Bubba Chuck returns to where it all began.
Allen is home. Allen is home. Allen is home.
I could copy and paste that 8000 times in this post because that’s about all my mind is thinking right now. I’m so happy. Thrilled. Over the moon. We can’t script reality because sometimes it’s too perfect. Envisioning an Iverson back to Philly “second chance” seemed foolish only a few months ago. Hell, even a few weeks ago.
But there he is. Smiling. Holding up what is perhaps the loveliest jersey I’ve ever seen. I loved the Sixers new uniforms this season. With a #3 and an IVERSON on the back, I loved them even more. This feels right. Even if it feels a little overwhelming and strange and almost scary. Scary because, if it doesn’t work in Philly, we know it isn’t going to work anywhere else. Strange because Iverson will go from being “retired” to starting (at least, I hope for his sake). Overwhelming because we will get to hear those Sixers fans scream their hearts out for Iverson once again.
I want this to work out for him more than anything I can recall in recent memory. It just feels right. Deserved He gave that franchise his heart for so many years. After putting them on his back, they had a chance to give him a hand, a shot and a second chance. And they did.
The tears in his eyes, crackle in his always raspy voice, nervous smile as he tried to get a hold of his emotions, that is why Allen Iverson means what he does to me. He is real, raw, pure emotion. He is true to what he feels inside. It’s the only way he knows how to be. It’s the only way I ever want to be.
To the Philadelphia 76ers franchise, thank you.
Thank you for taking a chance on someone that you believe in. I believe in him, too.
Okay. I’ve got so much more to say/think/express about Iverson, but I can’t get my thoughts straight right now. Going from trying to accept that he was gone to having him back in Philadelphia has been a whirlwind. I’m sure you can relate.
Beyond that, DeJuan Blair had me singing #rookielove all evening. 18 points on 9-11 field goals, 11 rebounds (five offensive) in 21 minutes of play off of the bench. He was spectacular. He was everywhere. Hopping all over the place, making moves against KG, going up against Perkins battling for boards. He was aggressive, focused and absolutely jacked up at the end of the game as he led the Spurs back. San Antonio ended up losing the game to the Celtics, 90-83, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort on Blair’s part.
The Spurs were out of sync all night. Sloppy from the jump. They lost despite outrebounding Boston 55-32, including 20-2 on the offensive glass. How does that happen? By shooting just 7-for-17 from the free throw line and by turning the ball over 19 times.
Rajon Rondo is a hell of a point guard. Can people stop hating on him? Or, let me clarify that: Can people stop hating on his game? You don’t have to like him, but saying he sucks only makes you look ignorant. He’s a baller. Also, KG getting up to grab lob passes made me happy last night.
The Denver/Miami game was almost over before it started with the Nuggets leading by 16 at the half and rolling to the 114-96 win from there. Facing the Lakers tonight, things don’t get any easier for this Heat team on this West Coast swing. Did you all see the new hairstyle JR Smith is rocking? I personally enjoyed his six assists off of the bench to go with 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting. Dwyane Wade had 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Heat in the loss.
The Houston/Golden State game ended up being a close one down the stretch. After trailing by 10 in the fourth, the Rockets continued to play their team game and came roaring back while Monta Ellis and the Warriors had some heartbreaking turnovers late as Houston escaped with the 111-109 victory. With the game going back and forth, Aaron Brooks nailed two free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining and then Ellis was called for a travel on the in bounds catch and the Warriors didn’t get a chance to win it.
How’s this for a wacky line? Monta Ellis scored 24 points to go with six rebounds, eight assists, nine turnovers. He shot just 9-for-27 from the floor and had seven blocks against him. He played 47:28 minutes after missing the morning shootaround because he felt under the weather. Brooks led the way for Houston with 25 points, none bigger than his final two free throws.
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And these are just people from SLAM! I know so many dudes obsessed with AI in real life, that just don’t live in reality. I don’t get it.
People shouldn’t be watching AI cry at the Phili press conference and say “that’s a warrior, right there. He really cares about the game”
He faked a back injury to not play for Detroit than ran away from Memphis after three games! How is that “love of the game?”
A fantastic talent, but a spade is a spade!
I don’t like “fanboys” period.
Kobe fanboys.
Bron fanboys.
Iverson fanboys.
Nash fanboys.
Dirk fanboys.
All fanboys. But, I dislike media fanboys the most.
