Let's keep the memory of Allen Iverson as just that, a memory.
Allen Iverson was one of the most electrifying players to ever play in this city. His time has passed. That's not a bad thing.
Let's keep the memory of Allen Iverson as just that, a memory.
Bob Cooney
There is no denying that on December 7th, 2009 the Wells Fargo Center had as much electricity running through the stands as it has at any time since, maybe more. That includes the Game 6 win that propelled the Sixers past the Chicago Bulls and into the second round of the playoffs last season. It also the Game 6 win over the Boston Celtics that tied the series at 3 games apiece and inched the Sixers towards an improbable chance at playing in the Eastern Conference final (they didn’t, of course, as they fell to the Celtics in Boston).
When the Sixers played their 21st game of the season that year, the next to last starter introduced was Allen Iverson, back to the team where he spent 10-plus electrifying seasons. The crowd greeted him with a hero’s welcome as the then-34 year-old returned not as a marketing ploy but as a player the organization thought could help a floundering team.
He couldn’t. And he most certainly can’t now.
Iverson was great in his time here, but the 25 games he played under Eddie Jordan in 2009-10 only proved what many still don’t want to believe – that even the greatest and most exciting players to ever run the court get beat by that common foe, time.
While he was (probably unfairly) thrust into the starting lineup by Jordan and asked to play more than 30 minutes a game, it was painfully obvious that Iverson was a shadow of the player that he used to be. Not that the Sixers were looking for him at that time in his career to be the player he was, but just having him available on a nightly basis was in doubt. He played the first 5 games of his comeback, all more than 30 minutes and averaged almost 16 points a game. But then knee troubles shelved him for a couple of weeks, and knee drainings became more common than Iverson sightings on the court.
Then, in about a month span, Iverson played in 17 games, highlighted by a 23 point effort against the visiting Los Angeles Lakers. He went head-to-head against Kobe Bryant, and both electrified the sellout crowd. Bryant scored 17 in the third quarter and scored 13 in row for the Lakers at one point spanning the third and fourth quarters. Iverson had 15 in the third, including 11 straight. As much as it was the type of exhibition the fans yearned for, it was obvious to me that Iverson’s time was coming to an end.
I remember when the quarter was over, Bryant had a look on his face like that of a boxer who had just shared punches with an opponent and hadn’t gotten hurt a little bit. Iverson, on the other hand, seemed to use every ounce of energy he had remaining in that small body, slowly walking to the Sixers bench when the horn sounded. I wrote down in my notebook how easily Bryant scored his points and how Iverson’s counter seemed to be so draining.
Two nights later, Iverson looked pedestrian on the court for 30 minutes against the Nets, taking just nine shots, missing six of them. After that game, he was out again for more than two weeks, with his knee again troubling him and rumblings of a medical problem hindering one of his children.
He played just three more games for the Sixers, making only 7 of his 28 shots, looking even slower while practically dragging his injured knee along with him. My feeling and hope at the time was that he should wave goodbye, thank the Philadelphia fans for their undying admiration and somehow accept the fact that his body would no long allow him be the player he expected himself to be.
Like many athletes, Iverson has had a hard time coming to grips with that, with a quick run in Turkey and now the latest talk of joining the Dallas Mavericks’ NBADL affiliate (Iverson has declined). That has, once again, stirred talk of Iverson coming back to the Sixers as perhaps a reserve on Doug Collins’ bench or maybe in another position with the team.
I’m not sure what type of position Adam Aron and company could give to Iverson in the front office, though many have emailed me that he could be an “after game consultant”, complete with a free shuttle to Friday’s. If the owners want to try and bring him back in the organization in some capacity, that’s their choice.
But if even a passing thought of returning him as a player has crossed anyone’s mind, it needs to be erased quickly. There is no good that could come out of it, either for Iverson or the organization. Let’s remember Iverson for what he was – one of the most electrifying players this basketball-rich city has ever seen – and leave it at that.
ALLEN WHO?— bkflyers10- The ulitmate selfish person.— 4thand10
- This comment has been deleted.— robwood
- My goodness, why dont you just change your screen name to "imjusthidingthefactthatimracistbycallingmyselfrobwood" — hawaiiphillyfan
- punk— justacarpenter
- Loved him as a player his first few years. Didn't care for his immaturity off the court. I can't remember anybody other than Moses Malone with Houston carrying a worse team to the NBA finals.
I hope he straightens out his life and finds happiness.— E-money - Your "commenters" certainly weren't among the crowd who gave AI a big ovation on his first return as a Denver player (the Sixers squeaked out a victory). Of course he is past playing, especially on a young team like this one, but he was a great star for us and if they can make a spot for him (coaching offense?), I say great. How's that, Haters?— jiminy cricket
- Bring him back as defensive coach. He was great at stealing. Oh, I forgot, that was back in high school.— baabyrrej
- Memory ??? More like a nightmare . Coaching ? COACHING ??? Why would you want a cancer around 24/7 ???? Excuse me ...... I must get some Pepto Bismol .— jeromie
- Hey AI, if you were sincere in really wanting to play the game, and not just trying to collect a NBA paycheck, why turn down a D-league offer? That would be the right way to make your way back instead of talking a good talk.
Sadly, had AI ever learned how to play point guard, he could still be in the league. Unfortunately, the market for a slow 5'10 shooting guard that shoots under 40% and plays no defense while acting like an entitled diva has dried up a bit. Sorry AI, but you reap what you sow.— mike - Many of you may not like who he was off the court, and that's OK. But NOBODY on here can ever deny what thay guy gave to this city on the court. And for this, he get's spit on time and time again by many of you ungrateful fans. Especially "robwood", further up.— hawaiiphillyfan
- AI always gave it his all on the court. He was amazing more often than not. And his game was extraoardinarily exciting to watch when it went right.
But please do not give him any sort of a job with the 76ers organization other than brnging out the game ball once or twice per year. The most pathetic thing would be if he really needs money, after all the millions that he "earned" (in my opinion noone should earn that much money -- noone). It was sad when poorly educated boxers would be taken advantage of by the the Don Kings of that world. There is noone but Iverson to blame if he pissed all of his $$$ away.
To all the racist posters, look in the mirror. Do you like what you see?? I seriously do not understand racist thinking. It's extremely disturbing, especially in a country that has done so much harm via racism throughout its entire history.— EagleWatcher - I loved watching the guy play, and loved the effort he gave me as a paying fan. I know he had his problems in his personal life and I remember that sad but funny "we talkin' practice" press conference, but for my money as a paying fan, I had and still have no complaints.
All I know is, for all his detractors want to say bad abuto him, we haven't enjoyed ourselves that much down at the Center since the man left the first time.— advantasux - For a prorated veteran minimum, he could be useful in an "empty your bucket and score 10 points in 10 minutes while selling an extra 500 seats a night" capacity.— Santa Satan
- Maybe he needs to practice.— lostInPhilly
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
