Is Iverson running out of answers?
Allen Iverson’s season is over, according to the Detroit Pistons.
What about his career?
Iverson, who will be 34 next season, has an achy back and a psyche that is just as sore, but it would be unwise and premature to label him finished. Still, this season his game declined and that was even before his back began giving out.
Iverson should be in the NBA next season, but he has accumulated plenty of mileage during 13 NBA seasons.
Many felt that with the hell-bent fury that Iverson displayed on the court, that once he began to slow down ever so slightly, it would be the signal of a steep decline.
He can still beat players off the dribble, but not as frequently as earlier in his career. Even at his best he was never a great outside shooter. And his critics have long suggested that he doesn’t make his teammates better.
Iverson’s supporters will point out to his MVP season in 2000-2001 when he was named the league MVP and led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA final. That was an overachieving defensive-minded 76ers team that lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. That season Iverson was at his best, but it was also eight years ago. Since then, Iverson has been part of just one winning playoff series, and that came in the first round in the 2002-2003 season.
Pistons president Joe Dumars has long earned the reputation as one of the top executives in the NBA, but brining Iverson on board and unloading Chauncey Billups won’t rank much higher than the decision to select Darko Milicic with the second overall selection in the 2003 NBA draft.
One wonders what shape the Pistons would be in today had they selected one of the three players taken immediately after Milicic – Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. And one can also wonder where Detroit would be had Billups stayed.
Dumars can still make good on the Iverson deal by using the cap room that the Pistons will receive when his salary of nearly $22 million comes off the books after this season.
Yet the trade certainly didn’t work this season and there is no guarantee that the added dollars can once again buy an Eastern Conference contender.
A Pistons team that has been to the Eastern Conference finals six consecutive years is still struggling to be a playoff participant. And while it’s too simplistic to put all the blame on Iverson, he certainly hasn’t done his part to make the Pistons a better team.
Iverson has always been lauded for playing as hard as any player in the league. There is a distinction however between playing hard and playing well. At this point of his career, he is a liability on defense. Iverson continues to need to dominate the ball and thus his teammates, especially in Detroit, were often left standing around. He also didn’t make a favorable impression after complaining about coming off the bench
If Iverson couldn’t fall into line in a team-first unit like the Pistons, could he do it for another NBA team?
He still has enough skill to be able to give a team an offensive lift, but the days of being a 40-minute-a-night player for a serious playoff contender appear to be over. That said, he should still have job options.
First and foremost, Iverson is still a drawing card and one of the NBA’s true fan favorites. His popularity was demonstrated when the fans voted him to the NBA All-Star team against this season.
So a team looking for a gate attraction, especially next season when the NBA is expected to be hurting for ticket sales due to the sagging economy, could take a flyer on Iverson.
Iverson likely has to accept a lot less money and a lesser role with any team he joins, unless he wants to go to a truly awful franchise and then he will be able to score at will.
It doesn’t seem conceivable that he will return to Detroit and it’s hard at this point to come up with any major contender reaching out to Iverson.
His back will eventually heal, but he has some work to do in convincing others that his game remains healthy. Iverson will have to prove that he is a team-first player who can make any franchise appreciably better.
At this point that looks like a difficult sell.
vick Said,
April 4, 2009 @ 7:53 pm
While I agree with you that Iverson’s best days are behind him, I don’t think he’s on the steep decline that he’s made out to be on. The guy averaged 26 and 7 last season. He has shown that in the right system he can be very effective. He and ‘Melo both complemented each other, look at how Carmelo’s scoring average has fallen off since Iverson left. AI didn’t fit in because of a few reasons. 1. The Pistons never embraced his arrival or tried to help him fit in because they were sulking over the loss of Billups. 2. Iverson was never used at the point where he draws so much attention, that responsibility was given to Prince and Stuckey. 3. If they allowed AI to run a play or two (rare) it was for him to pound the ball while Rip comes off screens. 4. Michael Curry never was able to call decent plays that would accomodate both Rip and AI. While AI has had a terrible season, I think it’s premature and outlandish to say his game is on the decline. He is capable of playing 35 minutes and putting up 22-25 ppg. Whether he gets that chance remains to be seen.
