Not The Answer: 5 reasons Allen Iverson is still unsigned
July 31 09
Everyone has a theory why Allen Iverson is unsigned.
Shouldn’t a perennial All-Star, former MVP, and one of the game’s great little men have a team by the second month of free agency? Doesn’t ‘The Godfather’ of the NBA’s hip-hop generation and a powerful box office draw deserve more respect than the Mid Level Exception from mid level squads? And why hasn’t a legit contender recognized his heart and shown love by tendering a short term contract?
Nothing is ever simple with Iverson. Remember, his great high school career was overshadowed by the fallout from that bowling alley brawl. In college, there were rumours of impropriety, which included rolling in a ‘loaner’ Mercedes before officially declaring pro. Once in the NBA, there were many ups and a few very public downs –like leaving the Detroit Pistons last year under, well, interesting circumstances.
Baggage and controversy aside, Iverson is too talented to be without a team. After all, he’s just two seasons removed from averaging 25 points per game for Denver.
So what gives? Why is ‘The Answer’ not ‘The Answer’?
Iverson is no longer a star. Last season’s debacle in Detroit proved he’s more a blending player; an off-the bench scorer or complimentary piece. Problem is Iverson doesn’t share this sentiment and wants first option minutes, touches, and shots.
Money matters. Iverson wants decent dollars because he equates his contract with respect. For instance, he believes taking the veteran’s minimum means he’s a journeyman. This is incorrect. There’s nothing wrong with taking less for the right situation, especially when you’ve had two’ max’ contracts.
Unfortunately, playing time and money are scarce for this year’s free agent crop. Coaches don’t have to guarantee minutes or roles and GMs don’t have to back-up the brinks trucks or give out extended terms. Iverson’s demands are unrealistic in the current market.
Last year in Detroit was a disaster. When healthy, he struggled. His tendency to dominate the ball didn`t jive with the collectivist Pistons and led to GM Joe Dumars giving him the golden handshake to stay on the injured list. Other teams are leery of adding such a situation.
When convenient, the NBA has used hip hop as a marketing tool. When inconvenient, the NBA has shamefully distanced itself from anything hip hop. Right now, is one of those distancing times, so Iverson, the original face of Slam Mag`, isn`t a marketing draw.
Why do you think Iverson is without an NBA team? Get at us with thoughts in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe for more NBA team. Photo courtesy of Keith Allison.
30 Comments: Not The Answer: 5 reasons Allen Iverson is still unsigned
Posted by makaveli on 08.14.2009
last year sucked for allen iversn because detroit was a bunch of cry babys when the trade went down the other pistons quit cause they was upset billups was traded also they had a sucky coach who could not make up his mind who he wanted to start .
Posted by melo boy on 08.10.2009
ballhog, ballhog, ballhog, ballhog, and ballhog! its always been like that even his rookie year. just pa-------the ball 4 once .
Posted by Real Talk on 08.6.2009
Real talkIA can still put up 25 a ngt. For a 10 time allstar, league MVP allstar game mvp i would not come off the bench either. lets be real name 10 guards that can do what AI does. Kobe, Dwade and Lebron and that is because of age not skill. If he goes to the knicks with that running offense i bet he will be one of the league leaders in assist and scoring. .
Posted by O.Sandor on 08.3.2009
Hi Snika, I totally hear what you are saying, but Jordan, at times, played the 6th man role with Washington. Now different situation than Iverson. MJ was close to 40 and the whole thing with the Wizards was a bit of sham, but, techincally, he did agree to come off the pine. Thanks for commenting. .
Posted by Snika on 08.3.2009
I would still love someone to cite the last MVP that accepted a reserve role. There definitely hasn’t been anyone in the last 15 years.. .
Posted by ronh on 08.3.2009
The only AI does not have a team is because he said he not coming off the bench if he still wants to win he would do whatever it takes. It is a shame young rebuilding teams do not want to sign him. .
