How Allen Iverson Saved This Year's Philadelphia 76ers

With all the negativity surrounding Allen Iverson based on his recent All-Star Game berth, I thought I'd take the road less recently traveled and heap some well-deserved praise upon the Sixers' only All-Star.

I'm not here to argue whether or not Iverson should be an All-Star this year.  Have that argument with your colleagues at your office water cooler.

Instead, I'm here to argue that Iverson's greatest effect on this year's Sixers team has been completely psychological.  

Iverson's presence gives the rest of the team the belief that they're talented enough to beat any other NBA team on any given night.  And that's something this team was desperately missing in the early stages of the season.

I'm not one to pretend that I've got an inside source within the Sixers' locker room telling me about Iverson's effect on the team.  But I do come armed with a few effusive quotes from Coach Eddie Jordan and the rest of the team. 

First, it's easy enough to rule out offensive production as Iverson's greatest contribution to the team.  This year, A.I. is averaging career-lows in points (14.7), shot attempts (11.6), assists (4.3), steals (0.7), and minutes (32.8).

That's not to say he hasn't become a valuable member of the Sixers' offense; in fact, the Philadelphia Daily News credited Iverson "with an assist" for the revival of Samuel Dalembert.  

While a number of his statistics are down, Iverson's decision-making and emphasis on teamwork have been at an all-time high.

And let's not forget the respect that opposing defenses must pay Iverson, even if he's only to serve as a decoy.

After the Sixers' win over the Portland Trailblazers on Dec. 28, Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News wrote, "(Elton) Brand was quick to point out how much the addition of Allen Iverson has benefited him and other inside players, noting that defenses pay so much attention to Iverson, it opens things up for other players."

Lou Williams, one of Iverson's former starting lineup running mates, was quick to shower the same praise upon Iverson two weeks later.

"It's been fun; it's hard for teams to guard us," Williams said of his backcourt mate in a Daily News article from Jan. 8. "Teams have a hard time guarding it. For me, it's been a dream come true. It's been a huge pleasure to be out there on the court with him, trying to win games. Being in those struggles, playing hard with him, and being out there with that caliber of player has been fun for me."

In fact, one of Iverson's former teammates acknowledged Iverson's in-game effect the week he returned.

"It opened up things for me a little bit more," backcourt mate Andre Iguodala said in December, once Iverson returned.  "There's not as much focus on me, so I see a lot of openings. It makes it a little bit easier. He brings the whole aura to the game."

Ah. "The whole aura." That's what I'm talking about.

While none of the players will ever come out and say it outright during the season, the Sixers nearly lost their mojo earlier this season, to steal a phrase from Austin Powers.

This was a team in the midst of an eight-game losing streak when Iverson played his first game as a Sixer. (It swelled to 12 before finally being broken against Golden State.)

The team was struggling with Jordan's Princeton offense (which has since been scrapped upon Iverson's return), and lacked a late-game, go-to scorer.

Enter Allen Iverson.

Iverson's presence on the court and around the locker room gave this team a certain swagger they didn't have before his arrival. While that swagger didn't initially translate into wins, there's no denying that the Sixers have been winning considerably more games lately with Iverson featured prominently in the starting lineup.

Just after the Sixers' upset win over Dallas this past Friday, Jordan showered praise upon Iverson and hinted at his true effect on the team.

This came from Kate Fagan's (Philadelphia Inquirer) Deep Sixer blog: "After the game, Jordan also raved about Allen Iverson, saying he's the heart and soul and the spirit of this team. Jordan also said he's been waiting for a long time to coach a guy like Iverson."

The next night, after beating Indiana to score only one of four back-to-back wins for Philly this season, Jordan continued the Iverson love.

"He means a lot more than his numbers," Philadelphia coach Eddie Jordan said. "His spirit gives us momentum, his spirit gives us confidence, it gives us a sounding board, it gives us a calming effect. He means a lot."

"He's special to us. He's not the Allen we used to know back in 2001, but he adds leadership, toughness, and some experience."

That Iverson's "spirit gives (the Sixers) confidence, a sounding board, a calming effect" means everything to the Sixers this year, a team formerly lacking a commanding presence in the locker room.

So before you go back to bashing Iverson for stealing Rajon Rondo's All-Star spot, remember that while his statistics may be down, Iverson has had an All-Star effect this year—just not in the way you're used to seeing from one of the NBA's most prolific scorers.

And personally?  I like this year's A.I. more than ever.