It’s been an Allen Iverson week here at Dime. In fact, the only basketball-related news that has been able to cut a swath through all thing Jeremy Lin was this Valentine’s Day piece on the sad state of Allen Iverson‘s significant fortune.

Shortly after posting that A.I. piece, we were introduced to this track from Memphis’ Don Trip called “Allen Iverson.” The Cool & Dre-produced song takes audio clips from A.I.’s “Practice” press conference and other interviews and wraps them around Don Trip’s verses. Check it out after the jump: Read More »

As an unabashed Allen Iverson fan, this news truly hurts my heart. It’s long been rumored that A.I.’s finances are a total mess (and/or non-existant), but when word came out last week that a judge ordered that Iverson’s bank account can be commandeered to pay off a $860,000 jewelry tab, what we all suspected became sickeningly real.

It’s now being rumored that his financial distress goes way beyond that jewelry account. Way, way, way beyond. Read More »

Monta Ellis is without a doubt one of my favorite players to watch play ball. The guy is incredible. When rumors were surfacing last year that my Sixers were in talks to potentially deal Andre Iguodala for Ellis, despite the fact that I’m supporter of Iguodala, I was all about it. The idea of bringing in the best scorer in Philly since an Allen Iverson-in-his-prime to drastically change our sputtering offense had me fired up.

There are plenty of guys in the NBA who can score, but there are few players in the world who can do it like Ellis does. The guy is so fast, so explosive, so single-minded in his attack mode – he’s one of those guys who was put on this planet solely to get buckets. The show he put on against the Oklahoma City Thunder last night was just incredible. Read More »

Andre Iguodala was unbelievable last night against the Chicago Bulls. He had 19 and nine in a 16-point W over Derrick Rose & Co., but that doesn’t begin to tell the whole story.

Philly mauled Chicago, swarming them on defense at every turn, and Iguodala led the way. In all of my years of watching pretty much every game he has ever played in Philly, I’m having trouble recalling many games where Iguodala was this good – he was loose and having fun, doing whatever he wanted to, whenever he wanted to do it.

This clip pretty much sums up the whole game. Read More »

One of the most amazing/mind-boggling/semi-ridiculous aspects of the Sixers‘ resurgence is the fact that Spencer Hawes has arguably been our best, most consistent player.

This is not an exaggeration.

In his second season with the Sixers, he’s averaging 12.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, almost two blocks per game, and is shooting more than 62% from the floor even though he takes a lot of 15-footers. He’s been aggressive on both ends of the floor, he’s hustling his ass off and is playing with a bizarre sense of self-confidence. Spencer’s play has been nothing short of a revelation, especially coming off a season in Philly where he did zero.

So where did this come from? Read More »

It’s been well-known that the Sixers and Grizzlies have been talking about a deal involving Philly big man Marreese Speights going back to last year. Now, pushed along by the Memphis injury caravan, it is being reported by ESPN.com’s Marc Stein that a three-way deal involving the Sixers, Grizzlies and New Orleans Hornets has been agreed upon. Read More »

Last night, I watched my Sixers maul the worst Phoenix Suns team in recent memory. They’re just awful. Poor Steve Nash – after abusing Jrue Holiday the first handful of times down the court, disappeared into one of the least-effective performances of his career (four points on 2-11 shooting, one assist, six turnovers in 17 minutes).

Much of that can be blamed on a rotten supporting cast. Help is (sort of) on the way though, as the Suns just signed Michael Redd to a one-season free agent deal. Read More »

It may only be preseason, but JaVale McGee and his game and antics are in mid-season form. The Sixers handled the Wizards in Philly last night, but JaVale was a real bright spot for the Wiz.

McGee looked great last night, going for 20 points, nine boards, three steals, two blocks and one vicious dunk on Sixers’ rookie Nikola Vucevic. Check out the dunk below, as well as JaVale’s extended stare-down of the rookie, who can do nothing but keep his head down and walk away: Read More »

We mentioned it in today’s Smack, but it deserves it’s own look here: In last night’s preseason Wizards/Sixers game, near the end of the third quarter, John Wall dusted Evan Turner with a crossover and then unleashed hell on Craig Brackens.
Read More »

December 7th is a day to remember the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, one of the most horrific tragedies ever inflicted upon our country. It is a day for reflection, not only for the men and women who lost their lives that day, but also for the many, many thousands who served and sacrificed for our country in the years following that attack in effort to save the world.

To the basketball community, December 7th has also come to represent something else over the decades. Today is a date that many in the basketball universe hold dear: On this day we observe the birthday of The Legend. Read More »