For those interested, I talk about this Iverson situation at length on my blog at http://www.upcourt.com/?p=89 Any feedback would be appreciated, I am curious to know what others think.
CLravioli Said,
April 4, 2009 @ 10:08 pm
Iverson is a thug. I can’t stand the guy.
Yelito Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 1:10 am
AI should go to a team like Charlotte or Sacramento where he can still be the man and built around him. The problem is, he is not a top shooting guard anymore.
Sean Deeeeeeeezzzeeeeeee Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 1:20 am
First of all, AI is a first ballot hall of famer and one of the most entertaining players ever to grace the best league in sports. That said, Iverson has clearly declined in his game, not so much in penetrating where every game I’ve seen this year he’s been fine at, but more on finishing and drawing contact. He used to make circus shots daily, now he attempts the same number but hits less.
He will get a little higher then the mid-level exception from teams like thr Raptors and Charlotte, but it would be about 7 mil for 2 yrs.
The team I see him joining at the mid-level rate is D’Antoni’s Knick squad that could really use a primary scorer, even if he’s slightly inefficient. Think about how happy Iverson would be running up and down the court in a 7-seconds-or-less offense, HE WOULD BE IN OVER THE HILL VETEREN HEAVEN.
Those 76er teams in the early millenia were very rare, 4 defensive players and one dynamite scorer is hard to successfully do and even rarely attempted.
PG-Eric Snow or Aaron McKie
SG-A.I.
SF-George Lynch
PF-Tyrone Hill
C-Dikembe Mutombo, or Matt Geiger
This is a horrible paper team, but it worked because AI would use every shot to his benefit and the other players would man up on D.
Allen Iverson will never be considered the great player that he is capable of being on sheer talent since I do believ he doesn’t make his teammates that much better (except these early 2000 teams which I think he clearly made them way better than they actually were, and Larry Brown’s best coaching of his career to that point, I think)
When considering AI as a player for your team, just make sure you understand what your attempting because he is a defensive liability and a shoot first first player, but if you need scoring and moxie, give em a shot
Raj Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 1:26 am
Iversion is a total BUST !! Unfortunately, basketball is a team sport and can be never excelled with individual selfishness. It takes 5 players and good bench to get to championship and never can be done with individual talent or being selfish. Iversion can draw crowds to a game but can never win championship being selfish. He should learn by now with his experience. If he really LOVE basketball he will help the team by coming off the bench and also he is too old be a starter and also lost a step at his age.
javaman Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 9:57 am
Come to the LAKERS. With you and Kobe on the same team, anything can happen! What a novelty to have Allen on the same FIVE with the Black Mamba! It’s like having MJ and well…? Let’s not forget, he was the GRAND DADDY of them all. 7 for 27 FG games was unheard of before he showed up in the NBA.
Jay Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 10:16 am
I would like to see Iverson on the Knicks or Suns. I think he would work on a team that plays poor defense but attacks the defense relentlessly. Although, I don’t think either team wants to a commit a lot of money to an aging and ailing Iverson.
I wonder what his legacy would be like if he had won that championship against the Lakers.
Also, we’ve never seen Iverson play with a great PG outside of the Olympics or All-Star game where he played more unselfishly. Would he create a rift with a good PG or would a good PG allow AI to be productive without letting him isolate the rest of the team offensively?
Bron42 Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 10:47 am
can someone explain to me how come all the iverson haters didn’t complain when rip hamilton was sour grapes about coming off the bench? He almost said the same thing as iverson but no one said anything him being selfish or his ego.
Also, the pistons were done before AI came, which is why they made the trade anyway. The team had been constantly fizzling out. So you can’t really put the blame on his shoulders alone. Their bench players never developed and their starters looked overrated and didn’t seem to care. Prince will never be more than a lanky defender. Sheed spaces out. Maxiell is a athlete but people expected him to be ben wallace at this point. Rip is just a spot up shooter now. Amir johnson is STILL a high school level kid. All these things play a part and iverson doesn’t control any of them.
