Is This Really the End for AI?
by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
For now, the only two people who seem absolutely certain that this is the end of Allen Iverson’s career, are A.I. himself and his personal manager, Gary Moore. Everyone else is still in a bit of shock, and waiting (some hoping) to see if The Answer eventually changes his mind.
Taking a read through Iverson’s official statement regarding the retirement, one can’t help but get the feeling that even he’s not totally convinced this is the end:
I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association. I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn’t help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However, that is not the case.
I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play, and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level.
That doesn’t sound like a guy who’s ready to hang up his Reeboks forever. If anything, it sounds like a man without a country, so to speak.
Players around the League expressed sadness to see him leave the game like this, and his former coach Larry Brown says he plans to contact Allen about the decision and attempt to talk him out of it.
For the time being anyway, it’s time to say goodbye to one of the most amazing players to ever play in the NBA. He did it his way — and though he didn’t always do it the “right way” (which may have ultimately pushed him out of the League) — you have to respect him for that.
Thanks for the memories, A.I. Here’s to many more down the line.
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Thanks for everything A.I, you will be missed.
This is what happens when a sport highlights individuals over the sport itself. You get undeniable talents who can’t cope with playing as a team.
Really, how hard is it to just play as part of a team- maybe even teach/ help out the other players….make the others better. The only thing that has put AI in this position is his ego. Because if he had been in control of his ego in the firstplace he wouldn’t have been in memphis. And he would probably have a chip too
If Iverson can win 50+ games with CARMELO ANTHONY, obviously he can deal with Stephen Jackson.
the only thing stopping him from playing now is that he refuses to come off the bench. He wouldnt do it in detroit. He wouldn’t do it in Memphis. No one else will pick him up because they know he won’t come off the bench. And that IS nothing but an ego thing.
Perhaps it is his warrior past that has spoiled him. If he could go from ‘leader’ (i.e. having to be because of those around him, as you suggest) to playing a lesser (but significant) role on a team he would still be playing. Sadly it seems he can’t.
Eric Snow was ready to stab someone who dared to suggest AI was ever in the wrong.
I comprehend what you are saying, but the fact remains AI doesn’t warrant/deserve or even need to come off the bench in probably 20 teams in this L. Detroit treated him like sh!t, he was guaranteed to start every game, however, the ignorant Dumars completely and utterly negated to think of the impact that removing Billups from the Pistons would do, not only technically on the court in terms of style of play and hustle on D, but also the fact that removing the undeniable leader and most loved and respected player on the team would go down. AI wasn’t welcome in Detroit by anyone in the franchise except Dumars and probably some fans. He got dropped to the bench, kicked up a fuss, and then a magical backinjury ensured he was de-activated… Nah, not buying that, AI only plays fewer than 60 games a season when he has broken or snapped something. As for Memphis, maybe the plan of the coach was to start Conley, although from everything I heard, the FOCUS was to develop Conley whilst giving AI what he wanted. Let’s be frank about the Grizz, they had like 24-58 last year, one of the worst in the L, Conley could BE good but he isn’t good yet. Conley ain’t got jack sh!t right to be starting over AI. Also, the Memphis management were quite literally licking AIs balls after he signed… ‘one of the greatest guards ever’ ‘he will help us get to the top’ ‘he has YEARS of quality play left in him’ and so on and so on… Can’t you see how if AI is faced with all smut and praise from management but then gets to the start of the season after returning from injury and some amateur point guard is preventing him from getting him 30minutes a game?! I don’t care if you’re the nicest person on earth, that treatment is a slap in the face and completely contrasts with everything the management said publicly; and if they said such nice things publicly and considering they’re a god awful team they must have flattered even more in private. AI got mistreated in his last two years, his last season of REAL ball with a team he was happy on and the team were happy with HIM, he averaged 26/7/3/1 on like .460% FG… There is more to the situation that the smear that after his stints at their respective clubs the Grizz and Pistons management have said… They’re covering their own asses in this
Starters:
Mo williams, AI, LeBron, David West, Shaq
Daniel Gibson, AP, J.Moon, JJ Hickson, A. Varejao
Also, Leon Powe would be back in january or february to help in the playoffs and end of season.
http://phtbasketball.com/2009/11/allen-iverson-will-not-retire/
I can only go with the evidence I have at hand, since I am not privy to the back-door goings on of the NBA and I think the media has a bit of a hate on when it comes to AI. So with that, I look at the aftermath of Iverson leaving a team and what I see (or perceive) is that they look much happier. I know Philly aint no contender right now, but other than when they got to the finals, they weren’t doing a whole lot either. The Nuggets definitely got better, Detroit at least are playing cohesively again with what they have and with Memphis he wasn’t there long enough, even though I swear I saw quotes of him saying that he was looking forward to playing with a young team and competing for a spot.
On the flip though I have to say I think there are plenty other players who would also have a problem with not starting. Iverson though through being out-spoken has become a media poster-child for the “spoiled thug NBA athlete” and for those with a racist heart it goes a level deeper. Regardless AI will go down as a beast of a baller, but will he be remembered as a true winner? I dont think so, he’ll be remembered in the same light as ‘Nique is.
this is exactly what people do not like about Allen Iverson. The fact that he cannot accept that others think differently… he has not been able to adapt to changes. Look at Kobe, who certainly has lost a step or two because of all that mileage on his legs; he used to be super athletic and could always rely on his quick first step and his vertical leap. but he has been able to adapt… this year he introduced us to a new post game that he is willing to utilize in order to keep efficient.
The same can be said about Jordan. I remember when he came back from retirement (baseball!) people where complaining that he’s not dunking the way he used to… all he did was using his fade away jumper and clever head fakes etc.
Or even Vince Carter… after Jumper’s knee gave him trouble for some time he became a very good jump shooter and threepoint shooter. In order to lengthen your career you have to adapt your game over time. And AI has never been able to do that.
And what I also don’t get is why people cannot accept that AI did wrong the last couple of months/ years. YES, he used to be one of the best players in the league who has been able to bring a mediocre team to the finals, but that was years ago… the last couple of years his resume looks pretty terrible… deal with it and if you don’t learn to accept other people’s oppinions my friend (TripleDouble again) you will have a hard time just like AI is having right now…
just my two cents though
As I said, love him or hate him, respect that he had the skills, respect that he was always honest, and respect that -even if it was his own way- he tried to win.
And for chrissakes, Tavoris, 360, don’t turn this into an argument/debate. Just let the haters say what they want and let it rest. Christ.
2)@360vue…..:are aware how “genious” you are…??? E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y knows that i am also FOTSIS/PAPALOUKAS/ZISIS/VASILOPOULOS etc. for the f……n simple reason that I HAVE R-E-P-E-A-T-E-D-L-Y STATED SO…(man, i read Hursty,TADone,Jukai,Betcats,etc and i am saying that it cannot get lower and then all of a sudden…..!!!!)
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