Posted by O.Sandor on 08.3.2009
Hi All-Net38 ... Good points and analysis. It`s a stretch, but I`d like to see AI in Boston, playing the role of House and Marbury as the scoring guard off the bench. Less minutes, less shots, but more profile with a great team,major market and a franchise with history. Also, Ray Allen is getting-on a bit, so there could a chance to split some minutes and the Celts could also go small with Allen and Iverson playing together for stretches. And Doc is very much a player`s coach and the vets on the Celts would keep him in line. Not sure if it is possible, though. Bottom line: for Iverson to work as sixth man, he must buy in to the role and accept the good and bad this change. Hopefully, he does accept it, join a solid team, and we see him deep in the post-season, and not running with sad old Memphis. Thanks for providing another great comment. .
Posted by allnet38 on 08.3.2009
i agree oly. i also don’t wanna see iverson playing in memphis. it is not a good solution for him to play for a poor team and i think that playing sixth man would be great for THE ANSWER. he would be a good fit for san antonio (although i dunno if he would get a lot of playing time there...); dallas maybe? BUT he won’t be playing in june then! he could play starter besides steve nash but i have no clue where phoenix will be next season. a last possible team, for me, would be portland: the blazers are a young team. iverson could either support brandon roy and give the team some energy from the bench or also play on the two with roy on the point depending on the opponent guards! .
Posted by Dukegirlforever on 08.3.2009
Why is AI not signed? Because everybody has to have something to hate, to talk bad about and use as a scape coat and AI is the NBA’s scape coat. You see other players behaving badly but that’s okay because they are big names but AI can’t even get out of bed in the morning without somebody bad mouthing him. Read his biography and see the real man and you’ll change your attitude about him - No you won’t because if you bad mouth him in the first place you’re just an uneducated, uninformed hater so it won’t matter. .
Posted by O.Sandor on 08.2.2009
Hi no-name poster from Detroit. I agree. Iverson is not the player from years past; his smaller size and daring style caught up to him last year when he played. That’s why a slightly reduced, but still important role like 6th man on a good team would be perfect. Less minutes, lots of shots and battling the other side’s second unit would be ideal at this stage. Most importantly, who wants to see a Hall of Fame player go out with a whimper on a poor club like Memphis? Thanbks for commenting! .
Posted by
on 08.2.2009
Pistons fan here — I watched Iverson a lot last year, and I think a lot of people who didn’t watch him much missed the fact that he’s accellerating the downward arc of his career.He’s lost a lot of his ability to drive to the hoop, which has always been his bread and butter. His first step is a bit slower, and his ability to adjust in the last part of his drive to the hoop greatly faded. As a result, he was regularly getting caught close to the basket without the opening he used to have. He used to be able to exploit those few inches and 10ths of a second his speed and reflexes gave him, but as he’s aged those gaps have closed.It’s a fact of life that older guards have to make a transition from driving the lane to hitting outside shots, but outside shooting has never been Iverson’s strength and it’s getting worse with age. As a result, teams are increasingly able to dare him to shoot from long range and cheat on stopping him off the dribble, worsening his odds of scoring inside.And as for defense, his declining quickness, reflexes, and endurance have made it easier for teams to take advantage of him. And as he has to work harder on offense, he loses the energy to defend.Age is not a friend in the NBA, and Iverson’s game is particularly hurt by his declining physical skills. .
Posted by O.Sandor on 08.2.2009
Hi no-name poster, thanks for commenting. Some interesting points. Here’s my response. First, no failed relationship is ever one-sided, so Dumars to some extent is to blame for Iverson not working out. Perhaps, his choice of coach in Curry (who Dumars fired, by the way)couldn’t handle a vet or perhaps the expectations surrounding minutes and role were never firmly established. Whatever the case, remember, Dumars acquired Iverson`s contract because he wanted the cap space at season`s end, so it didn`t matter if things never worked out on-court. Second, I would agree Iverson is partially misunderstood. He had a tough upbringing and I think people should be aware of that and also notice his loyalty to family,friends, and charity. So there are two-sides. Finally, Iverson`s best shot going forward is as a game-changing, sixth man for a good team. He could be the designated scorer for a second unit, play loads of minutes, and change the tempo with his quicks and scoring. Again, i want him to play in June, not average 27 ppg on some terrible 24 win team. AI. finish your career with meaningful, relevant basketball. Just my thoughts. Thanks for commenting. .