I say he goes to a team like charlotte. So him, brown and MJ can try to make something work. If he can’t get along with those 2, then maybe he is done. But the bobcats have defensive hardworking guys around him. They need a guy who can draw fans and hit the game winners since diaw,felton and bell AREN’T that guy. AI wasn’t drafted based on character, but trying to make him sound like marbury and killing teams is just unheard of. The guy works hard every day and while hes never been on a team in real position to win since he left the 76ers (no one thought the nuggets would win, think KG pre celtics) the guy still earned his respect.
yhello Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
I can see him taking a year off, getting his mind right thinking about and feeling if his body is still up to the task and then join a team with a lot of seasoned vets with a good chance at a championship. because no team is fit for his type of game. teams would love a guy with his skills but not his on court attitude of I’m the best scorer here so I should take the shots
NomoreANSWER Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
AI is pathetic, in his stage of his career and no ring on his resume. All that is noticable on his resume is him being the selfish player he is, also a thug in real life too. I would NOT want my kids knowing anything about AI. Just not a good role model. Let him complain about his skills, so that he ends up on a bottom feeder team to play out the rest of his “starter” days, which has pass his prime. But his attitude is like a selfish little kid….
Sean Deezee Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
I agree that there really isn’t a team that could fit his exact style of play and win, but there are always people who want to break the mold and try something new.
only three teams would make sense from all perspectives
financial, style of play, Iverson wanting the ball, and possibly winning
those are——
1.Knicks-need a true 1 scorer and would average upwards of 28ppg in that offense, as well as getting tons of assists from all the other perimeter shooters
2.Bobcats-They need a big name, a SG, a great scorer, and dare I say VETEREN LEADERSHIP!?!?!??!?! yes he might like it near his homeland of Virginia and the ability to be the number 1 guy again
3.Raptors-The inside out game of Bosh-Iverson would be extremely successful in the pitiful eastern conference. Plus they have a top 5 pg in Calderon would distribute well to Iverson or play off ball while Iverson draws double teams since Calderon can now shoot the three. If that team with Marion, Bosh, Calderon, Parker, Barngani and A.I. decided to go 7-seconds-or-less they would be a 50 win team.
The Lakers would not be interested even at the veteren’s minimum because they have a lot of selfish players that already fight for touches (especially Vujacic) and he wouldn’t fit as a starter or nech player. Boston would make a little more sense but Iverson is definitly not ready for that kind of decrease in numbers.
Brian Boitono Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
Iverson’s got no game. I was at a figure skating contest and waiting in my dressing room when iverson came up and met me. Im taller than him in skates!!! anywho…. He was giving me the Ol stink eye and I said, “sucker, you aint won sh*t, you wanna mean mug me i’ll slap your nips right here in front of kerigan and Yamaguchi”. Needless to say Iverson took offense to my agression towards him. So I had no choice but to grab ahold of his Nipples and tit*y twist him as hard as I could. If it was’nt for Tonya harding breaking this up, Iversons nipswould hang down to his feet
Los Detroit Pistons "cortan" a Allen Iverson hasta final de temporada Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 5:36 pm
[...] Imagen | HoopsHype [...]
Los Detroit Pistons "cortan" a Allen Iverson hasta final de temporada : Blogografia Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 6:01 pm
[...] | HoopsHype Publicado en: Deporte 0 [...]
Newsom2 Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 9:18 pm
@ Vick - just because he didn’t start as the PG doesn’t mean that he didn’t play point. The problem is just what was stated in the post. He dominates the ball too much. His passes tend to be passes based on him being caught in the air, etc. I have always been a fan of AI but the reason he didn’t work out for Detroit was obvious. His style, dribble until I can shoot, does not work for a team like Detroit. While the Pistons were not happy with the trade everyone tried to work with AI. Guys like Sheed and Rip gave up shots so that AI could possibly fit in. Everyone knows AI doesn’t really run plays. Agreed that Curry has done an awful job with a decent team. The question is not whether AI can put up 20 but how many shots does he need to do it.
@ CL. That was a quality post. A real contribution to the discussion.
