The Downfall of Allen Iverson
I'm going start by saying Allen Iverson is one of my favorite basketball players of all-time. When he was at his best in Philadelphia, he was one of the most poised shooters in the NBA. He played his heart out every game (maybe not during practice), he usually took a beating and put up massive numbers. He also gave us the best rant ever. The Answer was pure entertainment. Practice!!!
It kind of makes me sad the way he's going out, but he's not helping his cause either. The last 5 years have not been good to "The Answer". He pressured his way out of Philadelphia and forced a trade to Denver. In Denver, he didn't really gel with Carmelo Anthony and injuries slowed him down. He definitely got a bad deal in Detroit, never quite fitting in with their playbook. Signing with Memphis was a chance to reboot his career and maybe develop a new role and become a mentor. He had the opportunity to get rid of the label as being selfish and become a leader on a team of young up and comers.
One game into his stint in Memphis, A.I's ego kicked in and the whole idea of Iverson as a leader and teacher was thrown out the window. He told the press that he doesn't like coming off the bench and later left the team to contemplate hanging up his jersey.
I don't know what he was thinking. He didn't have any takers that summer, except for the Grizzlies. I would have hoped he would have realized that with Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo playing guard, his minutes were going to be severely cut. He had the chance to come off the bench, mentor Conley and Mayo, and play well enough to either earn himself a contract next year with a top tier team or have a top tier team trade for him down the stretch. But he ruined it.
I think A.I. has more fire in his belly and can produce at a high level in the NBA. He just needs to realize that his role has changed. If he can't do that, well, maybe he's better off retired.
@keepupwitjonesy
