Allen Iverson: I’d Rather Retire Than Go Through This Again
I really never thought we’d get to this point. In recent days when headlines have popped up around the sports blog-o-sphere, I thought that the media was kind of blowing the Allen Iverson-to-the-bench issue out of proportion. But it turns out that he really is as upset as writers say he is. That doesn’t mean that AI is being a baby, though. This dude cares so much about playing his best and winning, he’s worked himself into a dither.
“I’d rather retire before I do this again,” Iverson said. “I can’t be effective playing this way. I’m not used to it. It’s tough for me both mentally and physically. If I’m able to go out there, I should be able to get it done and I can’t right now. It’s my fault. I have to be able to overcome the adversity and do what I have to do. I just have to find a way to get it done. Not being 100 percent makes it harder and you can see that I’m not 100 percent.”
The whole idea of sending AI to the bench was that it would help everyone individually, and thereby help the team. But that’s clearly not happening here – it’s become more of an issue than it’s worth. So here’s my question: why hasn’t Michael Curry been able to realize this, and make changes accordingly? I realize he’s in a precarious position, having to bring someone who normally starts off of the bench, but there has to be a better alternative than a first-ballot Hall of Famer getting really upset.
“I’m in a position now that I’ve never been in my whole life,” Iverson said. “It’s harder than I thought it would be. With the back injury, I have to sit out at the start, then go in, then sit again. It’s tough to really get going. I take my hat off to the guys who can come off the bench and be effective. It’s tough for me. I’m struggling with it.”
So how can this be fixed at this juncture? Is there any way that this frustration can be re-shaped and molded into a team-wide rallying cry for a championship? That would be the ultimate story. I just don’t know how that could happen. Maybe AI comes back in the lineup alongside Rip, and Stuckey goes back to the bench. Maybe the Pistons go super small to start with Stuckey, AI, Rip, Tayshaun and Maxiell? At this point, there are no bad ideas.
Source: Real GM
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April 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 am
Bruce says:
Swallow your ego and come off the bench. It will boost your career and maybe you might get the exclusive ring.
Look at Manu.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:23 am
blah says:
ai is prolly my fave nba player. i got a lot of respect for someone who can do what he does at his height. but no one is bigger than the team. they should just tinsley him for this year and let him walk this summer. someone could use him but this team isn’t built for his talents, having him in detroit makes them worse.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
I'm on crack says:
Iverson is such a selfish biatch! This guy doesn’t care about the team winning, only about him!
Never once has he said anything about making the team better! Only about getting his minutes and starting.
Just leave him in the bench!
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:30 am
Shrink This says:
I’m going to have to disagree AK; just because he’s trying to say the right things doesn’t mean he’s not being a baby. I mean, his first quote contains a lot of words, but doesn’t really say anything.
Curry’s got a tough enough job trying to make this terrible trade (for detroit) work without AI taking this public. AI was and is a great player, but this just doesn’t seem to be the right setting for him (or detroit) at this point.
It’s a shame to see the piston’s floundering like this.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:31 am
QQ says:
Too bad I didn’t listen.
When I FIRST (*coughs*) learned that AI was traded to Detroit, I actually felt that he will help the Pistons in a lot of ways. Most of the posters here are saying things like he will take the team down with his me-first jacking, and that he couldn’t sacrifice for his teammates, a thing that the Detroit players are used to with Chauncey. I didn’t listen.
To all ya players, this is an apology. Now I know. Now I know that Iverson is one selfish son of a bitch who cannot(and will not) sacrifice anything for a chance to see his team win. Now I fucking know.
PS: Dime, stop defending him. He is THE cancer that is responsible for the Piston’s slide. It’s not Curry, it’s not Dumars, it’s not the ballboy. It is fucking Iverson. Deal with it.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:32 am
LoBezn0 says:
It might be too late in the season, but let AI start over Stuckey and see what’ll happen. Rip’s doing some playmaking lately anyway.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:34 am
itsakademiks says:
yea i dont get how people are still defending ai no disrespect cus ai is one of my fav’s of all time but son talking bout retiring rather then coming off the bench again come on man…son should be happy being the man on a losing team next
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:37 am
FCBarca says:
AI, like many star players in many sports before him, simply hasn’t accepted the reality of diminishing skills…He’s not the player he once was and that freelancing style of his worked when his athleticism and talent could make up for all the mistakes…Now, he’s truly a bench player.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:38 am
mosduff says:
whatever frame you put on this, he’s acting like a fool. Iverson is a great player but if I was Piston fan I’d be pissed.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:42 am
Ric Hardwood says:
I knew he had an ego but c’mon… he used to be one of my favorite players but his ego is massive…
Stuckey should come off the bench and Iverson should start, but Iverson should get a majority of his minutes with the second unit… no question, he could still average over 20ppg, but it won’t be for a winning team…
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
Heckler...formerly 'Yallallreadyknow' says:
Allen Iverson changes the whole complexion of a team. only shaq and tracy mcgrady do that too.
they cannot fit into any system; they are the system. you have to change your whole personnel to put a team around them. especially iverson because of his small size.
pistons should just keep him on the bench for now, but play him starter minutes. after the playoffs, he’ll be gone and they wont re-sign him.
and this is ironic….but for allen iverson to succeed at his best, he should return to denver and play alongside chauncey billips. chauncey is the type backcourt player that will mesh perfectly with iverson
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 am
stupid says:
Why you’re all still talking like there’re scenario with Pistons winning the chip? They’re not winning it anyway, anyhow, so what’s the point of all the shitsmashing?
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 am
Kudabeen says:
No one was saying all that when RIP repeatedly spoke on his displeasure to come off the bench. RIP saying “I’m a Starter” is different from Iverson saying it?