@Yelo. Um, Larry Brown is in Charlotte. As for Sac, are there enough shots for him, Kevin Martin and Cisco.
@Sean, I don’t think AI fits D’Antoni’s system. You have to share the ball. AI dribbling until he shoots or cannot anymore acutally would not work well with the Knicks.
@Java, respectfully, I do not think that real Laker’s fans want AI on their squad unless he is willing to come off of the bench. Maybe he would be willing to do that with Kobe but it does seem unlikely, right?
@Bron, Rip admitted that he did not want to but said that he would do it for the team. After the team lost a series of games it was obvious that Rip on the bench was not answer. By the way, the team responded poorly to AI’s unwillingness to sacrifice for the team.
I like AI, just not on the Pistons.
Casey Gonder Said,
April 5, 2009 @ 10:13 pm
Iverson is one of the greatest little man to play the SG position tha game has EVER seen and also got tha most heart seen since MJ. Yea he need more shots then othas but he still get his and will b perfect in Charlotte due to they lack of scoring. Just cuz he dont fit in a system dont mean he on tha decline or he need ta retire. Cuz if he had came to detroit scoring 25 a game wouldnt nobody b hatin on his game so get outta here wit that. Iverson made tha NBA change rules and he changed how kids look at tha game and cant nobody take that away from dude. He prolly aint gon get no trophy before he hang up his shoes but when he do the game aint gon b tha same without him. If he go to tha bobcats its gon b so many hater turned to fans it aint gon make no sense
Zay Zillionz Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 12:03 am
Allen “The Answer” Iverson….. If you’re reading this blog or any opf you are reading this COME BACK TO PHILLY!!!!! It would be great now that we actually have a team capable of winning 40 game without him…. But look at the upside they get more depth on the roster, more open shots on the floor, more points, they already have defense, and he also will have a chance to win a championship with a young athletic team…. Can u imagine the BUZZ A.I coming back to Philly will have around the sports world who wouldnt talk about it??? Come On A.I the Phillies won the world series we need that NBA Title again….
The Line Up
1.A.I
2.Andre Iguodala
3.Thaddeus Young
4.Elton Brand
5.Samuel Dalembert
not to mention Lou Williams, Reggie Evans, Mareese Speights, and we should also get another 3 point shooter like Kyle Korver and we would be lethal even mopre lethal than the not so unstoppable Boston Celtics…. Mark my words A.I is HEADING HOME…..
Thomas Bilde Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 4:47 am
Seems there is alot of Iverson haters out there - not to jump on the bandwagon but yes he doesnt have the best word on the street right now. Iverson is by far over playing - I think he should think about other options than necessarily the NBA.
1 year off from the NBA would give him some rest from all the haters. He could come back and prove some wrong - hopefully since he is one of greater players of the league - and by that finish off his career on a positive note.
I think he should go to Europe - go compete in the Euroleague against toplevel. Make good money and comeback to the NBA for a final run with a more positive vibe around him.
He is in trouble now because he wants good money and he has not played up to it - so there wont be a whole lot of teams wanting to take a chance on Iverson. Go for one year and come back when all the teams who have saved up money for the 2010 summer doesnt get what the hoped for. Then they will have room, money and maybe desire to give AI a final run….
Thats my ANSWER
John C Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 6:39 am
Vick, the stats you quote about AI are great, but I have to point out something to you. Although Melo’s numbers are down withouth AI his team is much better. This is basketball which is a team game. I never would have thought the Nuggets would be good enough to fight for one of the top 3 seeds in the West. They are doing it with a much more balanced team and a point guard that after playing on a team oriented team is giving them what they needed as a team. AI has no idea how to conform to the team game. He needs to dominate the ball. Stats are not always the best way to gauge especially in this situation. I hope AI catches on with someone, but its hard trying to figure out which team that would be.
Sjay Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 10:48 am
Hey Al,if you are reading this, you don’t need to listen to what everybody is saying. You need to believe in yourself. I know that you can still be a force inside a basketball court. you can still play better than everyone else, you can still score and you can play defense. you can be a team player, and you can take charge when everyone’s not playing well. Don’t do it for the critics, don’t do it for the fans (because we understand), do what you think is right for you and what you deserve. On any team, you can still be the MAN.
