Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 9:00 am  |  88 responses

Reports: Iverson Possibly Headed to Charlotte

by Marcel Mutoni

Over the weekend, rumors started flying around that The Answer had finally found a basketball home again.

Word on the street is that Allen Iverson is leaning towards reuniting with his old coach, in a city he had previously cited as one of his top destination choices.

From the Charlotte Observer:

Dime Magazine’s web site reports that Allen Iverson and the Bobcats already have agreed to terms on a contract that will be signed within a week.

I’m told by a great source that’s not true. However, that doesn’t mean Iverson won’t be a Bobcat. It sounds like there’s a good chance that will happen. My source says definitively that Iverson’s first choice is to play for Larry Brown again in Charlotte, and that there have been serious discussions about making that happen.

As Larry Brown himself has pointed out, money is a concern, and the ‘Cats already have plenty of guards who need minutes, and as was made perfectly clear last season, A.I. isn’t exactly the kind of guy who’s willing to take a backseat to anyone. So, yeah, there could be issues there.

Of course, it would be a lot more exciting if Allen signed with the Knicks, but you can’t blame the guy for wanting to hook up with Mr. Play the Right Way again. Brown was the coach during Iverson’s greatest moments as a NBA player, and there’s probably no better guiding force for Allen Iverson as he puts the finishing touches on his Hall of Fame career.

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  • Brad Long Posted: Aug.24 at 9:04 am
    Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustine can’t be to excited about this, but if it happens I’m just happy A.I. found a place to play next season. A forced retirement would’ve been an ugly way to end a H.O.F. career.

  • Bryan Crawford Posted: Aug.24 at 9:14 am
    So this is what it’s come to for one of the greatest scorers of all time? He deserves to at least play for a team w/a chance of winning a championship. At the very least a team with a chance to make the playoffs. This is sad…

  • riggs Posted: Aug.24 at 9:15 am
    trade their asses i want AI as a bobcat!

  • The Ghost of Wilt Chamberlain Posted: Aug.24 at 9:18 am
    I recall a bucketload of articles in recent years talking about how Iverson has “changed” and “matured”, but he is still the epitomy of the spoilt, selfish American athlete. HOF career B Long? My how standards have dropped!

  • Peter Posted: Aug.24 at 9:21 am
    How standards have dropped? He has the fifth highest scoring average of all time!

  • Peter Posted: Aug.24 at 9:22 am
    check the company http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/pts_per_g_career.html

  • The Ghost of Wilt Chamberlain Posted: Aug.24 at 9:26 am
    And scoring has that much importance? What about character, team work, commitment to the game? I still find it sad how much importance people put on scoring – especially fans with limited knowledge of, or experience playing, the game

  • Bryan Crawford Posted: Aug.24 at 9:26 am
    The Gost of Wilt, if you seriously think that Allen Iverson isn’t an HOFer then, well…oh nevermind! Been there, done that w/people who think as you do.

  • Z Posted: Aug.24 at 9:28 am
    anyone who thinks that ai is not a 1st ballot hof is a tool. and i don’t even like his game.

  • The Ghost of Wilt Chamberlain Posted: Aug.24 at 9:30 am
    You would put him in the same class as Stockton, Jordan, Magic, Bird and all the other greats? Only a tool would think like that!

  • The Ghost of Wilt Chamberlain Posted: Aug.24 at 9:32 am
    To put AI in the same class as Jordan, Stockton, Magic and Bird, among all the other greats, would be an insult to the game.

  • frank Posted: Aug.24 at 9:33 am
    teamwork and character are very important, but if you were that good, your going to the hof

  • BETCATS Posted: Aug.24 at 9:36 am
    B.Long aka Brad Long – Raymond will most likely be dealt for a power forward if this happens (or at least that is what all the speculation is). I am very excited that we have a big name and a legit 20 points per game scorer!

  • BETCATS Posted: Aug.24 at 9:41 am
    plus, trading Felton was obviously the long term plan after drafting DJ. DJ is going to be a better player then Felton, we will soon find out if that will take a year or two to show!