Who cares about Curry’s position…The fact of the matter is effort. Guys are really getting down. They ones who do consistently like Bynum and Max can’t find consistent minutes…Tayshaun isn’t assertive…Sheed has retired and RIP’s ego is way out of control IMO…Iverson is indefensible in this sense…What did he think was going to happen with the losses piling up…He is the new guy to a former winning team.
What he is saying physically I get loose to play then go to the bench and cool down, then I get in and get warm, but then it’s time to go back to the bench…What is hard to understand about that. He says it is his issue that he has to deal with. That sounds like a man not a baby. We put microphones in guys face daily and attack them when they actually tell the truth. He didn’t say F Curry and F this team. He said my back is an issue, but it is worst sitting on the bench. I have some mental issues to overcome and the physical situation isn’t helping…Simple and plain…
He has a right to want more for himself. You losers that feel like he should just settle for less of himself should go kill yourselves because you are worthless…To want more isn’t selfish it is human. Him coming off the bench or starting isn’t going to make Detroit better, because they already quit on themselves before he got there. If they didn’t why would Dumars make the change? Because he is an idiot? We all should know that isn’t the case.
Sheed is retired and Stuckey isn’t developing as quick…Took a gamble and lost…This summer Pistons have major $$ to play with, but all this public dysfunction isn’t helping the franchise look like a viable option for a major free agent with choices, but $$ talks…
If Iverson retired because he felt like he couldn’t do it at the level he would like to how is that a problem??
“He is THE cancer”…really? So I guess all those inept performances in the crunch post Chip run was his fault too? Pistons are falling off now because after the championship they didn’t really show they had what it takes to pull themselves up…With Chauncey.
RIP, Tayshaun, Stuckey, Sheed gave more on the floor than Iverson in their careers? Really? They are coasters and front runners…I always respected them as good players, but not great. Gain perspective on why things changed. One player shouldn’t be responsible for mentality of an entire team…If that is the case how weak are the 11 other players on a roster?
Just Lame…
Iverson…Play, Retire, Adjust or whatever. It is his choice and it shouldn’t excuse the lack of accountability the other people in Pistons’ organization have…
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 am
LakeShow84 says:
Sad because he might have to retire.. He wont fit into ANY contenders plans.. look at the top teams.. Maybe Orlando but then Hedo would fade away and Hedo moves the ball for them.. i could actually see him playing for Cleveland but would they really be that much better with him starting?? he has no D and doesnt pass as well as he COULD..
Hes a player who would be happy throwing up 26ppg on a lottery team.. and then complain he has no talent around him to compete..
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:00 am
jay says:
this was a bad trade and putting curry in this situation was terrible from the start. you can go small ball to appease iverson but you run into match up issues especially come playoff time when it is mostly half court. ai wont be there next year and the simple thing would be to make stuckey come off the bench but that will set the franchise back. stuckey is the future. just my opinion though!
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:04 am
calvin brodus says:
I just don’t believe he would rather retire then play off the bench.
@ heckler
i like ivy plenty, and he was great while here in denver. having said that, PLEASE GOD DONT LET HIM RETURN TO THE NUGGS!
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 am
Ian says:
words of a champion
this overrated sucker needs to shut the fuck up and adjust to the team.
i bet if kobe says this crap hes selfish but iverson says it and now u cant blame him because hes tryin to play his best fuck that. ANY player who says this shit is selfish.
always a cancer
kudabeen is that a late aprils fools??? really u think all that from a selfish player that had just one deep postseason run. i can avg 30 pts taking 40 shots playing with scrubs. didnt billups take that same team to how many straight conference finals isnt billups the same dude that has the nuggets in second place in the west?? what did iverson do with the same teams that billups had?? shit.
“You losers that feel like he should just settle for less of himself should go kill yourselves because you are worthless” you sounded like a crazy stalker fan with that one.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 am
QQ says:
Wow. ‘Inept performances after the Chip’? They went to Eastern Conference Finals 4 straight times after the ’04. That’s what you call ‘inept’? And now that they are with Iverson, they’re struggling to clinch a freaking playoff berth. What an upgrade, really.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:13 am
Sanpitch says:
i used to think no one had the heart like iverson. i have some serious ???? about this guy.
like coming off the bench and playing 20 some odd minutes and collecting $22 mill is that hard of a season.
if he is trying to get sympathy, good luck finding someone willing to listen in this economy.
iverson, just put on your jock strap and take some notes from ginobli, odom, and kirilenko. i am not putting them in the same category as iverson i am just pointing out that they would be starters for most teams but have put their ego aside for the betterment of the TEAM. iverson could learn from that concept.
the problem with iverson is he used to be that smokin hot 20 yr old chick that everyone wanted to tap. now that smokin hot chick is 40 with some wrinkles and botox and that a$$ ain’t what it used to be, but she still thinks she’s that smokin hot 20 yr old.
once you’ve been ridden that hard for that long, you ain’t what you used to be. let that be a morale for the rest of you.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 am
Michorizo says:
He just has “Little Man Syndrome”
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 am
QQ says:
RIP, Tayshaun, Stuckey, Sheed gave more on the floor than Iverson in their careers? Really? They are coasters and front runners…I always respected them as good players, but not great. Gain perspective on why things changed. One player shouldn’t be responsible for mentality of an entire team…If that is the case how weak are the 11 other players on a roster?
Would you read that paragraph again. Please. Damn.
Asking about if the former Detroit players gave more on the court than Iverson? Damn.
All those players sacrificed their game to win a chip and to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the decade. They could have been, ehem, KUDABEEN stars if they chose to be on other teams. They could average 20 ppg, become perennial All Stars, etc. But NO. They worked as a team, said ‘FUCK YOU’ to their egos (Sheed’s crazy but yall know the brother sacrificed his superstar status to be the glue veteran in the D), and played TOGETHER to win a chip. And now you’re questioning them and comparing them to a bitch ass who never sacrificed for a teammate? PUHLEASSSSE.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:19 am
Marc Stein says:
i cant beleive i still have a sixers AI poster up on my wall. this guy is shit. fuck AI!
