Allen Iverson Gripes About His Role

When Allen Iverson addressed the media on Sunday after returning from a month-long absence, it was clear through his words and body language that he was not yet comfortable in his new role as sixth man, though he expressed optimism that he'd make it work.

"A person with my resume, things that I've done in my career ... to come off the bench I just felt like it would be tough for me mentally," he said. "I know I can get through the whole thing physically, but just mentally it was tough for me. But the whole thing I thought about the big picture. And that's helping my teammates get a win. And, you know, the more I thought about that, the more I relished the challenge of having to come off the bench."

A few minutes later, he closed the press conference by saying, "Now, my whole thing is trying to be the best sixth man that I can be, and the best sixth man in the league."

Forty-eight hours later, Iverson has apparently backed down from the challenge, complaining after Tuesday's loss in Cleveland about his lack of playing time. From Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:

"Eighteen minutes, c'mon, man. I can play 18 minutes with my eyes closed, with a 100-pound truck on my back. That's a bad feeling.

"I'm wondering what the rush was to get me back. I mean, for that?"

[...] "This is a bad time for me mentally," Iverson said. "I'm just trying to get through it without starting a bunch of nonsense. ... I'm just trying to laugh as much as I can man to stop from crying."

The timing of the complaints, just days after professing an open mind to the situation, is laughable, as is the suggestion that he "rushed" back.

After being told that he was being moved to the bench, Iverson came down with a mysterious back injury that Detroit's renowned training staff could never put their finger on -- it took several examinations and a visit to Iverson's former college before finding a doctor who diagnosed him with "soreness" and prescribed at least two weeks of rest. Iverson ended up taking four.

Were it not for the fact that the Pistons actually played better without Iverson -- at least until Rip Hamilton tweaked his groin and Rasheed Wallace tore a calf muscle -- it's likely the question as to whether Iverson was actually injured or merely pouting would have received more national attention. Aside from Reggie Miller suggesting that Iverson was "holding this team hostage" on a recent TNT broadcast, Iverson essentially received a pass.

Of course, that didn't stop Iverson from ripping media last weekend "Negativity is going to sell," he said after Sunday's game. "If you can come up with a negative story about Allen Iverson, then everybody want to listen. They don't want to hear nothing positive about me."

Chalk this up as another negative article, I suppose. But is it a grand media conspiracy or a self-fulfilling prophecy? I'll let you be the judge.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-01-2009 @ 8:15AM

obamaizadope said...

This team is underperforming (to say the least) with Michael Curry at the helm. You can tell from the body language that the players don't respect him..

4-01-2009 @ 9:08AM

Dave Dial said...

Well Matt, your piece IS another negative "article" because you get the facts wrong and link to an already discredited column by Chris McCosky.

The fact is, Chris and you, are wrong. Iverson did not come "down with a mysterious back injury" after he was told he would be coming off the bench. And by furthering that lie, you are doing yourself a discredit.

The facts are, Iverson hurt his back and was experiencing numbness in his legs several games before Curry told him he was benched, and he re-injured the back(falling hard to the floor) 2 games before he was told. The Piston-Hornets game(more than 24 hours before AI was informed) fans could see Arnie Kander working on AI on the sideline, with Allen in obvious pain.

Even if you have a bias towards Iverson, and it's obvious that both you and Chris do, it's inexcusable to distort the facts to fit the way you feel and cite them as the truth.

Inexcusable.

Iverson causes himself a lot of trouble with some of the things he says and does, there is no need to make up conspiracy theories with distorted falsehoods without any source to back those accusations up.

4-01-2009 @ 4:15PM

Matt Watson said...

Before AI learned of his demotion, he attempted to play through whatever ailed him. After learning of his demotion, he left the team on their road trip (and then skipped town for DC when the team returned to Detroit). I've made this timeline very clear in previous posts, even if I didn't explicitly re-iterate it here.