Posted by
on 08.2.2009
im knew 2 diz shh... i mean stuff n i c oly sandor msg pple bakk n dats kool i like 2 da man behind diz artical msg me on wut i had 2 say u kno.. .
Posted by
on 08.2.2009
u kno... he juz misunderstood by da media n crap. i curze alot but n s---but mothaphukkas automaticly think im trying be cold gangsta or wutever u kno... da media game iz a powerful thang. pple look at it n beleav it u kno wit out getting iverson side of d story..... dat s---rite der aint fair u kno.... it dont matta wut u done did or who u r. i think everybody deserverz a fair shake u kno... .
Posted by
on 08.2.2009
man. Iverson sacrificed his impact of tha game juz 4 da team u kno… juz proves he aint selfish … joe dumarz man is a selfish man man u kno… he bring iverson down n makin it seem llike he mest up da team u kno… now everybody thinking he gana do da same thang 2 who ever sign him u kno s---man… Iverson juz misunderstood since 4 ever……. .
Posted by O.Sandor on 08.2.2009
Hi Snika and Allnet ... Thanks for contributing intelligent and reasonable comments. However, I feel AI is not a main act on a contending team. When he was option one or one-A in Denver, they never advanced past the second round. Sure, he can post numbers, but I’m not sure if that team can achieve playoff success. But Snika I agree, he is certainly better than Finley at the tail end of his career in San Antonio. For a year, I have argued that Iverson should serve as the sixth man or designated game-changer on a contending team. For instance, he could play the Manu Ginobili role, get 30-35 minutes,drop 18-20 points against opposing second units, and compete for a ring. Personally, I want to see Iverson play in June and be relevant when basketball matters most, not average big numbers on Memphis or some other dysfunctional, lottery-bound club. That would be a sad way to end a great career. Thanks for commenting Snika and Allnet. I believe our views are closer than you think! .
Posted by allnet38 on 08.2.2009
OK OK... last season wasn’t AI’s best BUT he still has the skills to dominate on his position. he is still one of the best shooting guards in the league and therefore last season will be known as the DETROIT DESASTER! the team which gives iverson a starting spot will be highly rewarded! sory oly but he is not a supporting act, he is a MAIN ACT. I think that iverson’s attitude towards his value is awesome. he is not one of the finleys, allens or malones: accepting to play way under their value just in order to get a championship ring! KEEP YOUR HEAD UP A.I. don’t let them bring you down you’re still a go to guy! .
Posted by Snika on 08.2.2009
I agree, not even close to the best player in the league, but a prolific scorer and deserving of what he probably expects... more than 5mil a year, and a starting job. That sounds pretty do-able to me. Someone help me out, who was the last MVP that came off the bench late in his career??? I can’t think of one... .
Posted by O.Sandor on 08.2.2009
Hi Daniel. Thanks for reading. Even though, I don’t think you read my article and are simply getting out of it what you like. I like Iverson and think he is deserving of better (which I wrote in my second paragraph). But he is no longer "ARGUABLY THE BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE" as you say. If he was, Iverson would have a team by now and would also get starter minutes and first rate money. But he’s clearly not and is still a free agent in August. Look, I want AI to succeed. I hope he does and think he can help a lot of teams in different situations. I love his heart and ability to stick by friends and family. But we also have to live in reality Daniel and not make comical statements (like Iverson is arguably the best player in the game in 2009) about players just because we like them. AI is a first ticket Hall of Famer, but right now he’s more a blending player and there is nothing in the world wrong with that. If living in reality and wanting Iverson to get the most out of the final stages of his career, makes me a hater in your eyes then fine. However, the issue is with you, not me. .
Posted by Daniel on 08.2.2009
Almost everything you wrote is by a fact incorrect Oly.Allen Iverson is still a star, and in his prime. He deserves starter minutes, shots, and touches...maybe more than anyone. He is arguably the best player in the NBA.You have been fooled by the image they are making of Iverson, and it is showing you just may be a pure Allen Iverson hater.If he comes back strong next season, you will be acting like you never said anythingso impure about Iverson like you have. You will eat your words for doubting Iverson. You will never doubt him again, and that is not only coming from me, but from millions. Oly, you are now identified as "Iverson hater". .
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About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA
Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More
