CRU THIK? Or just “thick” in general?
Allen Iverson is officially a Philadelphia 76er... Again.
The Sixers announced today that the 13 year veteran will once again take the court at the Spectrum.. err, I mean the Wachovia Center. Sorry, I'm just feeling really retro today for some reason.
It doesn't feel that long ago that Allen Iverson was carving up the Lakers in Game One of the NBA Finals, or winning that first round Playoff series against the Hornets deadly quartet of Jamal Mashburn, Kenny Anderson, Stacey Augmon and Elden Campbell.
Oh dear! *sigh*
The last time Allen Iverson actually won a Playoff series was 2003. This makes me feel a little jaded that AI has returned if I'm a Sixers fan. Basically all that's happened is Iverson has had a disagreement with my franchise, taken his declining game and hungry wallet to 3 other cities over the past 3 years to get paid. He has disrupted or destroyed every team he's been a part of in that time and shown nothing that suggests he won't do it again if he gets benched at any point.
The last time AI won a Playoff series was the same time this guy was considered a better option than Dwyane Wade, Carmello Anthony and Chris Bosh amongst others. Ouch.
His journey away from "home" has not been an enjoyable one and he has now walked back into Philly looking for some cheap retro- love and some band-aids. I see the current Philadelphia 76ers situation much like this:
You and your high school buddy both have normal everyday jobs. You always catch up at your local bar for a drink on Thursday nights. Just two guys that are having a good time, no frills, always having fun. However, one day you and your buddy get into an argument because you say it's his turn to get drinks. He won't budge and punches are thrown. A few days go by and you then learn that your buddy has won the lottery! Instead of patching things up and coming to see you, he bolts for the high-life and forgets you entirely. No postcard or celebration... you have been left behind. In fact, as he leaves he gives everyone in the bar the one-fingered salute and walks out in his three-piece suit to his newly purchased Ferrari. Months or years later, after all of the money dries up, he walks back in to that same bar, with nothing but a $20 bill in his pocket and the shame associated with his "journey". He sits down in his old spot and attempts to strike up a conversation with you and your new friends like nothing happened. Everyone moves seats and re-locates to another table.
Right?
Not if you're the the Philadelphia 76ers. They've metaphorically sat down next to their deserting high school buddy and told him how important he is, how special he is and how he can be an integral part of their group going forward. This is one of the strangest things I've seen, due mainly to how the Philadelphia/Allen Iverson marriage ended in late in 2006.
I believe the only way AI can truly be of any benefit in Philadelphia is to adopt a "mentor" attitude. He needs to lift these under-performing yet high potential Sixers to the Playoffs. He needs to mentor Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams and give them the edge to take them to the next level. He needs to inspire Samuel Dalembert and Elton Brand to greatness. He needs to realise that this is a different AI's team now. He needs to understand that Eddie Jordan is the boss and that the Princeton offense is now Allen Iverson's job.
He did it in 2001 with a lineup that's no too different to the one he has now. Iverson's skills may have diminished but I doubt his heart has. The main difference from the 2001 lineup is age. Not only for Allen but for the squad itself. This team is a lot younger and it'll be up to Allen Iverson to be the veteran leader and allow the young pups to steal the show.
I think anyone who believes he will do any of these things is deluded and probably still has Mashburn, Augmon and Elden Campbell posters on their walls. Like Rocky Balboa, Allen Iverson is back in the spotlight in Philadelphia with something to prove. Only he can genuinely stamp a legacy in Philadelphia that will live on in a positive light.
Saddle up people of Philly! The NBA's version of the Italian Stallion is back in the City of Brotherly Love.
*cue the music*
Philly fans, do you really want this?
Why on earth would the 76ers be looking to bring back a decrepit Allen Iverson? Not only is he no longer capable of carrying a team (at his best he was an inefficient scorer, now he's brutal) but why retard the growth of promising rookie PG Jrue Holiday to bring in a relic of the past?
The two stated goals in an Iverson signing are:
- Win
- Sell tickets
I'm not sure Iverson helps address either of those.
Winning? Denver became markedly better with him gone and the Pistons were certainly more settled without him around. He didn't exactly help Memphis either.