I don't doubt that he is/was actually dinged up -- all players are this late in the year -- but I also don't buy for a second that he took as much time to return as he could possibly justify, and then some.

I can understand why optimistic fans viewing this situation from a distance might be inclined to give AI the benefit of the doubt at every opportunity (he's AI! he's a legend! he's been wronged and misunderstood his entire career! the media is a bunch of old, white, out-of-touch men who can't relate!), but my opinion has been formed not by bias but rather being in the locker room before and after nearly every home game this year. And for the most part, those with similar access tend to feel the same way, even if they're not as transparent about those feelings as McCosky and I. (Yes, I know I sound like a jerk playing the "I have access" card, and that hardly validates every single thing I say, but I'm merely trying to convey that my opinions are well-informed.)

I saw you took issue with McCosky's article that I linked to -- although, c'mon, you disagreed with it, you didn't "discredit" it (for those struggling to follow, Dave wrote this: http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/2009/03/chris_mccosky_allen_iversons_e.html ) -- but what I was referencing was this:

"Every test that was done on his back -- bone tests, tissue tests, nerve tests, the complete battery -- came back negative. The original MRI that was done in Orlando on Feb. 26 was never disputed by any subsequent test.

The Pistons medical staff was baffled, but they respected that he said he was in pain. They never once challenged that and they allowed him to seek every medical opinion and advice he needed."

In any case, I don't know what else to say. I'm not out to "get" anyone -- I call it like I see it.

4-01-2009 @ 9:14AM

brgulker said...

I heard AI’s comments on sportscenter. It’s the only news about the Pistons that made the on-air commentary.

I’ve given him the benefit of the doubt long enough. I even argued he could help us off the bench.

I was wrong. He’s the Canswer, not the Answer.

On the one hand, I try to understand where he is coming from. He's been a starter, and everyone in the media seems to think he's a hall of famer. Plus, he played really well last night. I think he deserved more than 18 minutes.

But on the other hand, I can't help but think, "deal with it!" You're making 20 million to help this team win. Do what you're asked, do it well, and don't complain about it. And if you're going to complain, go to the coach, not the press conference.

4-01-2009 @ 9:27AM

Other than the "Canswer" comment, I agree with you. Going to the media 2 games after his return just feeds the negative beast, and causes team disruption.

Rip at least waited a handful of games before he started complaining to the media.

I bet it was/is tough for both of them to see Stuckey continue to struggle, but still get so many minutes. But that's what Joe wants, to throw Rodney out there and have him learn.

Whether that's successful or not, is not yet known. He's hit a brick wall this season and has been pretty bad the past month+. If he hits the offseason hard and conditions himself better, it could be a good learning experience. If he comes back next year with the same problems, he's just going to be a below average guard.

4-01-2009 @ 11:46AM

To be fair to Rip, he didn't seek out the media at a press conference. The media sought him out, asking him time and time again about how he felt about coming off the bench.

Rip didn't address the media after his second game coming off the bench, and that of his own volition.

Rip only commented after being asked repeatedly.

I, too, have been disappointed to see Stuckey struggle. Much like the Pistons, it's been a case of Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde. He's either brilliant or awful, it seems.

And I don't blame AI for all the Piston failures, by any stretch. In fact, I would put a lot of the blame on Stuckey not being anywhere near as productive as CB.

When you couple that with our discombobulated roster and incompetent coaching staff, you've got a team that will hover around .500 and not much else.

4-01-2009 @ 2:01PM

Mike said...

Dave Dial: It'd be nice if you'd show Matt as much respect as you show your colleague Blakely, despite the fact that Blakely's article on the matter is uncharacteristically off. I like ASB, but he missed it big time when he said that AI took Rip's minutes. It's funny, because Rip only lost 6 minutes per game and strangely Stuckey is the one who hasn't been a sub since the first week of December.

Even comparing Rip and AI's situations is comparing apples to oranges. As previously mentioned, Rip saw his playing time decrease by 6 minutes per game. AI has seen his playing time decreased by 15 minutes per game.

