Allen Iverson's brief time in Detroit was a regrettable experience for all parties involved; fairly or not, he was the most obvious scapegoat (for Pistons fans, his teammates and the coaching staff) during a season in which nearly everything went wrong. But instead of letting old wounds heal, focusing on a new year and the monumental task at hand of making the Grizzlies relevant, let alone a playoff contender, Iverson ripped off the Band-Aid today by re-living the experience in a scathing interview with ESPN's Scoop Jackson.
From the interview:
"They told me, straight up, 'Allen, we would never disrespect you or your career like that' by making me come off the bench," Iverson said in an interview with ESPN.com Page 2 columnist Scoop Jackson. "That's what they told me to my face. And after that, I never thought about it again. I just went back to playing. Then, they came to me saying that they felt it would be in the 'best interest of the team' if I came off of the bench behind Rip [Richard Hamilton].Iverson's pride is legendary, but it's creating a monumental blind spot: no matter the organization's plans early in the year, the Pistons were just 22-28 with Iverson in the starting lineup and almost certainly would have missed the playoffs if they didn't shake things up.
"... After that, they told me that if I didn't come off the bench -- the team was going to lie down [not play] on me.
That said, Iverson has every right to be upset at the coaching staff -- just not for the reasons he's stating. He continued:
"... I don't have [anything] bad to say about the organization, especially Joe [Dumars]. I never had a problem with Joe. He's a stand-up person that I have love for and respect. He was not part of any of the problems I had in Detroit.Detroit biggest problem was that Michael Curry simply didn't know how to use Iverson -- or the rest of his roster, for that matter -- not that he flip-flopped on his decision as to who should start.
"But for [the coach] to tell me these things and for him to go back on his word like that, it was the hardest and the roughest season I've ever had."
By insisting on a slow half-court offense (Detroit played at the second-slowest offensive pace in the league last year) without emphasizing any sort of consistent three-point threat, the Pistons were woefully inefficient. Opponents were allowed to jog back on defense and clog the lane; there was rarely a threat the Pistons would run, and there was rarely a reason to protect the three-point line.
For a player who's made a career out of beating his man off the dribble and finishing at the rim, Iverson was doomed from the start. And if he harbors any ill-will toward Curry, well, get in line; Curry reportedly feuded with Rip Hamilton for much of the season, and he was unceremoniously dumped this summer after a single season on the job.
But the past is the past, and Iverson's a changed man, right? Let's just hope that the Grizzlies didn't make the mistake of promising how he would be used. Despite his lofty goal of getting into the playoffs, the Grizzlies could improve upon last year's 24-58 record by 20 games and still miss the cut.
If it becomes apparent in the second half that the team isn't winning, wouldn't the team be best-served by giving O.J. Mayo and Michael Conley as many minutes as possible instead of an aging veteran on a one-year deal? Will Iverson be giving the same juicy quotes a year from now, this time throwing Lionel Hollins under the bus instead of Curry? Stay tuned.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
he dont hes tha king of all kings
I really don't care what Iverson says. The fact is that he stinks as a player, he's lousy as a teammate, and he's a fool as a person. Iverson had plenty of opportunity to show what he has. If he doesn't shoot 30 times a game, he can't get into the "flow". I could shot 30 times per game and average 20 points a game. He shot 42% from the floor, and when you are on a team with skilled players, you have to work together. He couldn't do that if his life depended on it. He is a terrible passer, his defense is awful, and his moves to the basket have slowed and are repetious. Defenders would let him attack the lane then slide a big man to his side. He would then get trapped down by the baseline and throw the ball away. His turnover to assist ratio is the worst in the league. He was not good enough to start, and then he pouted when they asked him to come off the bench. Good riddens Iverson--you suck!!!!
