NBA / Nov 5, 2008 / 10:27 am
Allen Iverson Not Allowed To Wear No. 3
What?! I can’t wear No. 3?Although Allen Iverson has worn No. 3 since his days at Georgetown, and Rodney Stuckey has said that he’d defer to the vet and let him have it, apparently the NBA won’t let it happen.
Yesterday the League notified the Pistons that Stuckey can’t change his number this season owing to licensing and merchandizing reasons, both in Detroit and in Denver with AI’s Nuggets gear.
We commented yesterday that it will be a strange transition for the Palace faithful to get used to seeing someone else wear No. 1, but apparently there’s nothing they can do about it.
In the comments yesterday we saw how strongly you guys felt about AI’s new number. Should the League make an exception?
Source: The Detroit News
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November 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Sam I Am says:
NOOOO
Because its all about the benjamins
I just wrote in your “How much is too much?” post about how the NBA sucks when it comes to the common man
November 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
dapro says:
AI is number 3 , period
This is a case where the NBA needs to put the bs aside and think about the players on the court
Give the man his number and stop trying to pinch every dollar out of us Stern
November 5th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Kermit the Washington says:
Wait…so just because he can’t have #3, he HAS to take 1 and doesn’t have ANY OTHER CHOICE? I think there are a lot of other numbers he could choose from; Chauncey’s joint should also be off the market.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Sam I Am says:
Kermit you don’t get it…
It’s bigger than Chauncey. Screw his # 1
It’s about screwing over the players that bring top dollars and they still want to squeeze every cent out of us.
200.00 for a CELTIC Jacket…since when did they start doing Gold Champion Memoribilia, since it was a good marketing scheme.
It aint like people can wear a #3 Nuggets or #1 Detroit b/c they just got traded and plus i haven’t seen a Stuckey jersey anywhere (but I could be wrong)
November 5th, 2008 at 10:45 am
it aint easy being green says:
its always about the all mighty dolla. we have all accepted that in pro sports at this point. is it right? not always, but ya boi AI is not above the rules, as nice as he may have been (when not flopping). that being said, i gotta agree with kermit, at least get another number than big shot’s. you mean to tell me that there was no other number available than #1. thats a bit disrespectful after all the mans done for that team and city, and i say that as a piston hating celtics fan
November 5th, 2008 at 10:47 am
that's whats up says:
if possible I’d pimp #33
November 5th, 2008 at 10:52 am
askkk 'bout it says:
Yo…. being a Detroit/AI fan — I was hoping/wishing that Bubba Chuck would go back to his football days and rock the #10.
But Joe probably got something set up with Lindsey that took that number off the table……..
November 5th, 2008 at 10:57 am
N-Truh-Kit says:
my opinion,
the league would still make more than enough money to recoup the losses for buying back the old AI denver jerseys and billups detroit jerseys. isn’t AI’s jersey always one of the best sellers in the league? they act like his Piston #3 jersey wouldn’t sell. after his trade to denver wasn’t his new jersey in the top 3 in the league or something like that? sumthin smells a tad like…BULLSHIT!!! but daz jus how i feel *shrugs*
November 5th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
We’re sitting here, and I’m supposed to be the franchise player, and we’re talking about jersey numbers. I mean listen, we’re sitting here talking about jersey numbers, not a game, not a game, not a game, but we’re talking about jersey numbers. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it’s my last but we’re talking about jersey numbers man. How silly is that? … Now I know that I’m supposed to lead by example and all that but I’m not shoving that aside like it don’t mean anything. I know it’s important, I honestly do but we’re talking about jersey numbers. We’re talking about jersey numbers man. We’re talking about jersey numbers. We’re talking about jersey numbers. We’re not talking about the game. We’re talking about jersey numbers. When you come to the arena, and you see me play, you’ve seen me play right, you’ve seen me give everything I’ve got, but we’re talking about jersey numbers right now. … Hey I hear you, it’s funny to me too, hey it’s strange to me too but we’re talking about jersey numbers man, we’re not even talking about the game, when it actually matters, we’re talking about jersey numbers… How the hell can I make my teammates better by talking about jersey numbers?
-Allen Iverson
November 5th, 2008 at 11:06 am
S-SiN says:
this is some bullshit. who will go and buy a nuggets no.3 jersey now anyway? or what seems tyop be the problem? the criteria they use as basis of that stupid rule that bans AI from getting HIS number doesn’t make any sense to me totally. league has to buy back jerseys? wtf?
November 5th, 2008 at 11:10 am
dagwaller says:
Spliff – classic.
I literally don’t get the reasoning behind not letting AI wear number 3. Hopefully someone can shine some more light on that for me.