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:20 am
Sanpitch says:
correction to 19
should be moral instead of morale.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:26 am
G says:
You guys are all wildin. AI is being honest he is not effective off the bench. whats wrong with saying that hes beig honest, and to tell you the truth a lot of players arent, they need the minutes to be able to work themselves into a rythm, to get the defenders on their heels and reacting to them. Dude can play. Sure he dominates the rock but thats something you have to live with. He gets into the lane and causes problems, if you have biug men that can crash the boards and spot up shooters who can knock down the shots when they come AI can fit in perfectly. No hes not gonna shoot 50% from the field, or play lock down defense on the bigger 2 guards in the league. But hes gonna give you 100% all the time. Hes respected enough that he can motivate other players on the team. And homie will still drop 30 on you before you know what happened. Everyone wants to use this Pistons example as why hes a “cancer”. I dont want to hear that noise. Hes has been there less than a year. And got thrown into a system that had been developed around an ultra efficient style PG. Guess what AI isnt that, and you know what neither is Stuckey. So that system that theyre still trying to run doesnt work. Switch it up. Let AI run, put Rip in situations where he doesnt need to take 15 sec running around 5 different screens before he gets open, give Maxiell more burn and let him do his Paul Milsap thing. But at the end of the day stop hating on my man.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:28 am
LakeShow84 says:
LMAO Ian..
Come on Kudabeen.. RIP has always had a big ego no doubt but when AI went down RIP stepped up big time and they would be a lot better off record wise if he didnt get injured.. wasnt he averaging close 8ast during a stretch?? so his ego backs it up.. hes a starter.. now if the WHINY answer gets back into the starting lineup and they start losing AGAIN you think he VOLUNTARILY go back to the bench?? hell no cuz he dont care.. he cares about starting.. he cares about getting 20 FGA a game..
Its good he was honest but he is still being selfish.. the playoffs aint even started and his team dont need this shit.. RIP was campaigning for him to come back and now he is whining?? fuck that getting loose and getting warm shit too.. thats a cop out.. hes trying to sound weak and hurt so people feel sympathy before they actually realize what he is doing/saying..
let him walk..
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:31 am
Kudabeen says:
Ian you must be my fan, because my opinions effect you…or your the same type of worthless loser I’m talking about and it hurts…I’m a stalker, because I can read and I follow basketball? Please…
It isn’t Iverson’s team and never was…This was sinking ship before the trade…Just because you say he is selfish don’t make him selfish…Selfish compared to who exactly? Kobe? LeBron? Wade? Kidd? Ben Wallace? Point is it doesn’t matter…organizations set the tone, coaches align the pieces and the pieces execute…Pistons haven’t been operating in a manner that is satisfactory to Dumars so he blew them up and is looking to the future…Comparing Iverson to Chauncey is silly…
If Conference Finals was the goal wouldn’t the Pistons be in tact still?? Of course, but When LeBron is digging in that ass and NO ONE is stepping up on the team to stop him or create shots on the other end it is a problem…When an old Shaq and Wade is running through your guys on one end and you are not attacking on the other end it is a problem…
Yes Blame Larry Brown, Blame Flip Suanders, Blame Iverson…
QQ:
I never said Iverson was an upgrade. I said from the door he is not a floor leader. He needs a floor leader to be successful. Every team needs a floor leader to be successful. Pistons don’t have ANY LEADERS…that is the issue…So calling Iverson selfish for saying he isn’t comfortable coming of the bench at this stage is doesn’t make sense…RIP sulked after the trade and while on the bench…And don’t get me wrong RIP is playing like he should on offense…It is a system built on his strengths and a team he has played with for years…But no one is going to get me to say Iverson sunk the ship…Not While I watch RIP, Prince, Sheed not hustle and walk back on defense. Not while I watch Stuckey look lost before isoing. Not while I watch as the only Big man doing big man things is Dyse. Not while I watch Curry look helpless on the sideline. Not while I watch RIP chew out a Backup for not covering his mistake in losing his man.
Fact is he said I’d rather retire than go through this…meaning I can’t do it physically, my freedom is limited on the floor, and I am struggling with the notion that I’m a better bench player than starter, which I have been my whole life…
Some people are accustomed to being considered the best and performing their best…others are willing to settle for less and just blend in…Both are needed to win…
I want my kids to have all the things in the world they desire and I will not settle for less…I guess I’m selfish because I want more…That is asinine.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:32 am
Ian says:
sanpitch
the only reason the guys u mentioned arent considered as great its because iverson gunned for a bad team but NO WAY in hell id take iverson over manu or odom and if i get the 05 kirelenko i rather have him also on my team.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 am
BDK23 says:
If Colangelo is man, he knows what to do. A package involving Iverson going to the Rap’s would be perfect. I doubt Iverson would mind playing in Canada as detroit is really the same distance away from raptorland as bull territory as.
Think about it, bosh would definatly stick around come 2010 knowing he has another provven scorer on the floor that he can excel with.You could run a.i. and calderon both at the same time still being quite effective.
calderon-iverson-marion-bosh-bargnani
what do u think??
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 am
BDK23 says:
If Colangelo is man, he knows what to do. A package involving Iverson going to the Rap’s would be perfect. I doubt Iverson would mind playing in Canada as detroit is really the same distance away from raptorland as bull territory is.
Think about it, bosh would definatly stick around come 2010 knowing he has another provven scorer on the floor that he can excel with.You could run a.i. and calderon both at the same time still being quite effective.
calderon-iverson-marion-bosh-bargnani
what do u think??
