NBA Lottery: Why the Lakers Should Give Allen Iverson a Chance

His place in the Hall of Fame has long been assured.  For over a decade, Allen Iverson dominated opposing guards in the NBA, amassing a single MVP trophy, 4 NBA scoring titles, 11 NBA All-Star appearances, among other accolades.

In 2008, ESPN placed him fifth on its list of NBA's greatest shooting guards.  His regular season scoring average of 26.7 ppg places him sixth all-time, while his playoff average of 29.7 comes second only to His Airness, Michael Jordan.  

Coming on two years to the date of his retirement from NBA basketball to tend to his 4-year-old Messiah's health issues; Iverson, if reports are to be believed, is broke, and desperate for a second chance at the NBA.  

NBA teams however have shown little interest in providing Iverson with a last hurrah, and for good reason.  Iverson has never been and will not be the mentoring type.  Case and point, Andre Iguodala only established himself after Iverson left. 

The Grizzles are suspected, on the other hand, to have been disillusioned by Iverson’s disregard for coming off the bench, which they perceived as selfish.  They terminated his contract after only three games.

So why take a chance on a 36-year-old that has a reputation for being difficult?  The Lakers are built to win now, with this year serving as Kobe and co.’s last chance of making a legitimate run for the title. 

For the time being, we’ll ignore the mouthwatering prospects of what a blockbuster trade for Dwight Howard will entail.  The truth of the matter is, with a squad age average of 29.48, the Lakers are third oldest team in the NBA. 

Derek Fisher has long ago served his purpose for the Lakers.  The stats don’t lie, in the 29 games he’s featured in this season he’s only averaged 5.7 ppg. 

Some might contend Fisher’s game never relied on points with his career average standing at a mere 8.7 ppg, but yet having five rings to show for it.  I counter that those Laker teams didn’t require points from Fisher. 

The 2012 edition are however, in desperate need of a fourth scoring option; currently heavily relying on Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum. 

Even at 36, Iverson will provide points, that has been the one constant in his glittering career.  Kobe is capable of subduing and conversely channeling Iverson’s difficult personality to the team’s benefit. 

Ron Artest could once claim to be one of the baddest men on the planet but we now refer to him as Metta World Peace.

The Lakers, as one my colleagues suggested, maybe desperate for entertaining Iverson.  But Iverson is a much more appetizing prospect then what Lakers currently have.   

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