Since when has Iverson ever been a team leader? He's been with the 76ers for a long time now, and to think that he's ever going to change his habits at this point is naive. Fines and petty Larry Brown temper tantrums are not going to change him, and the Sixers management knows this. He is who he is. Fact is, Allen Iverson is a tremendous talent. He is an MVP. He singlehandedly led the Sixers to the NBA Finals. Sure he has some problems, but that's a byproduct of the environment in which he was raised. He's not going to change. If 76er management can't work with him by now, then they need to make a simple decision: either trade him and be done with it or shut the hell up and just accept him and work around him without all the complaining.
I understand accountability, but you guys have to understand that this guy is always hurting. He busts ass harder than anyone and no one can say that he's out of shape just thin. They need to lay off that is like telling all of those leimens on their team "play like AI or I will make you a P.R. disaster". Come on now he is their team sure he doesn't rebound but he leads them in scoring and steals and when he needs to he even passes. Give him some slack. I would also still never trader anyone for Stevie.
fadeaway, Idisagree about AI "single-handedly" leading the Sixers to the finals. AI and a great defensive team took them to the finals. Motumbo was just as inportant as Ivy, IMO.
Pfffffffffffffffttt... Take away Mutombo and the Sixers still have a fighting chance. Take away Iverson and they have no chance in hell. When was the last time Dikembe has singlehandedly taken over a game and willed his team to victory? I'll give you a hint -- there was a picture of a bird on his jersey.
Iverson needs to grow up and come to practice, yea he is good, but it doesnt help him if he doesnt go to practice.
Well I believe the Sixers did almost beat the Bucks in a game without Iverson, so I'm not sure about that "no chance in hell" comment...
It's been 10 years since Allen Iverson gave us this classic rant about practice. http://youtu.be/k9sjDhcMtAg
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Seems like yesterday I was watching it on CNNSI. Their repetitive programming played it enough to account for every time he said practice, and it never got old.
I'll always maintain that this all started because Larry Brown scapegoated Iverson after their loss in the playoffs. He made a bunch of roster changes that were so full of fail that he had to distract everyone with Iverson's practice habits. Brown basically betrayed Iverson and Iverson had this meltdown in response. I'm glad Brown's coaching some obscure college now and will never get back into the NBA, but it's too bad that part of the reason why Iverson has to do the same is public perception based on this Brown manipulation.