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 am
Scott says:
Personally I’m surprised at the backlash he’s getting. I’m also surprised that the whole Detroit is falling off is being completely scapegoated to AI.
RIP cried/whined/bitched A LOT when Billups was traded. Sheed barely tries these days, and would rather cheer on the young guys. Stuckey is NOT Wade or even Rondo at this point. He was RUSHED WAY TOO QUICKLY.
I respect AI for being a man and opening up to the media. He could’ve shut the fuck up and left everyone guessing, but that would caused even more of a ruckus cuz people would’ve thought he’s pissed at Curry or the squad. So he laid his thoughts out there. Put the onus on himself and put to bed any thoughts of him being upset with his team/Curry. Even if he isn’t a fan of coming off the bench.
Here’s a question, why the fuck don’t they platoon AI and RIP depending on their opponents?
In their game against the Nets they were facing a starting backcourt of Dooling/Harris does that not SCREAM AI should get the starting nod alongside Stuckey to matchup?????
This team isn’t a fuckin puzzle of a polar bear its a rubix cube. You can’t just make one move and be like ‘Gee, I hope we win every game now!’
If Flip were running the show still this wouldn’t be an issue. You gotta make changes according to your opponent. You have 2 full fledged NBA starting Shooting Gaurds who CANNOT play any other position, no matter who wants to try to change them.
With 2 AMAZING assets in AI and RIP, Curry should be doing his homework, figure out who matches up better with who, and start accordingly.
Regardless, it doesn’t help when it seems like the Pistons have left AI out on his own island, no matter how many media stories they show on ABC with AI and Sheed hanging out, you gotta believe the Pistons make it known AI needs to get his shit together.
Everyone forgets how the Pistons dissolved in last years playoffs, the older guys are being phased out and the younger guys are getting more minutes. It’s a Joe D type of rebuilding or at least it seems.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 am
dmitry of jersey says:
AI is a punk for doing this.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:37 am
Ian says:
no kudabeen u apparently cant read and follow basketball i mean what type of crazy fan tells people to go kill themselves because of a selfish player u remind me of deniro in the movie the fan.
this is what u sound like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHmvkRoEowc&feature=PlayList&p=A2C58CDFF32FA25C&index=0&playnext=1
dude everyone posted and opinion and just because no one agrees with you u have to come up with all that weird stuff let it go
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:41 am
Sanpitch says:
i also wouldn’t take iverson over any of the mentioned players. i would even take jason terry before i would take ai right now.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:42 am
Ian says:
apparently im the one affecting you because your post has been mentioned by others but you just mentioned me weird huh?
lets look at this like we all are 5 years old
iverson leaves philly wow nothing happens they still are in the hunt for those low seeds iverson provided
iverson pairs up with melo and has a good team around them what happens destroyed in the first round by spurs and lakers being the 8th seed.
iverson leaves to a team that has made 5-6 straight conference finals boom trying to land a playoffs spot now.
meanwhile the same dude we never talked about being a superstar keeps deron williams of the allstar team and makes the nuggets the second seed in the west oh and did i mentioned he won a title with those pistons.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:45 am
Ian says:
sanpitch true id take terry also
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:45 am
fupax says:
Stuckey isnt that fucking good, send his bum ass to the bench!!!
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:47 am
Kudabeen says:
QQ:
“They could have been, ehem, KUDABEEN stars if they chose to be on other teams. They could average 20 ppg, become perennial All Stars”
Who??
The common theme of the Piston players were they bonded by feeling they were tossed away and misjudged…They worked hard and played with a chip on their shoulders. They played with an inspiring brand of tenacity and YES ushered in a sense of team that was at the time lacking…
BUT
Things changed…When things weren’t going well TEAM broke down, fingers were pointed, and they have MANY let downs…
So Many that guess what….
Dumars and Bill Davidson weren’t happy. They watch as the team unraveled in the crunch. They watched the GREATEST TEAM watch Greater competitors come in their gym and destroy their whole “Team Concept”…LOL
So don’t try to paint pictures in my mind that Pistons were a perfect team and then Evil Iverson and his Selfish way came and destroyed they whole perfect team along with ravishing Detroit city’s economy…
If it makes you feel better cool, but I’m not letting the other players and the organization off the hook that easy.
Iverson isn’t a leader and his never been one his entire career…Now you want him to except less of himself for the good of a losing team? He and his doctors say his experiencing numbness in his back and legs…If you believe that why is it hard to see where the frustration all adds up…
A year of dysfunction…To blame on guy is asinine and to try to discredit his entire career because of the Pistons fall from grace is to live in a constant state fo delusion…
But I’m going to leave the Sam Smith Sports club to continue with the knee-jerk reactions and judgments. I said all I have to say.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:47 am
QQ says:
But then…Why wouldn’t you call him selfish? He said he’d rather retire than play for the bench. What do you call that? Any other player who speaks that shit will get shot down for their comments, but when AI said that, it is still not being selfish? Not selfish means you gotta play no matter what, as long as it is for your freaking team. The minutes, the points, the hype, it won’t matter. As long as it is for your squad. That’s what not being selfish means.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:56 am
phong says:
AI hasn’t been able to play with ANY half decent players in his entire career. I’m a die hard Sixers fan and the only time in AI’s career he had a good postseason run was with the ’01 team made up of guys that did all the dirty work and give AI the ball everytime on offense. AI stunts the growth of younger players because they never see the ball. AI will dribble the ball back and forth for about 20 seconds of the shot clock, then either jack up a shot or make a pass ONLY when he HAS to. The guy is a joke. He says he wanted to be great but never put in the work. He might have the most natural talent of any player I ever saw but he didn’t work at it. While others were in the gym working out or practicing in the summers…AI was running around looking for his wife with gun in hand. How much better could he have been if he actually tried getting better and not relying completely on talent and his freakish athletetism?