Lock-down defense, more steals than Iverson (the only thing Iverson ever did well on the defensive end), smarter rebounding, SUPERIOR passing, much better leadership, a warrior like work ethic and a great locker room presence.
To me, it really is a crazy argument. To me, it’s really not close. Maybe I’m being a Stockton fanboy, I don’t know, but it seems insane when a smart dude like Bryan says he’d rather have AI on his team. I’d pick Stockton and my team would have a far greater amount of success.
On a team where I need scoring from the guard spot, I’d pick Iverson.
Stockton had the better career, and maximized his talents. Talent-wise, Iverson was superior, but that doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme.
Iverson was often expected to do things that weren’t exactly comfortable or easy for him to do on the court. Basically, run the team like a pass-first point guard.
Was Stockton ever required to leave his comfort zone as a player? In fact, given the fact that Stockton went through some lean years in Utah, is their any indication that Stockton could have taken over games like say an Isiah Thomas?
Which, by the way, is the far more interesting debate in my opinion?
Don’t you get tired of that?
You are a grown man, at least according to your posts here.
What type of grown man behaves in that manner? You can try to justify it by going on one of your rants about the “kids” but that’s crap. Act like an adult. Adults don’t just spout random jibberish designed to derail conversations. That’s childlike behavior.
Damn, I try to let it slide, but come one. Act like an adult.
@Allenp………:1)i am not an adult 2)i am doing this to get close to the mental age of my favorite “Anna”, to make it feel more comfortable .
I think Isiah is far superior to Iverson and Stockton.
But, don’t pretend that Thomas versus Stockton isn’t a long running debate that Isiah finds himself losing far too often.
Isiah was what Stockton and Iverson could never be. A stone-cold scorer who could also run your team to perfection.
Isiah Thomas has become criminally underrated due to some of his crappy decisions with the Knicks. This dude’s legacy is not being respected.
Assists are to being a great passer what steals are to being a great defender.
But, dude isn’t as bad a chucker as people like to pretend. He’s bad, but not that bad.
Iverson got his highest assist totals while playing a lot of his time at the point. When he played the two guard, he typically averaged about 4-5 assists.
Myles
How many shots did he take in Denver? How many shots was he taking when he was shooting 42-43 percent?
Who else should have been shooting besides Iverson?
San Antonio is so done, it’s not even funny. Struggling to score 65 after 3 quarters for the last 2 seasons. Ship has sailed.
I think Iverson passes when his teammates are talented. I don’t think he’s a good point guard, but I don’t think he’s an unrepentant chucker like Myles thinks.
TAD
Joe Dumars is in the HOF. He’s rated perfectly if you ask me.
I always had doubts when the Spurs got Jefferson. I didn’t think he did the same things well that Bowen did, and the things he did well didn’t seem like they would fit. But, then I allowed myself to be convinced they could pull it together.
They still have time, but it’s not looking good.
In our group we have: Argentina, Corea, Nigeria and Greece. In my opinion you really have chances cause England(the big name of your group) always seem to fail, while Slovenians are a young up & down team and Algeria ain’t something special. We have a more difficult mission(Argentina has the best player in the world for example in Messi, Corea is always playing good and fast) but you never know….
See you in South Africa!!!!!!
With the 1st pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select…
No doubt he faked injury in Det, but consider this. AI replaced the undoubted leader and most amicable guy in that Pistons team; Chauncey Billups. Not one of the dressing room, including the coach, wanted him there; even more so when you consider who he replaced. It was solely Dumars who wanted him there, and maybe a few fans who wanted to see AI but they didn’t consider the tactical impact; AI contrasted completely and utterly with what made Pistons a force for most of this decade; lots of hustle, suffocating D, and a strong emphasis on team play, on both D and O. Ultimately, Rip handed a ‘me or him’ ultimatum to coach when both had been benched and we all know what happened then. And AI has DEVOUTLY stated for numerous years, it is start or quit. He was benched, permanently, for the season. No trade possible. So they came to an agreement that BENEFITTED all sides; AI didn’t suffer what he saw as a humiliation and Pistons got some of their mojo and chemistry back. As for the Memphis debacle, dude shouldn’t of even been at such a pathetic franchise. That is the bottom line, and there is no doubt he should of stuck around and fought for his place, but as he has always said, it’s starting or nothing. Personally, adhering to your own principles so strongly deserves credit. Most people would have pussied out, done what others wanted to do while they didn’t like it. In life, you go through situations you don’t want because of particular reasons but the fact of the matter is AI owed absolutely jacksh!t to the Grizz; it was another case of GM forcing a move no-one below him was keen on.