Either way, smells like BS.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Austin Burton says:
They let Michael Jordan switch from #45 back to #23 at his own whim.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:15 am
S-SiN says:
when did they implement that rule and what exactly is it? who’s the lipmdick who came up with that shit? no one in their right mind.. coulda done that a couple of years back no one heard of it! c-webb got Andre Iggy a watch for the no.4 in philly. Michael ran out wearing his old retired no.23 in orlando in the play-offs and no one seemed to mind etc etc.. (i mean ron artest would prolly change numbers each quarter if they let him), so there have to be limits to it, but this is taking the shit waaaaay to far. plus i bet u stuckey don’t give a rats ass..
November 5th, 2008 at 11:16 am
khanhbui says:
didnt they let c webb get 4 and change iggys number to 9 from 4
iverson> c webb
November 5th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
@ Austin, that’s cause he’s MJ… Big Difference.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:18 am
S-SiN says:
whoever lobbied that rule should be dealt with by homothugs
November 5th, 2008 at 11:18 am
ERIC says:
Even Stuckey said he would give it up to AI. This is ridiculous, more people will buy the AI Pistons #3 Jersey than a #3 Rodney Stuckey Jersey and will easily recoup the $$$$$
November 5th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
Does anyone remember back in the day, when Orlando and the Bulls played early 90′s and Jordan’s jersey got snatched, so he had to wear #12. I got the Sam Vincent card with Jordan wearing the 12
November 5th, 2008 at 11:21 am
QuEsT??? says:
man that sucks iverson will always be number 3,
November 5th, 2008 at 11:25 am
S-SiN says:
what i think they’re trying to is to get people to buy 2 different AI jerseys. one this year and a no.3 after that. it’s stupid and shady but at least if that’s what they’re doing that makes some sense to me. now, i’m not saying that has inluenced my opinion, whoever made that rule up an lobbied it should get it up the ass
November 5th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Austin Burton says:
Stuckey probably wears #3 BECAUSE of Iverson. If he’s willing to give it up and Iverson wants it, what’s the problem? Now if Iverson doesn’t care, that’s another story.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:33 am
S-SiN says:
@21
Austin, couldn’t agree with you more man. whole lotta people started wearing 3 becuse of AI. 3 became the new 23 so to say
November 5th, 2008 at 11:38 am
2 Easy says:
See this is when they ruin the little things in sports. Jersey numbers are how fans identify their favourite players and AI’s been a fan favourite for YEARS and we’ve always known him as 3. It was weird enough not seein KG as 21 for the first time in YEARS but now AI’s changin his too? Wats next their gonna make PP change his number, or TD? I know if this was Carmelo it would definately be a problem, that dude KILLS for 15
November 5th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Reverend Paul Revere says:
Definitely make an exception. Allen Iverson is to the No. 3 as Jordan is to 23 and Doc is 6, Bird to 33 and Magic to 32.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:48 am
justice says:
I wore 3 because of Steph…crickets…
November 5th, 2008 at 11:51 am
justice says:
Relax people kobe and ron ron have switched numbers successfully and started a whole new way of thinking for me for the first time in my life, phuck the # if play well enough in it..
we all remember the 45 thing because mike didn’t play so hot in it, but if A.I kills #1 will be the best seller this year and No. 3 will be even more of a collectors item, hold onto ur jerseys!!!
November 5th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
2 Easy says:
@ justice
I agree that u can play well in a new number but for the record I was against Kobe’s number change and Ive been tryin to figure out which is gonna get retired when he calls it quits? He did a lot of big things wearing #8 like um score 81 points but in #24 he not only won MVP but had a ridiculous streak of scorin 50+. Ron artest… just insane
November 5th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
I don’t like the number 3… I remember back in the day when Scottie, Pat Sr. and Larry would all be on the East All Star squad and one of em would have to wear 3 and the other 30 cause Larry had the 33
November 5th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
dcom says:
@Spliff 2 My Lou
i’m in tears
November 5th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Brown says:
It was different when Jordan came back as #45 and changed to #23. He wore 45 because 23 was retired and up in the rafters. He came out with the #23 on and the league fined the Bulls $25k (or maybe it was Jordan himself, I can’t remember).
The Iverson issue is totally different. If I were the Pistons, I would let him wear #3 and deal with the consequences. It’s not like people will not buy a #3 Nuggets jersey because AI wears #3 on the Pistons. They won’t buy a #3 Nuggets jersey because AI DOESN’T PLAY for the Nuggets any more.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Kudabeen says:
Couldn’t he just chose another number? what’s really going on?
November 5th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
JDigiac says:
What happened to players buying their uni’s from other guys? Webber bought #4 off of Iguodala when he came to the sixers. It happens all the time. But, A.I. not wearing 3 will legitimately piss me off. Like someone said AI is to 3 as Jordan is to 23.
November 5th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Bondzai says:
I believe I mentioned this rule in an earlier post. Dime, you hiring?
