We're Talking about the Mid-Level Exception? How Silly Is That?

At a recent press conference at his scholarship program, Allen Iverson acknowledged a couple obvious facts: First, that he has to prove himself all over again. And, secondly—it's not fair.

People may argue with the latter statement, but if open minds prevail, most will realize this truth.

26.4 ppg/7.1 apg/46 fg percentage.

No, that isn't a stat line from Iverson's Philly days.  In fact, he's only a calendar year and a half removed from putting up those numbers for the powder blue and white, but you would've never guessed it from the way people are talking about him now.  He's closer to a poor man's Stephon Marbury if you go by popular opinion.

It's very much en vogue to call him majestically clever names like "The Canswer", or cry "He's washed up!", or lament about the impossibility of victory with his playing style.  Pick and choose as you like; they are all fun options these days!

Chauncey Billups has never been this appreciated and I'm not saying he doesn't deserve the sentiments—he's a great point guard and one that was perfect for Denver's situation of undisciplined, yet unmistakable talent.  I'm just a tad perturbed at the backhanded AI-jab for every compliment paid his way—that's all.

But why does all this even matter now? It's not as if Iverson's never been doubted, never been wrongly labeled or judged without probable cause. Nope, the man has been through all that on countless occasions. 

It matters now because Allen Iverson, at this stage in the offseason, still does not have a job.

No one seems to want this guy and the teams that have shown a morsel of interest, have offered at the very most, a Mid-level Exception contract. For the former-MVP who is only a year and a half removed from 26 points and seven assists a game, the best he's looking at right now is the MLE and that disturbs me.

It disturbs me, not because I worry about AI struggling to put food on the table, but because of the irrationality behind this entire mess of a situation. 

Simply put, it was because of a bad trade made by Detroit GM Joe Dumars, who replaced the floor general of a team that thrived on a balanced attack with a great scorer who is most successful with the offense structured around him. 

Well, after such a trade, one would assume that the Pistons offense would change in such a way that would play to their new acquisition's strengths. Instead, they told Iverson to be like Billups.  What a shocker—it didn't work.

It was pretty ugly and some of the blame can rightfully be put on Iverson. But I have pity for those who think that last year's play was a reflection of what Allen Iverson has left in the tank.

I'll be sorry for those who write him off as "finished" because they fail to understand what truly went wrong last season for both him and the Pistons. 

Most of all, I will definitely share a laugh at the expense of all the GM's who wouldn't even give AI a look this offseason when he puts up 26 and seven again next year.  Not even a mid-level exception? How silly is that?