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
LakeShow84 says:
No because AI has too much heart QQ..
But call me crazy cuz if the man who needs the ball the MOST, has the MOST heart, and is the MOST courageous guy out there.. wouldnt and shouldnt that be your leader??
If AI supporters cant admit it now that the man will never win a chip because he wants it HIS way then they never will..
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
QQ says:
And by admitting that AI is not a leader and never has been, therefore has has no fucking right to demand playing time or to dictate to his coach the way he should be played, Kudabeen just destroyed his own argument. Damn.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Ian says:
kudabeen
“no kudabeen u apparently cant read and follow basketball” forget this part it wasnt called for i was just messing with the crazy fan shit and i dont want it to get to a back and forth here.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Ian says:
qq thats true
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
LayupDrill says:
Iverson and Detroit was never a good fit. Hopefully he can link up with the right situation next year.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
will says:
lol whos the dude that said look at manu are u comparing an 5 time scoring champion a mvp a 2 time allstar game mvp rookie of the yr and 1st ballot hall of fame to manu lololoololol im from philly and the saddest thing i have 2 see is how u idiots in detroit dont have a clue about bball lol awful that maybe y the best dude i know from detroit in the nba is willie green lol please detroit people watch hockey leave basketball to philly and ny thanx
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
karizmatic says:
There are no bad ideas and no good ideas either. AI at this point is a bench player…unless he miraculously changes his mindset and realizes he can get 5 more years out of his career playing Point Guard.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Whoever said it made a lil sense..
i can see him going to Toronto..
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
BROGDEN says:
Can a “STARTING PLAYER” subjugate thier own good the for the good of the “TEAM”?
Let’s see…
ginobli can do it
hedo can do it
joe smith can do it
stackhouse can do it
rip can do it
tj can do it
shaq can do it
odom can do it
parish can do it
bill walton can do it
marbury can do it
horry can do it
cassell can do it
…point is…
good players can do it.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
will says:
in todays comments curry answered a question about ai’s minutes by basically saying will bynum has 2 play r u freaking kidding me will bynum omg stuff like this would never happen here in philly will bynum over a legend curry ur 36-39 and going out 1st round keep ur best players happy and u may pull off an upset 1st round and save ur job or u can play will bynum 20 min and ai 17 r u kidding me im just glad im not ai i wouldnt have come back from injury at all its such a slap in the face to begin with to have him backing up rip hamilton lololol u mean ai starts in the all star gm a gm that rip has made only twice never started in but he cant start on his own team very sad rip is a 18 ppg guy in his prime u talking bout 27ppg career avg then u start this stuckey kid he’s playing 38 minutes a game lol i dont care what u say u put ai and rip in the backcourt and u wait till that works itself out if ur not gonna play ur best players 38 to 40 min per game ur not gonna be good in this league i hate detroit now and its retarded repoters and gay fans lol how can u like rip hamilton im from philly he grew up 10 minutes from me and i know he shouldnt start over ai lol can u say rip in the hof lololol never
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
truh8 says:
AI is more washed up than Kenny Powers…
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
will says:
and who’s this brogden guy lololol this list u have is hilarious lamar odom please ur list should only conatian player who have an mvp trophy who have started in 9 all star games who r 1st ballot hof’s odom rip stackhouse joe smith who the hell r these guys they r roll players anyway none of these guys except shaq is a star or a franchise player and shaq dont come off the bench hedo starts lol awe man ai tried what u r saying he started in the beginning of the season and after avging 27 last yr he avg 18 as a starter for the team the problem is pistons hate him cause he makes 20 mill he’s the face of there franchise as soon as he stepped in they hate him thats all it is if curry was start u let ai avg 30 and let those guys u think r good lol be what they r role players including rip he’s a role player he aint chauncey
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Scott says:
who’s TJ? lol TJ Ford??? Seriously????????????? (Add a hundred more question marks lol)
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Scott says:
ps. Starbury didn’t have a choice.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
karizmatic says:
Yeah Brogden, some of the people on your list are seriously questionable.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
LakeShow84 says:
“I can play 18 minutes with my eyes closed,” Iverson said. “It’s a bad feeling. I’m wondering, what the rush was to get me back. For that?’”
thats what he also said after the loss to Cleveland.. like i said he just looking for sympathy now.. spare me that shit..
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
V says:
It makes me reallll sad to hear Iverson talking about retirement just cause its not working out with detroit doesnt make him any less of the player he was last year.It irritates me to hear people saying that A.i.’s skills are fading too cause that simply is not the case. Last year with denver, the nuggets won 50 games, iverson was the third leading scorer in the league, he was playing well and the team sorta was also until the playoffs. But to hear iverson talking bout retirement is foolish cause its not like hes been continuously getting worse from season to season, its just a BAD situation in detroit, cause just last year he was on top of his game. If he would retire now fans across the world be heartbroken, he was voted in as a starter this year for all star, people still love him off
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Kudabeen says:
QQ what was my argument really?
My arguments:
This year doesn’t make a career…
One organization is not carried by one player (shouldn’t be)…
Expectations are way out of control for Iverson at this point…
I never called or depicted Iverson as a Champion…Sorry that’s what you all seem stuck on…I know he isn’t a Floor Leader…He has heart and his style of play and effort should inspire those on the floor with heart…His scoring, passing lane defense, rebounding (for his size), and ability to really disrupt the other teams scheme IS what is going to put him in the Hall of Fame…
Because people don’t like him of fell in love with what they wanted him to be doesn’t reflect poorly on him…He did what he did and will be in the Hall of Fame…
I know enough about the game that I don’t expect Iverson at 6ft maybe to be Shaq, MJ, Kobe, LeBron, Magic, Bird or who ever…
If you think he is, then which one of them was asked to come of the bench before hitting 35?