And this is a gem: "Whether that's successful or not, is not yet known."

Uh, the record is 36-38. I think we can call Stuckey's royal ascendancy unsuccessful for this season.

And, then you follow it up with this:

"He's hit a brick wall this season and has been pretty bad the past month+"

Didn't you just answer your own question? If Stuckey is playing so bad right now why not give his minutes to AI and let Stuckey bounce back in '09-'10? That is the common sense approach. And AI is rightfully upset that the team is ignoring the common sense approach. I don't blame him at all.

4-01-2009 @ 3:26PM

Mike, ASB does make mistakes. If I thought this was just a mistake, it wouldn't irritate me so much. But McCoskey seems to purposely distort the truth to fit his own bias.

Maybe I was a bit harsh here(directing it towards Matt), and it wasn't necessary. I just wish more people would call out McCosky when he outright lies in his columns.

Heck, I think Matt does a very good job and enjoy reading his writings.

As for me saying "Whether that's successful or not, is not yet known", that has more to do with the overall picture than this season. Of course this season has been a disaster.

What I mean is, by throwing Stuckey into the fire we don't know if that will turn out to be a positive or a negative for his overall growth. His career isn't done because he is not in the proper condition to play a 82 game schedule.

There are a lot of first year players(this is is true first season) that find out they need to condition better so they can handle playing a long NBA season, and then come back and have much better seasons. Hopefully that will be the case with Stuckey.

4-01-2009 @ 4:20PM

Dave -- at least we agree on Stuckey.

4-01-2009 @ 5:14PM

Matt,

I think we probably agree on a lot more than that, since I continue to read your writings. heh-heh

If we are talking about, whether Iverson would have come back sooner if he was the starting two-guard on a team that had a chance to win the Title, I think people may be right that he would.

Maybe the skeptics are right and Iverson has purposely stayed away from the team because of the demotion. But to make that accusation doesn't someone need some kind of proof or at least an on the record accusation from the Pistons?

In any case, thanks for the response and have fun with your locker room access. :-P

4-01-2009 @ 2:59PM

ryan august said...

as much as i hate ai, he is right stucky sucks so bad right now and he should have played at the end of the game,but dumb ass curry played stuck who tries to drive thru the whole other team and throw up a wild brick.he also can not shoot worth a squat,ai actually played good yesterday but genius curry decides not to play him i would be pissed to u suck curry. do us a favor and quit u inexperinced idiot

4-01-2009 @ 3:30PM

Nate said...

AI has never been know to be a cry-baby, just misunderstood and a bit arrogant. Curry's is who I'm going to have to blame here. He IS inexperienced, and AI is not a conceivable 6th man on any team in the NBA. You give Iverson an entire season off the bench, he'll win so many 6th man awards we won't even know how to PRONOUNCE Ginobli. Curry needs to rethink his game plan overall...

4-01-2009 @ 3:57PM

Hamilton, Prince, McDyess, and my main man Jason Maxiell are too good for what's going on in Detroit right now. Maxiell is an absolute beast, and he's being wasted by that sorry excuse for a coach, Michael Curry. Fire Curry, let Darrell Walker finish up the season..

4-01-2009 @ 3:59PM

Was Up Diva!!!!! said...

Leave the man alone. He has a great deal of weight on his shoulders. His new role is a blow to his ego.

He is correct about the media. Negativity is the only thing that people gravitate to.

He is not a cancer. He is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. He has not played with the best supporting team to win a championship.

AI is a very outspoken person. He was miffed at last nights loss, his playing time, as well as the rush to be inserted in line up on the bench. He would of preferred to come back 100%. Judging from his facial expressions he is still in pain physically. I am sure this has taken a toll on him mentally. I hope next season will be a good one. This has been by far his worst season of his career. Cut the man slome slack.

4-01-2009 @ 4:21PM

yokoach said...