@Austin – I think I read somewhere that Stuckey wears #3 because of Dwayne Wade.
November 5th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
OK says:
HAHAHAHA, tru dat!!!
justice says:
I wore 3 because of Steph…crickets…
November 5th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Mike Jones says:
AI wearing #1 is like Michael Jordan wearing #69. Nuff said.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
justice says:
If kobe gets a chip noone will ever wear #8 or #24 for the lakers again…It funny i think the league might have wanted to retire #23 but with lebron wearing it, that’s not gonna happen.. but once lebron retires they might as well get rid of that, who the phuck wants to play in the number the MJ and then Lebron played in? the pressure
November 5th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
dagwaller says:
Yea, justice, the crickets joke was pretty good.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
JT$ says:
When CWebb was traded to the 76er’s a few years back, Iggy gave up #4 and changed to 9 midseason, so I dont know how Stuckey cant give Iverson 3 and change to a different number.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
dapro says:
Justice
Kobe and Artest choose to switch numbers
AI wasn’t given a choice, you know how superstitious athletes can be
Hopefully it doesn’t have a negative impact on his game
November 5th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
GEE...Oooh I can't believe it! says:
Depends on how well Iverson does wearing 1. If he is better, then wear that 1 out! If he is not doing to hot, get that man 3 quick.
November 5th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Jamie says:
When you think of AI you think #3 and thats how he will be remembered, so fuck the NBA and its licensing reasons let the man wear #3!
November 5th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
sammy says:
I guess I dont understand the logic behind making him wear #1. If Stuckey is willing to give it up, whats the problem? The league wants to talk bs about liscensing and buying back jerseys like AI’s #3 wont make them their money back plus more. Why would someone buy a Denver jersey with the #3 now that he’s not there anymore? Doesnt make sense.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
tony says:
its total bull!! the league had no problem with this when Chris Webber was traded to the sixers anf Andre Igoudala changed his number from 4 to 9 or when when Antoine Walker was traded back to boston and Al Jefferson changed from number 8 to 7. AI has always had # 3 and Stuckey said he would give it up for AI, this is not like when MJ came back and wore 45 he couldn’t wear 23 because it was RETIRED!, AI has been one of the 3 or 4 best players in the league since he was drafted -Kobe , Shaq and Duncan probably being the other three- and he has a carrer average of 27.7 ppg third all-time! better than Kobe’s 25! I have no idea why the league has a problem with this. Great players have always been remembered by their #’s: Wilt #13, Magic/Malone #32, Kareem/Bird #33, and the list goes on. The league claims its a marketing problem, trust me its going to become a marketing problem when you don’t let a shoe in half of famer wear his signature #, it just isn’t right.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:21 am
kowtz says:
It’s just a number… his jersey would still say iverson at the back…
November 6th, 2008 at 4:38 am
ThisGuy says:
Worst part is that he’ll probably be back to #3 next year and anyone with a #1 AI pistons jersey is going to feel like they got screwed.
But then again AI will probably be out of Detroit by the end of the year anyways. So buying a Iverson Pistons jersey is probably stupid to begin with.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:52 am
DARRYL SHAEER RHAMAD says:
IVERSON EARN THE RIGHT TO KEEP #3 JERSEY WITH SWEAT AND HARD WORK THROUGH THE YEARS WE THE PEOPLE SHOULD PROTEST THIS OUTRAGE!!!!!!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
tim says:
maybe we can get one of those big online petitions to send the NBA and let them make an exception? Personally, its no big deal what number he wears, but I do think 1 is a big slap in Chauncey’s face… Is 9 available? number 3 on his third team = 3 x 3…might be interesting…
Put Dime, get on that petition to the NBA…that would be fun to try anyways.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
SayItIsntSo says:
When Iverson was traded to Denver they allowed him to keep his number and homeboy from the Nuggets gave up his #3 for Iverson..so the league is just being greedy. I agree with some other people that Iverson wearing another number may look a little strange, but maybe its not a bad thing. Sure he had some great times wearing #3..but he had some bad times too. Maybe its time for a change. It wasn’t untill KG changed his # that he won a ring with the Celts…when Kobe changed his # he got even better and so on.
Also, I know that both D-Wade and CP3 have said they wear #3 because of Iverson.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
go AI says:
ai = #3.
November 9th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
AI says:
Allen Iverson is number 3 and has always been number 3. Everyone knows him as 3 and it’s been his number in the NBA since 1996 and he should be allowed to keep it.
He’s left a strong impact on the sport and for the NBA and he should be number 3 in Detroit.
A.I = 3 for life.
December 4th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
BreAnn Martinez says:
I can not believe this, how can they just not give him is Jersey number i mean come on he worked so hard all these years wearing that number and now there gonna deprive him of it whats next?