Great competitors are that because they have standards for themselves and their situation…
Iverson says it plain :
“If I’m able to go out there, I should be able to get it done and I can’t right now. It’s my fault. I have to be able to overcome the adversity and do what I have to do. I just have to find a way to get it done. Not being 100 percent makes it harder and you can see that I’m not 100 percent”
What more do you want? But I’m the the one not reading this right? Fact is Ginobli, Odom and whatever other players has never been required to be superhuman…That is reserved for Hall of Famers…
Patrick Ewing had no cartilage in his knees and people beat him up like he wasn’t producing…The man has gave his knees to the game…I guess Iverson is not really hurt though in your eyes…He is just faking like he has always done when playing through injuries…
He has played some of his best basket ball the last 3-4 years, but because of team success he is always the cause and selfish….
Toss 25-30ppg, 7-8apg , 2-3spg, 3-4rpg, 40-44mpg , 9-11 ftapg out there for any other player and we would be amazed, but attach Iversons name to it and it sucks and he doesn’t work on his game enough, and he is the sole reason none of his teams won a Chip…But I’m the one not reading this right? Straight Comedy…
Just that last thing…I’m retiring from this topic (for now)
Just as a PSA for all those struggling with self-worth and ambition issues I apologize as a faceless blogger for hitting a sensitive nerve in saying kill yourselves because you are worthless. I didn’t know that saying everyone should demand the best for themselves was such a taboo or “Stalker fan” thing to say…
I apologize to you and to everyone that will ever depend on you to do your best in life…
Out ~
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
POPPI GEE says:
Wow AI has been ripped several new ones lol. I come not to bury dude but support him.
First off I will just admit being bias on this because I been a fan since G-Town days.
Still even with bias comes common thought and sense. I have been and still put this on the coach. It’s to many scenarios, variables and ways to even try to make this work that haven’t been attempted or tried.
I am sorry I don’t care how much he dominates the ball, you don’t sit no All-Star and future H.O.F. I would be taking this same stance for RIP. As a coach you find a way to make it work, and clearly, clearly, CLEARLY it ain’t workin in the ways pimpin (the coach) has tried it.
Stuckey is nice but I don’t see where he can’t be the one coming off the bench. Shoot at times you can even roll a three guard set and have them with Sheed and Prince and let them work on teams.
I saw someone said also match them up off of who you are playing against. Perhaps running a more up-tempo style and catching the other team in more transition than setting up in a half-court set that allows for more stopping of play will work better. I am just saying it’s to many ways than to sit this man on the bench.
Should have gotten rid of this coach a long time ago, like the Suns did with Porter. Dude clearly can’t coach that well.
When the head don’t know what to do or have any solutions, you can’t get mad at players for trippin. This dude got a nice army but he can’t lead it.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Kudabeen says:
Also for those who react of of just headlines, check out the whole article at least…If you don’t like him it won’t matter, but the quote was never I’d rather retire than play off the bench…
http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5800022806
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
BROGDEN says:
some on my list weren’t/aren’t hofers…but that wasn’t my point. my point is he can come off the bench just like the next man.
look, he was TRADED to detroit. it’s not like he chose to be there.
he’ll have another/other opportunities to flourish under his style of play but now he’s with detroit, the team that started that whole TEAM craze a couple of years ago. Remember??? They beat that 1-2 hofer combo..remember??? with castoffs and so called has beens?
yeah, iverson’s style doesn’t fit but who said he’s gonna be a piston for life.
this situation is what it is. it’s situational.
and right now the situation calls for his ass to come off the bench.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Jim says:
Coming off of injury for Philly he said something like “You don’t ask an MVP to come off the bench.”
That week, Duncan was also coming back from injury, and Pops had him come off the bench for a few games. Shit, if only Duncan had some heart.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
nobs6669 says:
fuck most people here have you ever play basketball. do u think iverson will mesh if she would do what garnett and ray allen do in boston. but have you thought about that garnett is a role player not a superstar same goes as allen. and questioned. have you seen michael jordan play his best when he was a six man in washington. and when he move to the man in washington he became that great player we used to be. have anybody thought of that.
at this point allen iverson knows what he is capable of doing. and with the trade the detroit do. they know what iverson can do. but what they are doing to iverson. they are trying to change his game, even though we all know he still can do those thing. now every one is hating iverson because shes being selfish thinking about himself. but have you watch piston play. have you seen how unselfish he play so he could blend with piston. but have you seen the piston try to adapt to iverson. but all they do is let stuckey do the things that iverson should do. but the real thought is stuckey been effective, the wholes season?
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Jayo says:
“You don’t ask an MVP to come off the bench.”
That quote shows you that AI is more about himself & his numbers than winning. Wouldn’t a true HOFer & MVP be willing to sacrafice his numbers for the greater good of the team? Besides he’s the perfect 6th man. Let him run w/ Maxiell, Afflalo, Amir, & the other Detroit back-ups & he can get all the numbers he wants w/o messing up the starters chemistry. C-Webb was right. AI would rather play w/ 4 stiffs & get “his” than play a lesser role & win.
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
doc says:
Stuckey is Joe Dumars son.He didnt want his mom to go public with his cheating so he made him start.AI was the man and all that good shit before,and as long as he keep his ass out a Sixers uni im good.Because Iggy would be a 10 point scorer again.
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
alex says:
Reader Eli Steinberger has a thought about Allen Iverson: “Allen Iverson to Europe. It’s the perfect storm: 1. Aging superstar 2. Can still score on anyone 3. Refuses to take a smaller role – DUDE, just hop across the pond! Think he’d go for it? He’d get a HUGE paycheck, super-duper-star status, and as much PT as he wants. He could become the first guy to win an MVP in both leagues.”
