Pivot Points: Adding Perspective to the A.I. Debate

This NBA offseason has provided many memorable moments and many conversation starters for fans. None of the news has been as controversial as Allen Iverson's move to Memphis.

On this very website, the pros and cons of the move have been inspiration for a heated and spirited debate.

His career has been dissected, and many intelligent arguments have been made about how Iverson can help Memphis, or how he can ruin them.

Iverson is a true cult figure in the NBA, and his fans are loyal and dedicated. Iverson's grit, determination, and gutty performances have earned him the hearts of fans all over the world.

There are some things that should be noted when discussing Iverson, and his history and relationships give a clearer picture of who he is.

Allen no doubt has had a troubled past. He was an All-American quarterback, and basketball player, who was one of the more talented athletes to come out of the Hampton Roads area.

His troubles began in a well-publicized brawl that took place inside a Virginia bowling alley. Iverson was accused of throwing a chair and striking a girl with it.

Two things are clear from the video: Iverson is in the brawl, and there is absolutely no evidence that he threw the chair. In a case of a recognizable instance of an example being made, Iverson was actually sentenced to jail time.

His incarceration was biased and unprecedented, and luckily a court overturned his sentence and Iverson was released.

He went to play for John Thompson and that's where Iverson's maturation process starts. Thompson was known as a tough coach who loved his players.

He and Iverson formed a mutual bond and through Thompson's guidance Allen went on to be one of the better players in Georgetown's history.

Thompson was a mentor to Iverson and it is well documented about the active role he played in Allen's life. Iverson has said that Thompson was a role model and the best coach that he has ever had.

When he was drafted by The Sixers he went to play for another no-nonsense coach in Larry Brown. The differences that Iverson and Brown had about certain things were real and in most cases humorous.

One thing that can't be denied is that they had a mutual respect for each other and they were winners while they were together.

The common thread in Thompson and Brown is that they were both experienced coaches with an edge, whose respect they earned from Iverson.

If you look at the other coaches that Iverson played for, George Karl and Michael Curry, it's hard to picture Iverson going to battle with them.

Most of Karl's other players don't really respect him, and no one in Detroit wanted to play for Curry.

This makes me wonder about new coach, Lionel Hollins. I'm not that familiar with Hollins, but he doesn't seem to have the pedigree that Thompson and Brown have.

Iverson's skills may very well still be intact. He's 34, but he didn't play much last season so he should be well rested. There's no doubt that he can still probably light up the league.

It's a fact that Iverson's most successful years have been under coaches in which he shared a bond and mutual respect.

My question would be, can he co-exist with another untested coach, and an extremely young team to boot? That will be an interesting revelation.