. Thanks for making this all the more fun by spazzing, showing us all your true idiotic colors.
PEACE DUN
THIS E BS IS OVER.
They won’t let me put ‘ in my name!
I could have taken the high road with this. But I am sadistic. We’ll see.
End of game, thanks for playing Jukai.
You’re done.
@Jukai…..:you spend over 3 hours answering to a guy that makes Eboy,TADone AND Allenp look like Nicolas Tesla…i mean..the guy wasn’t able to constract one single line of argumentation in 3 hours….what where you thinking…?
JUST LIKE TEDDY’S MOM OHHHHHH OHHHH OHHHH
Iverson once put up 33 a season with 7 assists on 44 percent shooting. Where did you get your stats?
Homie, you need to watch old film of Iverson and then watch some game tape from last season.
Matter of fact, just go to my blog, http://www.ravingblacklunatic.blogspot.com, and do a search for “iverson.”
I have an entire column dedicated to explaining the evolution of this game. To say his game hasn’t changed is a sign that you aren’t really watching.
Thanks for making my comments before I did.
I’m starting to question Z’s opinion on Iverson.
And Gaz is an idiot. But its funny how he goes at BETCATS… Read some of his comments, they’re pretty cruel though… Yeah, peace dun.
i can not say the same now. He clearly is not a team player and more of a baller, hip-hop b-ball player which is not what NBA and winning chips is all about.
Look at kidd, look at VC and how he let the young guys play and evolve around him. And it’s VC who fans want to see more of his original game when it clearly isnt there anymore.
Seems to me now he’s lukin like starbury more.and the latters improved now!!
What is it with undersized scorers not quite grasping the team mentality. try to overcompensate.
You’ve proven yourself as an individual AI. Do yourself a favor if you still want to stay relevant in this league. Be a team player.
THis goes out to T-mac too. your not foolin anybody.
Hope y’all read this.
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