Allen Iverson Hasn't Lost a Step, Just Ask David Stern.

Out of all the people in the world you would never think David Stern would be the one to say Allen iverson has a lot left in the tank. But he is absolutely right.

David Stern saw that the AI he handed all those MVP awards to was not the AI he saw this year. Michael Curry is fired and maybe one of the reasons this did not work out was because AI played a career low 27 mpg and took a career low 14 shots.

You don't see that kind of sacrifice from a guy who is arguably one of the 25 greatest players in NBA history and easily one of the top five greatest scorers in history.

But Allen Iverson is one of the most hated players in sports. If Lebron James did that it would be considered sacraficing, because people would look at mpg and shots per game before the averages. If it was Kobe they would also say he lost a step.

Allen hasn't had such a good rep and that is one of the reasons people think he has lost a step. That's what people who hate AI's style bash on him for. These are also the same people who also said Ivey needs to take less shots and play less minutes throughout his illustrious career.

Well most people that know basketball know that AI is still a top 20 player in the league on almost 25 of the 30 teams. Last year before being put on the bench, Iverson was arguably a top four shooting guard in the east. He was averaging around 18.5 ppg and six apg and was an All-Star. These numbers are still hard to get in the situation he was in.

The two shooting guards I would say were better than AI at All-Star break are Joe Johnson and D Wade, both guys who get their shots and are used well and get to play good minutes. Well the boss has spoken and he thinks AI has a lot left in the tank. Stern said the following after AI signed:

David Stern said Thursday that the Grizzlies were "lucky" to get Allen Iverson and that he will be a great fit with Zach Randolph and the youngsters.

"I think they got lucky," Stern said. "A bona-fide star and future Hall of Famer who still has lots of game left is going to prove to be a significant and helpful addition to the Grizzlies."

Yes, David Stern did say that and don't be fooled by what Detroit did to AI. If AI gets to be AI next season, and coach Lionell Hollins uses him well, the people that think Iverson is no longer an elite player may just have to eat their words!