YOU MUST BE A DETROIT PISTON FAN, BECAUSE YOU SOUND JUST LIKE THOSE " HATERS " IN ATLANTA WHEN MICHAEL VICK GOT CAUGHT UP IN THAT DOGFIGHTING RING. I HAVE TO ASK YOU THIS QUESTION " DO YOU PLAY BASKETBALL " DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO LIFT A FAILING TEAM LIKE DETROIT WHO HAVE NO KIND OF FRONT COURT SCORERS WHATSOEVER, IF YOU CAN THEN WHY THE HELL AIN'T YOU ON THEIR PLAY ROSTER YOU BUM.
iverson has never been anything but a detriment to any team he has been on. He is nothing more than a street punk wannabee with his entourage and his guns. He exemplifies the nba.
facemonkey429 (probably an unintentionally apt pseudonym) should be aware that one doesn't need to be a chicken (i.e., play professional basketball) to know a rotten egg (i.e. that Iverson is a net detriment to a team).
And you gotta love Michael Vick "[getting] caught up in that dogfighting [sic] ring." That's like saying Al Capone "got caught up" in Chicago crime Vick was one of the people who RAN it for YEARS, dude. It doesn't take a "hater" to know that and not to buy Vick's crocodile tears.
Iverson was committed to winning and conducted himself quite admirably around town here in Denver, as far as I know. He helped the franchise take a big step forward. Unfortuntely the chemistry wasn't right with the ball distribution, but I think their limitations were mostly due to lack of reliable outside shooters than to Iverson. The trade for Chauncey allowed Nugs to take another big step, but I for one appreciate the effort Iverson put in here.
"unfortunately the chemistry wasn't right with the ball distribution"....not to burst your bubble but it's NEVER been right where AI is concerned...he wants it ALL the time and only passes because he has no other option...he's still a street baller at heart wanting to do it all himself...the gives the pill up to others only distract from that...yes he wants to win...but he thinks he's the answer to who needs to have the ball in order for the team to win...and he still doesn't get that Practice is for the whole team...it's where they gell...."I'm supposed to be the franchise player and we're here sitting talking about practice?"...that's AI in a nutshell...regardless of how he gives back to the community...
Len missed practice, and was quoted as not worrying about it, as a RARITY due to injury. He normally practices very hard. Guys to compete for folks like John Thompson or Larry Brown without, as the fussy, fidgety, Brown puts it, playing the right way. He`s always been allowed to shoot a lot, encouraged to, but lousy as his percent is, it is the norm for guards. Stockton and Jordan were exceptions, shooting a good percent. That is usually a center stat. He gamebles too much on both ends, but his women`s jewelry, tattoos, being told by his director to eye his own backside in a commercial, all of which I hate, are not how he works on court.
I wonder if this would even have been an issue if Iverson was not elected an All Star last year - a year where a lot of other players deserved that recognition.
One only need look at NBA history to conclude that it is a difficult task to win a championship - just ask Stockton, Malone, Ewing, Nash, Nowitski and some other 'greats' who have never won a ring.
What made Iverson so popular was his diminutive stature (6'1") and his dogged moves which have become rather stale in his latter years as a player. We must acknowledge that Iverson is on his way down in terms of speed, moves and skills. I agree that his defense has never been exceptional and that his ego has caused some problems in the past. He is a great individual player but definitely not a team player.
Detroit on the other hand, needs to shed its aging superstars especially, Hamilton and possibly trade for Teshaun Prince so they can build on a younger team. With Rasheed having signed with Boston, Shaq now an East coaster with the Cavs, the Pistons do not appear to be a formidable opponent for the Magic, Celtics and the Cavaliers. I hope Iverson does well in Memphis and if he does not, he should consider retirement.
Our celebrity driven society makes imbeciles like Iverson feel like they are entitled to act like petulant children. He hasn't even learned third grade English yet. Unfortunately, because sports now panders to the most outspoken, childish, outrageous athletes, we must all suffer for eternity these assholes. Who is the "face" of the NBA? Iverson,O'Neal,James,Bryant,Howard,Wade? Take your pick who is remotely a mature adult. All are self absorbed media moths who think desecrating the greatest sport in the world into their own little pity party is newsworthy. Where is the humility ? Obviously the game has passed me by. I am not nostalgic, but to see MY game being destroyed by these pricks is truly sad.
you guys must of forgot when iverson single handedly led the sixers to the finals in 2001 all bye himself(erixc snow george lynch theo ratliff and tyrone hill were the other startes hahaah bums) hes a great play detroit didnt no how to use him in denver nobody played defense the game up a average of almost 105 a night you guys are crazy to say he sucks
He sucks.