  • COLT6 Posted: Aug.24 at 9:44 am
    The Ghost of Wilt Chamberlain: You are in way over your head boy. You know A.I. will be in the Hall of Fame not only because of the great Finals run in 01 but by the sheer numbers (and records) he put up throughout his career. Never mind the below six-foot frame (on the real), this dude is a Basketball genius. On to the Bobcats deal. I think it makes perfect sense that The Answer will probably finish his NBA saga in Charlotte with a
    Larry Brown-ran team in desperate need of a scorer. The team is in no contention of a title shot but I do hope that A.I. cops a ring on his way out a-la Gary Payton.

  • Brad Long Posted: Aug.24 at 9:46 am
    For sure, BET. The more minutes they give DJ, the faster he’ll mature. We saw flashes last year.

  • BETCATS Posted: Aug.24 at 9:56 am
    If this does happen (its not over til its over! and it ends when AI signs the contract) look for Boris to be used in more of a Point Forward type way then last year. Think Hedos’ role on Orlando last year. With that in mind, i fully expect Chandler-Diaw-Wallace-Bell-Iverson to make the playoffs because Larry Brown is coaching it, and LB knows what he is doing. This team could beat out Philly, Chicago, Toronto, Milwaulkee, New York, and Indy for the 8th seed. Miami is also just one Dwanye Wade injury away from being a 10 win team. To quote my friend DP “play wit it”

  • real Posted: Aug.24 at 10:22 am
    when people say iverson is a hall of famer i think its more because they like his image and personality rather than his actual game, hes not as good as a bunch of players, in my oppinion penny hardaway and grant hill deserve h.o.f more than iverson.

  • Sim Posted: Aug.24 at 10:22 am
    Lol@someone named ‘The Ghost of Wilt Chamberlain’ talking about character, teamwork, and dedication. Right

  • White Chocolate*DSC* Posted: Aug.24 at 10:43 am
    Iverson is one of my favorite players and i’ve never cared for the bobcats at all but now i might just rock a jersey

  • BETCATS Posted: Aug.24 at 10:44 am
    real is right! Allen Iverson is no hall of famer. A player that was the 1995 NCAA AP All American, 10x all star, 1996 Rookie of the year, 2001 NBA MVP, 2005 NBA All Star MVP, NBA All Rookie 1st Team, 3x NBA All 1st Team, 3x NBA All 2nd Team, 1x NBA All 3rd Team, Lead the NBA in minutes 2x, lead the NBA in steals 2x, lead the NBA in points 1x, lead the NBA in MINUTES PER GAME 7x, lead the NBA in POINTS PER GAME 4x, and lead the NBA in STEALS PER GAME 4x is not a hall of famer! NO WAY IN HELL!

  • Peter Posted: Aug.24 at 10:44 am
    “when people say iverson is a hall of famer i think its more because they like his image and personality rather than his actual game” those are the exact things that could keep him OUT of the hall…his numbers and game are what will get him in. I don’t know if people commenting here started watching basketball after 2007 or something but Iverson was something to behold in his prime. The word unstoppable was used frequently.

  • rob stewart Posted: Aug.24 at 11:16 am
    @real I think Penny and GH both had HOF talent but injuries really hurt them. They defenitley had the talent but not the accumulation of #’s and longevity it takes to be in the HOF. But neither has accomplished what Iverson has as far as points, assists, steals, etc.

  • James the balla Posted: Aug.24 at 11:17 am
    I am hoping the BETCATS trade DJ for DJ on the Lakers. That would make me happy!! We will throw is Sasha as well!!

  • boy sanchez Posted: Aug.24 at 11:18 am
    @The Ghost of Wilt: Putting AI in the same class as Jordan, Stockton, Magic and Bird, would be an insult to the game???? You are an insult to the game man!!

  • BETCATS Posted: Aug.24 at 11:19 am
    James: yeah the fu(k right…

  • jetstar7 Posted: Aug.24 at 11:27 am
    @The Ghost of Wilt: Just shut up. Do your research, or watch some A.I. in a Sixers’ jersey games before you type another word here. Hater. BETCATS: Thank you.

  • James the balla Posted: Aug.24 at 11:29 am
    I am serial BET, good trade both ways!!

