The Red Letter Days of Allen Iverson

Analyst Written on July 05, 2009

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 13: Allen Iverson #1 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates in the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game on November 13, 2008 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Allen Iverson has always defied convention. He seems to always be front page news starting with high school. When he got to the pros, his trademark braids and hip-hop clothing became hot topics.

Iverson spent his first eleven years in the league as a Philadelphia 76er. He has career averages of 27 PPG, 6 assists, and 2 steals. His talent warrants that others allow him to display his offensive skills. Anything less, will see him talk about practice as if it is a minor annoyance or baby an injury.

Allen has taken his team to the NBA Finals one time and managed to win only one game. Paired with Carmelo Anthony in Denver, he proceeded to continue to do things his way. Denver could never make it out of the second round even with his scoring prowess.

Three years into his tenure there, Denver traded him to Detroit for hometown hero Chauncey Billups. Why not? Dumars had always coveted Iverson and he essentially got him as a one year rental.

The Iverson experiment didn't even make it through the season and Billups took Denver to the Western Conference Finals. Detroit ended up suspending Iverson and firing head coach Michael Curry in the off-season. Joe Dumars decided to take his salary cap-room and spend it elsewhere. Iverson was allowed to go into free agency.

NBA general managers have not even made a token jester to Iverson inspite of his credentials. If he couldn't get along with a classy guy like Dumars, then he had been black-balled.

Rumour has it that Allen has interest in the Memphis Grizzlies. If he wants to show the young Grizz, how to play for themselves he will do it. If Chris Wallace just wants to draw fans then he will do it.

Memphis may be the perfect team for Iverson and his fall from NBA grace could have changed his perspective. He could be a great mentor for Mike Conley Jr. He can take on the challenge to lead instead of demanding to be followed.

Iverson still averages double figures, and can teach the young Memphis team how to win. Deep down he knows his a winner, a winner that has been humbled and a Hall of Fame player. He can help them win games at home until they learn how to win on the road.

He has a choice to reinvent himself; to reshape a career that calls for him to be center stage.

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written on July 05, 2009 Opinion

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