Hey, when you reach 50, and you still want to do this, come to the Philippines coz we will cough up any amount of money just to watch you play. Peace to you and to your MOM.
fitnessrunner Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
Pretty good points – Vick – I agree with the alternate teams –Iverson could go,
I may be a slappy – but I disagree your Iverson assessment
His back was injured - The doctors and x-rays showed no damage - His Georgetown doctors couldn’t find anything either - they suggested he shut down completely -
After 2months of non basketball activity - Your instinct as a coach is ease him back into game shape and bench rotation -why would you risk a full 40min after 1 game –Which He was complaining about only 18mins of play time – Iverson
said his back was hurt – Why would I risk further injury
Your blog lack something that is dear to me as a Piston fan and Piston follower - Iverson was great at times and they did have some quality wins - Offense, Offense - everyone keeps pointing this out - that fine. Curry tried everything offensively and every combination (small ball, AI and RIP as guards, Prince as the point-forward, Stuckey with AI)
The key to winning basketball games is defense - Iverson age became a liability on the defensive side - The Piston defense is structured for you to be accountable to your man - man to man defense(They are one of the few teams who do not double team star players)- When your man breaks you down off the dribble- the weak side is your backup-
If you watched some of the(Pistons) games Iverson was getting beat bad - It would get worse when teams figured out, who ever Iverson is guarding -We’re going to post Iverson down low -
Also - Iverson gambled alot on the defensive side of the ball, he had a idea he go for the steal by jumping the passing lane - It would work sometimes - but a lot of times it didn’t - Team mates would hold him accountable -On the Pistons that means your going to get screamed and cussed out by the Vets -who won (championship) rings - by playing defense
Last note - He’s never played on a team full of Vets – I mean maybe 1 or 2 players .
He always played on teams were he was the ONlY Veteran team –– But never on team of players who have won rings.
Accountability –and Sacfrice
When they were considering to bring Iverson off the bench - Dumars should have said before you answer yes or no call these phone numbers and talk too them first - Vinnie Johnson, Mark Acquire, Glenn Big Dog Robinson, Alzonzo Mourning, and Sam Cassell talk to them about winning a championship
T Dot boi Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
Iverson juss needs to go to a championship contendin team like celtics, lakers, cavs etc…..buh dats onli if dey will take him….hes still a good player n he can drop 20 pts ne given night….or he should juss reunite wit his old coach Larry Brown in charlotte…buh he needs 2 grow up n learn 2 accept a bench role…cuz no winin team needs him 2 start
Porky Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
There is an “I” in AI, but not in “team”. What an overrated player, no defense, taking 50 shots a game…hey, I could score 20. He is a loser- no titles. He is also very much washed up. Hang it up, “I”.
D' Nomar Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/151501-dude-wheres-my-iverson
great article i read bout the whole iverson controversy. very in depth
D' Nomar Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/151501-dude-wheres-my-iverson
great article on the whole iverson pistons issue
D' Nomar Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 2:31 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/151501-dude-wheres-my-iverson
great article on the iverson situation
Sean Deezee Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
Hey Zay,
So why don’t we bring back Julius Erving to, and maybe Bobby Jones, how about Darryl Dawkins———-jerkoff!!!!!!!!!!!
Sean Deezeee Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
Hey Sjay,
u wanna suck his dick too?!?!?
Krynn77 Said,
April 6, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
If the Cavs don’t win the title this year, an AI-Lebron experiment would be exciting. A run and gun type offense with a lot of shooters around. If that is AI would offer to go cheap just for a crack at the title….. It’s a far fetched experiment but just exciting to that…. if the Cavs don’t get em’ much desired Bigs like em’ Bosh or similar types. Another AI experiment that would make ya wonder would AI be good for D’Antoni? If any team has cap room and can’t get any quality player maybe it’s worth to give AI a shot for a a year deal just to be competitive and give some young guys a boost….