  • boy sanchez Posted: Aug.24 at 11:33 am
    @jetstar7: That’s what I’m talking about! Thank you brother!

  • Tommy Patron Posted: Aug.24 at 11:40 am
    @ Wilt–A player doesn’t have to be top 5 (or 10, etc.) all-time to make the hall.

  • jetstar7 Posted: Aug.24 at 11:42 am
    @boy sanchez Gotta give credit where credit’s due, that’s all I’m saying. Peace.

  • BETCATS Posted: Aug.24 at 11:42 am
    James: if we keep felton, i am willing to do DJ and Nazr or Diop (you choose!) for Lamar and 2 second round picks

  • boy sanchez Posted: Aug.24 at 11:47 am
    Yeah, you’re right Jetstar. I really appreciate what you say. Peace!

  • Joel O's Posted: Aug.24 at 11:57 am
    @BETCATS: That looks like a perfect lineup for AI, and reminds me a lot of the bunch that surrounded AI during his best Philly seasons, only a lot more souped up. Surround him with selfless, able role players and he’ll shine. I actually really hope this happens now.

  • James the balla Posted: Aug.24 at 12:08 pm
    lol you must be crazy. Mmmmmgenga, and Sasha, for DJ!! Dj, for Tyson.

  • 360vue Posted: Aug.24 at 12:14 pm
    Bcats for ’10 NBA title

  • Scu11y Posted: Aug.24 at 12:42 pm
    Allen Iverson has had a HOF career. simple. the numbers he put up have made that so. Career PPG, points, steals, trip to finals, MVP, ASG MVP etc etc. This has nothing to do with image. His career does pale in comparison to Jordan, Magic and Bird (all multiple title winners) and Stockton (All time assists and steals by a long way and arguably the greatest PURE point in history) but if you have to compare favourably with that group as a criteria, close the doors and open it once a decade for the 1 or 2 people who would get consideration.

  • tavoris Posted: Aug.24 at 12:48 pm
    BETCATS I’m convinced it’s pointless to argue with the haters on this site…especially when they are on an AI trip.

  • BETCATS Posted: Aug.24 at 12:50 pm
    tavoris, i have been here for a long time. Its all about making the haters leave, thats what i do..

  • Scott Posted: Aug.24 at 12:59 pm
    Iverson to Charlotte makes perfect sense so it probably won’t happen.

  • Jacob J Posted: Aug.24 at 1:09 pm
    I would be nicer if he would sign with the knicks so he can average 25-30 ppg.

  • jetstar7 Posted: Aug.24 at 1:12 pm
    BETCATS, thanks for guarding the gates. A.I. does not deserve all this hate. None, none more.

  • Young Lebron 23 Posted: Aug.24 at 1:12 pm
    happy for A.I. but i would just like to see him in a sixers uni for 1 more season…

  • James the balla Posted: Aug.24 at 1:13 pm
    Hey BET, how long have you been on this site for? I think I have been on it for around 8 years or some sh!t. I had two other names before this one! One was “Lakers” and another was “re-action”!!

  • Bryan Posted: Aug.24 at 1:13 pm
    He can still average 25 to 30 on charlotte who else can score the ball out there? Wallace can get hot but is he a guy that you can just say hey get me some buckets? I don’t think so.

  • ShoeNut Posted: Aug.24 at 1:26 pm
    There will always be haters. I think AI can bring some leadership to the young Bobcats if he “wanted to”.

  • BETCATS Posted: Aug.24 at 1:37 pm
    Shia, that is exactly why we need him. We were last in the L in scoring last year. Plus we blew so many in games in the last 3 minutes because nobody knew what to do with the ball. Jamey- since i was a size 9 shoe (im a size 13 now). Translation: a long time. (but i did take a break from commenting here at one point)

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Aug.24 at 1:44 pm
    Bobcats seem nice, but KNICKS, SIGN IVERSON ALREADY.

  • niQ Posted: Aug.24 at 1:45 pm
    Why don’t they just include the Knicks into this and send either Felton or Augustin to New York? Not only are the Bobcats full at the guard position, the Knicks have been looking for a point guard all summer..

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Aug.24 at 1:52 pm
    ^^^ The Knicks are getting Ramon Sessions. I think.