Tickets? Philly fans and residents, are you going to flock to 76ers games to gawk at an aging ball hog who can't help your team? At least at the moment you can take pleasure from the significant building blocks of Marreese Speights and Jrue Holiday and the unique Andre Iguodala. With Iverson back all of that goes in the can.
This is the home repair equivalent of the Sixers signing Allen Iverson
The only possible positive that can come from this situation is that Iverson shows himself to have a tiny amount left in the tank and then Philly can sign and trade him in the offseason to a contender for a small amount. In short, use Iverson to gain a 2-3M trade chip during the offseason free agent bonanza that is expected.
Other than that, this will be a nightmare season.
Please give so he may be a douche
Well the Iverson in Memphis debacle is finally at an end. I don't think anyone thought it would work, but I also don't think anyone thought it would be over after ~40 mins of game time either.
What is next for the enigmatic Allen Iverson? Here at 2SOTH we are starting up a fighting fund for poor Allen to help pay his bills.
Please give so Iverson doesn't have to ruin a deperate quasi-contenders chances.
More Questions than Answers…
Flashback to June 6th, 2001...
Allen Iverson is THE MAN.
Iverson has recently been named the 2001 NBA Most Valuable Player. The Philadelphia 76ers have just shocked the Basketball world by beating the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the NBA Finals... In LA and in Overtime! Iverson has just been named to the All-NBA First Team for the second time, has led the League in scoring AND steals.
The NBA is his oyster.
Since that day we have seen Allen Iverson's teams go for a combined 313-345 record... and a .475 winning percentage. Now I know there has been injuries to go along with the numerous examples of a "can't be bothered" attitude that is sometimes displayed. But facts are facts, the product is the product. If the Memphis Grizzlies are about to sign the guy who has a shiny high-chair reserved for him in the Hall of Fame.. then they need to know what they're getting.
Now let's look at the Memphis Grizzlies...
Obviously on June 6th 2001, this franchise was in off-season mode. Strangely enough, the entire franchise was also packing its collective bags for Memphis. The Grizzlies had left the city of Vancouver behind... along with the haunting memories of Blue Edwards, Bryant Reeves, Alvin Robertson and some uniforms that made Dikembe Mutombo's only signature shoe look stylish.
Since that day of "rejuvenation", the Memphis Grizzlies have experienced the following:
- A combined 263-393 record. (.400 %)
- Six coaching changes
- Two uniform changes
- Five lottery selections
- 70 registered players
- 3 Playoff appearances (all first round exits)
So what will the possible marriage between Allen Iverson bring that is not completely predictable?
We have a former superstar who is on the final years of a large decline, and we have a perennially retarded franchise that has more direction changes than a broken GPS system. It figures to be another season of folly as this Memphis team not only harbors young new talent, but also has to find a way to convince players in their final year of contract that another 35 win season is "building towards something".
If I'm Rudy Gay or OJ Mayo.. I'm getting my agent on deck NOW... working the phones and trying to find me a new home as soon as possible.
And as for Mr. Iverson, well it doesn't appear that there's much else out there for him.
Memphis are still looking for a King for their Graceland... but unfortunately it looks as though the most exciting thing they're getting is Mrs. Iverson in a Grizzlies jersey. For now.
Welcome back!
Well it's about time...
Safe to say we've been away for a while and a lot has happened in the NBA. (More posts to follow, this is just a taste)
Firstly, Ron Artest is a Laker... Ariza is a Rocket... AI might be a Grizzly... 'Sheed is a Celtic... Shaq is a Cavalier... RJ is a Spur... VC is a Magician... Turk is a Raptor... Andre Miller is a Blazer... The Matrix is a Maverick... and finally Emeka Okafor is a Hornet. The competition this season will be electrifying with the likes of San Antonio, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland, Boston, Orlando and the Clippers all looking to make a run at the trophy.