Zay Zillions Said,
April 7, 2009 @ 12:14 am
Hey dezee, y u pickin on me, I’m just a queer little boy who wants AI back in my town. U suck
HALL OF FAMER Said,
April 8, 2009 @ 11:03 am
Iverson haters are IDIOTS> Just because you dont like a guy for his off the court issues doesnt make him suck..Are we talking about him in the streets or him on the court. And to you guys who says and thinks hes a thug SO WHAT. He shouldnt be your kids role model.. YOU SHOULD BE> But your an idiot and you probably look to entertainers to help raise your kids… I mean You guys act like he is not a 27ppg scorer for a CAREER and a 7-6 assist per game guy for a CAREER. Its obsurd to say that he sucks or that he need to quit.. You cant name too many guys greater.. The effort is always there and he goes hard..And as for the pistons, they were going nowhere fast even with Billups. I mean Joe D needed to shake it up a little.. They were in the conference finals for 6 seasons and werent gonna get any better.They would have been losers again to the eventual champion C’s or Cavs…
Im out
Chucky Said,
April 10, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
As long as anyone lives the thug life, or even pretends to live the thug life, I hope they fail.
Enough with kids looking up to chumps like Iverson.
He has the stats, but thats not good enough for this fans support.
Hope to see him retire soon.
space Said,
April 13, 2009 @ 7:59 am
@ vick & bron42
they are the only people who make sense on here. i agree with everything except not putting confidence in diaw and felton. diaw could be a playoff version of robert horry on the right team. and felton is always underrated because the bobcats haven’t made any noise yet. he scores the same as chris paul and deron williams but he is labelled a combo guard/point? how?
…………..
back to iverson. any injured player is going to get down on himself simply for the fact that he cannot do what he has always done. iverson plays with injuries all season long. he played through several injuries as a piston just because he wanted the new situation to work. on paper, it seemed like a brilliant idea. a scorer and warrior with attitude to a team whose general seemed to be losing his fire. why not? the main problem is that everyone else didn’t readily move forward with that. make the note that several other pistons had subpar seasons, even when iverson was injured. his career numbers, true allstar status, and billups slide made the trade look like a genius move. a few months ago everyone was scared at the possibilities of a defensive minded veteran eastern conference finals team would be like
with the addition of a 20+ points, 7 assist man added to it. it just didn’t fly that way.
the youth movement and trying to push stuckey, maxiell and afflalo was a mistake. giving stuckey more minutes did not mean that he could make a steadfast championship veteran team go the same grace as billups. also, there were too many mismatches with their backcourt. stuckey is not a scorer, or a playmaker…. he is an all-around player. his game is not close to a definition at this stage of his career. stuckey doesn’t fit to lead this regimented veteran team. rip’s non-verbal fussing was just as damaging as having raja bell on the suns hating on shaq. not good. to rip’s credit, you could see that he put in a lot of effort on the court, but watching body language during the regular season will also tell another story of hidden frustration. he didn’t even play that way as a member of the wizards.
coach curry is also part of this problem. the ‘08-’09 season should go down as the WORST free agent coaching season ever. coaches got fired and lots more still need to and i am sure a couple will be by the end of the year. curry is definitely on that list. i am not sure if the players have his confidence or not but then again a person can’t distinguish anything about that piston team. it is a mixed offensive and defensive bag. he, like maurice cheeks, couldn’t mix in the new guy with the established guys.
iverson may not be at his best any more, but he was a solid shooter from the perimeter in his seasons in denver. his mid range game AND 3-point game were very good. don’t take that away from him. everyone said shaq was well past done when he had a bad game against the bulls in the first round the year they won the championship. then several other times after that, especially when the heat weren’t winning.
if he doesn’t retire and gets healthy, iverson will be back at it and on sportscenter’s highlights.
back off and stop trying to retire players as soon as they falter. that approach is getting SO TiRED. let it go. start a new column! how about the pathetic coaching jobs or sorry moves made by GM’s this season. iverson? he’s not news. just make an online apology when he lands somewhere [wherever that may be] and plays pretty well —even if they win or not.