  • tavoris Posted: Aug.24 at 2:01 pm
    I agree BETCATS…it’s fun sometimes…especially when certain people “reincarnate” themselves up here, instead of manning up and standing behind their vitriolic histories.

  • 360vue Posted: Aug.24 at 2:05 pm
    some tragic, tragic, tragic haters on here.
    AI is HoF bound. FACT. He has been an epic force in the game since his arrival, and hopefully he can continue to be… In reality, where does hating get you? Nowhere, you just look as bitter as a lemon, and it aint good for your psyche, just relax.

  • James the balla Posted: Aug.24 at 2:14 pm
    @BET- Yeah me too. I am only 23, but i was like 14 I think. If that sounds right. I don’t even know how long the site has been up. O, Iverson, even though I am not a huge fan. He is HOF. He was to good for to long to not be there. Whether any team wants him or not. Top 5 small men to ever play the game if you want to get technical. And Steve Nash being 6″3′ is not a small guy.

  • niQ Posted: Aug.24 at 2:35 pm
    If Scoring is not worthy of consideration for HOF status then even Kobe would not get a chance. And team work? Iverson has more career assists than Kobe and is only 100 career assists under Jordan.

  • The underrated one Posted: Aug.24 at 3:30 pm
    Whoa Ghost of wilt is taking alot of ish right now. I kinda see where he’s coming from with ai’s ego and selfishness, but come on, for as good as mj was, he was no saint. neither are the stars of today like Kobe or lebron. but does that mean they’re not HOF worthy?? sure ai has an ego, but when you’re in the to 5 scoring averages in NBA HISTORY, i think it would be hard for you not to have an ego.

  • Anton Posted: Aug.24 at 3:34 pm
    Career On Ice 2009

  • Omar3 Posted: Aug.24 at 3:52 pm
    Allen Iverson and Larry Brown will get a rematch against the Lakers in the Finals and get AI his championship ring. PS Stockton didnt get a ring either, yet he is still HOF material

  • BossTerry Posted: Aug.24 at 4:08 pm
    I liked the idea of AI in Memphis, but at this point, I just want him to sign anywhere…

  • BETCATS Posted: Aug.24 at 4:11 pm
    this is still not official?

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Aug.24 at 4:16 pm
    Not official yet, BET.

  • duncan21 Posted: Aug.24 at 4:27 pm
    Always loved AI’s game. He plays with twice the heart half the nba play with. Ppl call him selfish for taling so many shots but he’s never really been complemented with another player that can help him with the teams scoring. And he’s never been a defensive slouch as he has always played the the passing lanes better than anyone during his career and amassed so many steals.

  • Klav Posted: Aug.24 at 5:27 pm
    he’s the one who inspired me to become a better dribbler and add a little flash to my game. it’d be nice to see him finally just ink a deal for all basketball fans to watch. hurry up Charlotte!!!

  • Clipp Show 714 Posted: Aug.24 at 5:32 pm
    This is great news for TRUE bball fans. We get to watch AI play at least one more season.

  • JermareoDavidson Posted: Aug.24 at 6:43 pm
    Cant watch him play. Only if u have league pass cuz stoopid tnt dont wont the betcats on national tv

  • JE Posted: Aug.24 at 6:57 pm
    I want some of what Omar3 is smoking.

  • bashmo Posted: Aug.24 at 7:12 pm
    AI is imo the greatest player w/o a ring in the history of the league…with talent as ferocious as his, he NEEDS to pick up a ring before leaving…and wit the help of Gerald Wallace, Boris Diaw, Tyson Chandler, and DJ, he MAY BE ABLE TO DO IT!! Anything is possible! Ai u the man, I fully respect him as a player, and a human being, no homo

  • bashmo Posted: Aug.24 at 7:15 pm
    And if ppl be saying AI aint HOF, they be messed up HARD, cus this guy is unstoppable. BET put it best, the man is a genius!

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Aug.24 at 8:35 pm
    As a New Yorker, I would like for free agents to come TO the Knicks. Not go AWAY FROM. COME TO. There’s a reason he ain’t signed yet. And it isn’t because he cut his braids.