Sorry Clippers fans, that was cruel. But if you think the franchise has turned around just because you drafted Mr Potato Head Griffin, then it's going to continue to be a sad state of affairs for you. I personally think you can look at some teams and just KNOW that nothing is going to be won for the next 10years... except maybe the lottery. I put the following teams in that category:
Los Angeles Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Milwaukee Bucks
Charlotte Bobcats
Indiana Pacers
Washington Wizards
Sacramento Kings
Orlando Magic
Minnesota Timberwolves
Phoenix Suns
That's my list, and I'm sticking to it. Call me in 10 years and I guarantee there will not be an NBA Champion among these franchises.
Bring on the new season!!
On the Move…
Well, moving sucks...
Whether it's my move into a new apartment, or a few NBA players' respective moves this off season. Some things work great, while others are just plain gut wrenching.
I'm going to list some good and bad experiences from my recent move, and we'll equate them to some NBA movement.
1) The Truck: Any time you move, you need reliable truck. One that doesn't slip gears, an automatic if possible and well, ropes and padding for support are key. When you're well prepared and you execute properly, it's a fun ride. If you don't secure your load and drive like a maniac, things are horrible and expensive. My move was very smooth and nothing got broken. Not everyone can say that...
Which brings me to Cleveland and Shaquille O'Neal.
The exact same metaphor can be used for this signing. If Shaq's looked after, uninjured and the supporting cast work well with him, the Cavaliers could move to a White House visit next June. Failing this, I see a lot of smashed glass and expensive insurance claims.
2) The Real Estate Agents: We all love to hate them but they do, in most cases iron out the details and ensure a smooth and easy transition to life in a new home. With a good Agent, you can make sure all maintenance is taken care of quickly and with minimal delay. A bad agent offers little feedback, leaves your tap leaking and your window locks non-existent. One of our garage remotes doesn't work, our oven is useless and the condition report was full of more lies than a Florida ballot box.
Which brings me to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Ricky Rubio.
It's safe to assume that Wolves fans are still feeling a little confused when it comes to their franchise's basic mission statement. Drafting two stellar Point Guard prospects doesn't really fill your general fan with much confidence going forward. David Kahn seems to have a plan, but that plan seems to have too any "back up" options at this stage and no clear goal. To keep answering questions with more questions or just trying to shift the focus to anyone else in the equation is average. Every time Kahn is asked about anything to do with Rubio he just states that everything hinges on the movements of the Agents, the Rubio family, DKV Joventut or Dan Fegan. If I was a Wolves fan, I'd be screaming!
3) The Rent: No one wants to pay rent. But in some cases we have to. You want to negotiate a good price and no one ever wants to feel like they're overpaying. For where we're situated regarding work, freeways, shops etc... We're satisfied.
Which brings me to Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd.
Some people just have too much money. For Dallas to sign these two to the contracts chosen is just a shining example to me that Mark Cuban needs a holiday or a shrink... Or both. Kidd, (3yrs at more than $25m) has been decaying quicker than Derek Fisher over the past 2 years and Marion, (5yrs at close to $40m) hasn't looked like anything since he lived in Arizona. The pair might work great in the open floor and I might have egg on my face, but I think Cuban backed the rental truck into his new house on this one.
And finally...
4) The Friends: With any move, you need good helpers to get the job done. Some good help can be hard to find, but not in my case. My good friend Ryz and my flatmate John were a great help and while their manual labour was appreciated, it was the commeraderie and beer drinking that sealed the deal. Good friends stick together and knowing you can always count on them is the best part.
Which brings me to Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.
Wade wants to win, and I could end the paragraph there really. Miami wants to secure him long term. The trouble is, how can Wade commit himself to a team for 6 years and 3 Playoff appearances? That's all they might get if they ink Allen Iverson to a stupid deal or perhaps lose a couple of players to the free agent market. I'm with Dwyane on this one. You need to know that your franchise has your back. Make the moves that will boost Miami to the place the Lakers were three years ago. Make a splash and send a definitive message to the League, the fans and most importantly the best player ever to wear your colours that you're committed to challenging for the trophy. If not, then the Chicago native may take "Wade's World" to the Windy City to start a new revolution at the United Center. It's been just long enough in my opinion, Chicago is ready for a new Heir Apparent.
All in all a successful move for me. Time will tell as to which NBA teams can say the same.