Putting Ariza on Monta Ellis on defense was very smart–you could tell that his length and athleticism really bothered Monta.
That Rockets/Warriors game was the best game last night. It was fun to watch Adelman and Nellie compete to see who could fit in the smallest line-up. When Yao/Mac get back, the Rockets can switch it up between Yao-ball and small-ball.
The thing I like about the Rockets’ right now is that their defense is still as solid as ever, even with Carl Landry playing CENTER.
LET`S GO ROCKETS!
@everybody….:i want your preseason take. even if nobody can prove it , i will trust all of you telling the truth and go on from there….
However, Cavs repeat as chemistry champs, and White Chocolate wins the MVP.
I’m out like Tiger Woods’ voicemails.
Lakers 40%, Celtics 20%, Spurs 20%, Magic 10%, Cleveland 4.9999999999999%, Houston 5% (Gotta put my favorite team), Dallas + Atlanta 0.0000000000000000001%.
But, I did figure the Lakers and Celts were going to meet again in the Finals. Whether the Celtics can win depends a lot on K.G.’s knee, and Bynum’s health. But, I like the Lakers to beat the Celtic with the addition of Artest.
The Spurs do not have a chance simply because they aren’t a healthy team. They have not proved they can get through a stretch of time where they are all 100% and I doubt it will be better after 82 games.
Also: Isiah > Stockton > Iverson.
Why did Isiah get thrown in there? To belittle the difference between Stock and Iverson? I’m confused how his name even got up. Isiah is a top-15 level player. He’s unreal.
Iverson > Stockton for me, but they are completely different.
And the AI and STOCK debate isn’t clear cut. Not only are they completely different players, but their teams were completely different. That Mailman fella is kinda nice to have on your team, no?
As far as picking a franchise guy, Allenp got it right when he said for most teams, you’d go with Stock. Just a much easier fit. But when you don’t have another guy who can put up 20ppg, I’d go with Iverson. Stockton cannot get you buckets.
I’m also curious… has Myles always hated Iverson this much? It seems like in every AI post I read, Myles Brown loads up and fires like it’s his life’s calling. That’s cool, everyone’s got a biased opinion, even writers. I’m just curious if you were like this when you guys were printing out Iverson covers every other month? When you covered his Finals run, did you mention how overrated it was? Was there a “BUBBA CHUCK CHUCKS WAY TOO DAMN MUCH” cover that I missed? Or did you write about how inspirational and how dominant the little guy was because back then, people loved him and couldn’t get enough? Just curious because for me, I can’t pull that fake facade ish without feeling a little queasy.
@Sporting-Lisbon-Blazers……: you are a brave man.Thanks.
“Jukai, the 2000 Bucks (with Allen, Cassell, Robinson, Danny Manning, Tim Thomas, and Dale Ellis) were LESS talented than the Sixers?”…..no wonder whenever they have a “debate” it is an instant (unintentional)comedy classic….
I have come to the following posibilities:
a)both kids are below 13 years old.5%
b)they are posting drunk or something similar.7%
c)both have the mental talent of Nicola Tesla (on the opposite side of the bell curve…)58%
d)both are the same guy lonely guy that just writes hilarious things to get attention.10%
e)none of them exists, it is some SLAM guys righting crazy things for all of us to keep posting. 20%
I’d also like to see Tavoris respond to this one…
tealish…….: you don’t need to “follow” something….if reading 3 lines means “following” then my english are indeed in big trouble….
@tavoris(Jukai)……:now you ALSO can make fun of your “alter ego” since a)he is changing affirmations on a game he never saw(now it is Spanoulis, then it is pick & roll,then again it is Power game) b) he is commenting and analyzing for 20 posts the impact of the “lack” of a BASIC RULE that OF COURSE exists. Next time he is going to write that there is no 24 second time limit in the FIBA game , that is why we have lower scores!!!!!
Again, I was just curious on how you wrote/approached AI back then. That’s all. But if you were in high school…. cool, lol.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_of_basketball (“it was the deffensive players you full!!” yeap,that’s my kids… )
You can take your ridiculous lists, crumple them up, and use them to wipe Darko’s jizz off your chin.
I didn’t see it on the wiki article, so if you could explain it to me, I’d actually appreciate that.
Oh, and you still lost the Greek national team debate.
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