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Aug.24 at 8:36 pm
    Charlotte all the way!

  • Gumdrop Posted: Aug.24 at 9:16 pm
    Oooo, it must burn to get scooped by Dime Magazine. Like your little brother just beat you in one-on-one.

  • Witness Posted: Aug.24 at 10:02 pm
    This move isnt getting them into the playoffs.

  • vic21 Posted: Aug.24 at 11:15 pm
    great, now the poor cats are f*cked

  • dial up Posted: Aug.24 at 11:35 pm
    lmao. Funny hearing sum kids saying iverson was a “great force” in the nba. He barely hovered above .500 his whole career. Had one long playoff run thanks to his defensive minded team (his team, not him). He scored a ton of points, but it didn’t help him win any games. In fact, he prollie lost more games than he won since he’s been in the league. The ultimate loser- bar none

  • dial up Posted: Aug.24 at 11:35 pm
    lmao. Funny hearing sum kids saying iverson was a “great force” in the nba. He barely hovered above .500 his whole career. Had one long playoff run thanks to his defensive minded team (his team, not him). He scored a ton of points, but it didn’t help him win any games. In fact, he prollie lost more games than he won since he’s been in the league. The ultimate loser- bar none

  • Joel O's Posted: Aug.24 at 11:50 pm
    I hope Allen is sitting somewhere reading this post and all the commenters who are talking about him in the past tense, guys who are reveling at the fact that he’s at a low point in his life and kicking him when he’s down. And I hope he comes back next season and makes the lot of you cognitive lightweights shut up.

  • Jonathan R. Posted: Aug.24 at 11:58 pm
    @bashmo maybe the greatest player without a ring might be Karl Malone
    @ Betcats…i think u forgot to mention his other all-star game MVP…not sure if it was 01′ or 02′…..

  • Jonathan R. Posted: Aug.25 at 12:02 am
    Oh betcats u also forgot to mention that he has the second highest scoring average in playoof history….

  • DALLAS STOKES Posted: Aug.25 at 12:45 am
    After seeing the fall of the other great 90′s PG I personal feelings aside hope he kicks ass and drops 23.2ppg 10.2apg and leads the BCATS to round 2. Good luck and stay off the net Pure Point.

  • DALLAS STOKES Posted: Aug.25 at 12:46 am
    M.J. its a good thing your a gambling man…

  • DALLAS STOKES Posted: Aug.25 at 12:49 am
    BETCATS you are a hard man to please sir.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Aug.25 at 1:58 am
    @ dial up: LOL his scoring didn’t help him win any games? How about his 48 points to beat the Lakers in Game 1 of he FINALS? Thanks for playing (id!ot).

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Aug.25 at 1:58 am
    the*

  • dial up Posted: Aug.25 at 2:11 am
    I forgot, ai’s effort in game 1 helped avoid a sweep by the lakers. Kind of like lebrons shot helped avoid a sweep by the magic. Both players achieved nothin but losses. Both praised by their fan’s for their “incredible performance.” But that’s the difference between winnin a trophy, and goin home early. I’m sure allen iverson is THAT kid you see in the league scoring 40 a game, and losing every single night. It’s his game, realize it.

  • rog123 Posted: Aug.25 at 2:34 am
    Iverson is a lot like mj in many ways. Ballers started rocking cornrows because ai had em. How many kids worked on their shot cuz of mj? how many kids started working on their handles because of ai? How many people have number 23 cuz of mj? How many people have 3 cuz of ai? Players are still rocking that arm sleeve!! He represented a generation of players like mj. Not saying he is as good as mj but he did make an impression on many of the players in the L today

  • MC Pats Posted: Aug.25 at 3:03 am
    cosign rog123. he put it good.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Aug.25 at 4:30 am
    AI is obviously a lock for Hall of Fame.
    BERNARD KING NEEDS TO BE INDUCTED ALREADY THOUGH.

  • COLT6 Posted: Aug.25 at 9:11 am
    LOL @ JE! The Ghost of Wilt, Dial up and Omar3 are all effing morons. F#kcouttahere!

  • TW Posted: Sep.3 at 4:08 pm
    what would be so exciting if he played for the knicks?

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