AI is the same as Shaq...they both think they're god's gift...the only difference with Shaq is that he combined with two stellar coaches and two stellar point guards to be on teams that won it all...as for AI...he's never been a real leader, as a former philly resident I watched him time and again in press conferences and on the court, it was all about him...now that he's gone to Denver and didn't make them winners, and now at Detroit and it's even worse, it's still about him and how much he gets the ball...

4-01-2009 @ 5:52PM

iluvla8 said...

DD, What about McCosky's point that AI flew to Georgetown without team approval to avoid using team doctors/Arnie Kander? Doesn't that seem more than a bit suspicious? Also, what "lies" is McCosky spreading? A rumor without an on-the-record source is not a lie, rather it is an accusation unless it is proven false.

4-01-2009 @ 6:28PM

Dave, I'm glad you cleared that up for me. I have no interest in defending McCosky, but Matt works his butt off to stay clear of printing the incendiary and the untrue. Matt never accused AI of lying, he simply raised the point that his actions have been suspicious. Personally, I believe AI has too much pride in playing/winning to sandbag anything. Maybe I'm
naive.

But yeah, the problem with this season has been the terrible mismanagement. Amir was promoted to the starting lineup this offseason for doing what? Playing spectacular mop up duty? Kudos kid, you're good enough to be an NBDL all-star. So is Rod Benson and while the guy cracks me up, I don't want him starting for the Pistons. Then there was the matter of inexplicably placing Stuckey in the starting lineup. Once Curry (Was Dumars involved?) did that, I gave up on this season being any good.

This season is not a spectacular disaster because of the personnel on the court (though I wouldn't expect that personnel to produce 50 wins either, maybe say 45) but of the personnel managing the players.

4-01-2009 @ 10:01PM

Nat-Attack said...

Alright, I guess I'm biased because I've been an Allen Iverson fan for the past 12 years, but here's my 10 cents. Trading Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson was STRICTLY a business/freeing up cap space move. If Iverson some how "fit" with the Pistons, then Joe Dumars would have felt more reassured making the trade, but obviously that isn't the case.

Don't be so quick to blame Iverson for everything that's happened to the Pistons. They played with Chauncey Billups for six years. The Piston players became accustomed to playing in a system where no one would have to dominate alone every night. However, when the piece that made the puzzle fit together was gone, the Pistons became a mess.

Now, insert another piece, that, I'm not going to lie, is a hard fit. What did you expect? I didn't like the trade the minute I found out Iverson was heading to Detroit. Iverson needs the ball in his hands, but can you blame him? It's obviously worked for him, or he wouldn't have over 23,000 points today for his career, or played the amount of minutes he's had, etc, etc. Obviously, team chemistry is an issue.

You can have all the talent in the world, but if you're lacking team chemistry, then it won't work, i.e. Dallas Cowboys. I mean, there are other reasons as to why the Pistons are basically terrible this season. First of all, the line-up has been changed quite frequently this season. Another, injuries. Rip Hamilton was out for a few games earlier this season, and the Pistons went 7-0 without him. Rasheed Wallace has been out, and of course Iverson has for weeks as well. This team is lacking any sense of continunity, and that's something that can be tied back to the coach.

Michael Curry has no idea how to coach the Pistons, let alone a guy that game Larry Brown some of the biggest headaches of his life. Iverson is a first ballot Hall of Famer regardless. Everyone can hate him, blame him, refuse to admit that he's one of the greatest players to ever play this game, but it won't matter. The Pistons have turned one of the greatest scorers in NBA history into a joke. I can't wait till this summer. Iverson will have the chance to sign with a team that will know how to use him, not have him sitting on the bench during an entire first and third quarter.

4-07-2009 @ 6:40PM

shepardtrent said...

Pistons...LoL...what a joke! Detroit Basketball? LOLOLOLOL...

5-21-2009 @ 11:31PM

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I've made this timeline very clear in previous posts, even if I didn't explicitly re-iterate it here.