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
KEVIN K says:
wow @ all you IDIOTS bashing on AI
1. For you saying Timmeh comming off the bench… he played MORE THAN 17 MIN A GAME and AI was clearing complaining about MIN played. Don’t compare this to “MANU” because he comes off the bench but plays starter minutes.
2. Do you think guys like KOBE, WADE, LBJ, and any other players that has AI’s caliber, would come to a new team, won’t get his Number, come off the bench, and play 18 min a game????????????????????
3. AI although not his old self is still light years better than RIP, Stuckey, and Bynum. For you guys that ball, wouldn’t you be upset when guys who are clearly inferior to you are playing more minutes?
4. Insult to injury, Detroit is still losing. AI is not the cancer to the team. It’s Rasheed. A center that shoots 43% and jacks 5 3s a game who doesn’t rebound…
5. Michael Curry is an idiot.
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
hahns says:
dime- you guys are WAY biased.
“That doesn’t mean that AI is being a baby, though. This dude cares so much about playing his best and winning, he’s worked himself into a dither.”
as an undersized scoring guard myself, i love AI. But at some point you gota draw the line. hes being a B by complaining about coming off the bench so much.
everyone wants to start- sure, hes had a lota success starting, but it hasnt been creating W’s for the team. so get over yourself and sit your ass down
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Ursher says:
Iverson said he would rather retire than coming off the bench AND not being effective. not just coming off the bench, read the whole quote.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
tim says:
To me, the comments made aren’t so much about him being a selfish biatch, which i feel he is, but about him disrpecting every member of the Pistons organization,from the late Bill Davidson to Joe D, even including the fans. I say they just buy him out and say go screw yourself, but that won’t happen. Iverson’s nickname The Answer should be replaced with The Problem.
And what team is gonna sign him to stink up there team? I’d rather have Will Bynum then Allen Iverson…
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
will says:
tim ur an idiot lol will bynum loloololol i’ll take the overall #1 pick in a draft with kobe ray allen marbury steve nash just 2 name a few be4 i take a 2nd round journeyman lol will bynum you shouldnt be allowed on this page with comments like that. whats wrong tim is allen to much of a thug for u or something lol
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
quest says:
fuck all of u haters, yall probably would be saying the same shit or even worse. The pistons suck, they are still on chauncey’s dick and michael curry is the worst coach in the league.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
tim says:
oh and he’s only come off the bench 3 games, how had he even tried to adjust to it or know if he can play that way?
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
quest says:
plus the pistons are still losing, with or without him
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
will says:
will bynum lolololololo tim ur an idiot id take the #1 overall pick in the 1996 draft which consisted of kobe ray allen marbury steve nash just 2 name a few tim u shouldnt be allowed on this site with comments like that awful
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:01 pm
tim says:
let me clarify before you tear in to me for defensing a player who is clearly past his prime and doesn’t fit into the Pistons scheme…Will Bynum fits THIS TEAM better right now…I never meant he was the better player, although he has been this season…just a better fit to play more minutes on the team.
And even if Bynum is the inferior player…he’s earned his minutes and plays well in the time he gets…he doesn’t try to jack up miracles and pass off to people only when he can’t get his own shot off…
That’s the problem with everyone defending AI, people always talk about what he’s done before over what he’s doing now…
…and right now he’s being a whiny bitch who is playing terrible. It also doesn’t help when you make hypocritical comments every few days.
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Ian says:
nobs
“and when he move to the man in washington he became that great player we used to be. have anybody thought of that.”
really i think i missed those games were jordan was the jordan we knew from the bulls how many times did he carry the team to the playoffs??? yeah sure same jordan.
will
wats up with all those LOLs every 2 words it seems like u tryin to hard to bash the other comments man and u only use ppgs to make an argument i can mention at least 12 sgs that can avg that gunning for a bad team and way more effective and of that list that u laughed at only tj sucks that others were or are stars.
walton and duncan came off the bench and timmeh sits outs back to backs sometimes why cant iverson who isnt as great as duncan?
kevin k
1 yeah but manu never complains even if he avged 10mns
2 those players are better than ai and not in the downfall of their careers if they did it when they get old id call them selfish also.
3 depends on the situation of the team
4 they won in 04 with that overrated center
5 duh
quest sorry man
what was detroits winning percentage with billups this season?
April 2nd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
doc says:
Detroit was 4-1 with Chauncey.
April 2nd, 2009 at 6:24 pm
tony says:
how can someone who is avg 10 points less than his career avg be selfish? the pistons have been slipping since 2005. they were just fortunate to be as successful come playoff time. they got waded lebroned & celticed out of the playoffs the last 3 yrs & most likely 4 had wade not gotten hurt in 05. they have no post players, a first yr starting pg and one of the dumbest coaches in the history of basketball & thats why they suck not iverson he was 3rd in the league last yr in scoring while avg 7 ast last yr. he didnt fall off. just wait til november
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
AY says:
I look at the Suns last year and the Pistons this year, they’re in the same exact position. If you sit Shaq/Iverson, you’re going to go to your old style and the rest of the guys on the team will play better and you get a few more wins, but you’re wasting this special piece because he is one of the few proven effective pieces. Fast forward to this year, the Suns figured out how to use Shaq in their system, too bad they’re still out of the playoffs because Shaq isn’t what he used to be. Same here with Iverson; you can spend another year to figure out how to use him, you’ll only find out that he’s still awesome in his own way, but more of a “still very effective” awesome than the ankle-breaker awesome. He should just go to phoenix and see what happens there.
