Oh Lord! Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

The man affectionately known as the "Answer” goes by a new nickname now, the "Cancer". For those who haven't quite figured it out, the man I am writing about is Allen Iverson, who is in my opinion, the best scorer to ever play the game. Allen used to be the most popular player in the NBA, but nowadays, he is just viewed as a castoff, a ticket seller, gone are the days where people can appreciate his lightning crossover, his stepback fadeaways, and his unbridled passion for the game. “

Nowadays we like to celebrate the conformist athletes, the Chris Paul's, Steve Nash's of the NBA, guys who although are excellent athletes in their own right, have never had the controversy, and drama to add to their on court genius. Iverson is of a rare breed, a player that has overcome more obstacles and temptations than most athletes of his time. From the assault trial he had to go through when he was 17, to the recent blow-up with his Grizzlies team; he has provided as much off-court drama, as the magic he produces on it, maybe even more.

Iverson, is in a new environment, as a free agent, who just got waived by one of the worst teams in the league, is struggling to find a team willing to give him a chance. As if that isn't enough, people are now on his back to retire, saying that he is “washed up”, and “over the hill”. Iverson has recently turned 34, pretty much a basketball player’s twilight years. Let me tell you this, Iverson may be getting older, but he has not lost a step, his average over the last five seasons is 27 points per game, right around his career average, he is still a 30 point guy, and if you don’t respect him, he can still drop 50 on your head; so why hasn’t he been able to find a team? His previous coach Larry Brown has gushed about him in recent interviews, Sports Analysts keep saying he hasn’t lost anything, so what is the real problem?

Allen’s inability to draw suitors is by far his fault alone; sure the “practice” rant damaged his rep. But all his teammates have always said what a good guy he is, and how committed he is to the team. The reason Allen can’t find a team is the fault of his short stint with the Pistons. His trade for Billups was one of the marquee trades of last season, and the media made it seem like Detroit got robbed, but Detroit was struggling before the season started, and the core group was beginning to crack, it was almost unfair for Iverson, as he was going into an already broke system, and Billups was going to be partnered up with one of the best young teams in the NBA. Then-coach Curry did the worst job of utilizing his best players, and as a result, Iverson got blamed, and Curry was fired. For one thing, Iverson played very well with the Pistons, and even with Billups they would not have made it to the second round. Its sad but Iverson was set up to fail.

He arrived in Memphis hoping to get a fresh start, and what did he get? Another idiot coach, and a Heisley, the team owner, someone not fit to run a Taco Bell. After an injured hammy in practice, Iverson sat out the first two weeks of the season, coming back in excellent shape, only to find that he was going to be benched in favour of Mike Conley.
In an interview after the game, Iverson was quoted as saying “My hamstring is fine, the only thing that hurts is my but being on the bench for so long” that quote spelled the end for his stint with the Grizzlies, because although he was playing well, he was not given the minutes he deserved. Call it selfish, or stupid, but its just A.I being A.I. Inevitably he split with the Grizzlies after 3 games, and found himself in the free agent pool again.

Iverson has so far not had any bites, except for the Knicks, and it doesn’t look like its going to improve. Despite all this, Iverson continues to pursue an opportunity to continue his career; and here are some teams he can do it with.

New York Knicks: They really need a spark, and their fans are beginning to get restless, Iverson is someone they want, and Dolan will have to give in eventually.

Toronto Raptors: Toronto is underperforming right now, Jose Calderon is really not getting it done, and the raptors are hovering around a mediocre .500. They already have a playmaker in turkoglu, so why not bring A.I in for some firepower, Chris Bosh certainly needs it.

Philadelphia 76ers: Philly, poor poor Philly, having lost in the world series, it doesn’t look like the Sixers are going to make any post season noise; Iverson never should have left, he and the Sixers deserve each other, the fans love him, and he loves the fans. It would be a glorious end to an amazing career.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Iverson will know his place there, and he will get the respect he deserves, Delonte is having tons of problems, and Iverson is a step up from him. Don’t sleep on this possibity.

LA Lakers: Kobe, the best player since M.J has so far kept Artest in check, so with Phil Jackson’s help, Iverson should be a piece of cake right? It would make the unbeatable Lakers, even more unbeatable.

Boston Celtics: Now Boston is a tricky one, for one, Iverson would have to come off the bench for Rajon, but if he got that through his head, it would be on dangerous combination.

            These teams might just give A.I a chance, and I am certain that he will show them how right they were in trusting him; but until then we just have to hope and pray that we can call the man now known as the “Cancer” the “Answer” just a few more times.