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:17 pm
the cynic says:
i respect iverson for being honest and not spewing a bunch of bull like most players, but its pretty obvious iverson has to be the STAR to be successful; he just doesn’t bring anything else to the table and he never will. I will remember The Answer as one of the greatest scorers I was lucky enough to watch play basketball; R.I.P
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:39 pm
+big MIKE+ H TOWN'S FINEST says:
I have to agree with #13. If I wasn’t at work, that’s what I would’ve said. The Pistons probably would have sucked if Chauncey would have been here. They’re old, have no size, and don’t play up to their ability (see Rasheed Wallace). Iverson might have been selfish for wanting to get a chance to contribute more than what he is but aren’t the other guys just as selfish for not even attempting to play w/ him? He’s one of the most dominant scorers in the history of basketball. Yeah he’s old but shit everyone gets old (see M.j., Vince Carter, T Mac, Shaq, etc. etc.). He deserves a little more benefit of the doubt than what he’s getting. In all likelihood, had they really tried to figure out a way to play w/ him, they would be a very dangerous team (at least) in the playoffs. Just saying. All this fucking hate is rediculous.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Buffalo Brave says:
Here’s the truth:
Dumars FUCKED the players on that team by blindsiding them with the trade and they REBELLED!
They NEVER accepted or tried to work with and win with AI and they QUIT!
Not AI, the players that were already there.
This falls squarely on Dumars for sacrificing that team and their accomplishments for salary cap space HOPING they could sign a top free agent NEXT summer?
LOL
I dont see any vet wanting to go there after him ass fucking his team like he did.
You dont trade the team leader (and finals mvp btw) for salary cap space after signing his backcourt mate to a less than market value contract.
Did anyone mention that Curry is a got damn IDIOT and is NOT built to be an NBA coach?
FAIL
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:30 am
QQ says:
I’m back.
Wow. Yall trippin. Let’s see all you defending this selfish asshole next season, when he’s on you team, whining about playing time and shredding your squad into pieces. LOL
Then Im gonna smile and say… ‘I fucking told you so’.
The Q.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:06 am
CLUTCH says:
This is why IVerson has never and will never win anything, he just has never been a team player.
And earlier this year the whole tlak about was how the pistons needed to brin AI off the bench becuase he just doesn’t work in any offensive system where he can’t be the be all and end all on every play. Why? Becuase he is immature
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 am
money says:
AI is THE BEST nba player EVER, pound for pound. He’s carried his teams through thick and thin, and ai will go down as one of the game’s greatest. isiah thomas is not the best little man, ai is.
Give AI respect where respect is due. Yes, he could be more humble about going to the bench. NO he does not deserve to be on the bench. the guy is still a perennial player and could put up 25 points and 7 dimes 2 steals on most other teams. It’s like benching Tim Duncan. Doesn’t make sense.
And also, where was the respect for AI when he accepted his diminished role behind melo in denver? nobody talked about ai’s effort to blend in as the clear #2 to melo.
STOP HATING ON AI
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 am
alex says:
I HATE AI.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:51 am
QQ says:
LOL @ post 85.
@ post 84:
I ALSO HATE AI. AND I WON’T STOP.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:17 am
Sanpitch says:
@85
please tell me you are joking.
ai averaged 19 shot attempts while in denver. melo averaged about the same. i don’t know too many second fiddles that are jacking it up 19-20 times a night.
ai will never be a second fiddle ’cause his ego is too damn big.
that pound for pound argument is the weakest thing out there. you don’t get into the hall or put a ring on your finger for being “pound for pound” the best. your either the best or you are not. he clearly is not.
you must not have heard the argument between van gundy and mark jackson during an nba game last year when jackson said the same thing. van gundy tore him up.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
nobs6669 says:
does anyone here remember what dumars say about the reason he traded billups for iverson. he wants a superstaar quality player that they don’t have the past year. but what hapend.the coaching stop didn’t utilize the talent that iverson has. remember all the great wins they have this season. check the games and you would see that most of the wins a.i. was simply great check the game where they give the lakers thier first lost of the season. and check games where a.i. doesn’t play well. you would notice that he is not part of their game plan even though he is on the court
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
nobs6669 says:
lan
have you remember jordan playing in washington where he use to be the 6 man. that team sucks. then at the middle of the season they decide that michael should be the man. and they blossom together with michael putting up great numbers at his age. but the sad thing is they didnt made the playoff. i’m not comparing iverson to jordan. but with the talent they both have. they wouldn’t be effective as a 6 man.
dumars is a great executive he knows what he have done when he acquire iverson. but the sad thing is his coaches doesn’t know what dumars has envision about it. he should start telling his coaches the reason why he get iverson. to be the superstar of this team just for a year until his contract ended
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Ian says:
nobs man washington was a bad team and jordan was a 6th man till he warmed up not because it was good for the team and good for the team jordan started to get fans in the sits. the team was going to suck anyways and if they didnt make the playoffs it was a failed experiment but thats just me if u think that putting up numbers and the team losing is ok then we look at things differently.
post 85 better than isiah lol 2 time champ hell no not even close
November 25th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Olivier says:
I don’t think he’s being a baby. He’s allowed to feel however he wants.
November 25th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Sannisha says:
Unbelivable? How can people say heinous things about Allen Iverson, one of the most talented Basketball Players in the industry. For someone or many to have so much pride to disrespect his decesion is ridiculous. It is viable for any basketball player to say they want to retire at any moment of their life and theres been players who have condisered it but when Allen Iverson actaully comes to a summutation, than its a big deal. Why? They say hes only doing it for him self. Really? Hes been suffering from his last incident he had which only makes it harder for him to put a 100 in the game like he always does okay I can say one thing that Allen iverson does ,he hogs the ball but he has the right to he getter done . So therfore every team memeber wants to win he contributes to it period. Every person Sahas their own opinion but thats mine. Hes not being selfish. Hes getting older and with him being injured if he were to to sign with another team he just wouldnt start. Its time for people to realize hes doing it because his injury. It is going to effect him and the team in the long term and wont do nothing but hurt him in the long run. Now you tell me thats selfish?