It takes a lot for me to say that headline since I am as big a fan of BARKLEY as anyone. I dogged IVERSON early in his career because I used to see him in NYC as much as I saw him on the TV. At Club N.V., The Tunnel and other little one off parties that were frequented by Hip-Hop’s glitterati. The Knicks at the time were still managing the remnants of the failed championship squad and IVERSON was one of those professional athletes that I would sneer at in person. Partly because I was jealous and partly because I was taller than him. Let’s be honest and say that my gullyness had boundaries. I am also taller than MIKE TYSON and I never EVER sneered at him when he walked past me at night spots like Bentley’s and Red Parrot.
This is actually why IVERSON slowly became one of my favorite players in the Association. He isn’t physically imposing, but the man is as tough as junkyard dog in Nigeria. He is fearless and for ten years he has sacrificed his body to win basketball games, not scoring titles. There is a problem with the professional teams that play in the city of Philadelphia. How come none of these teams are willing to surround their talented players with complementary talent? Heaven forbid another superstar. This is why Philadelphia is doomed to exist in also ran purgatory. Meanwhile, Iverson is now the problem in all the Philly daily papers. Give me a fucking break?!? Philadelphia is so depressed and lackluster the one time that Blacks weren’t shooting the shiite out of each other was during Sixer games. You need to say a prayer for young Black teens living in Philly right now.
I ain’t mad at you ALLEN for kicking your B.M. out the house butter azz nekkid. I ain’t mad at you A.I. even though you was only fucking NAS’ baby mama because she was NAS’ baby mama and maybe you thought that was your entre into the cRap music world. I ain’t even mad at the shitty cRap album you put out. I respect you boy-boy because you kept your shit hardbody from day one. If there’s any love from the bosses in the Association they’ll let you go to Minnesota and do your thing-thing on the waters of lake Minnetonka. Peace my dude.
As a NY transplant now living in Illadelph….let me say that this town loves their sportsteams. They eat and breathe the EAGLES, SIXERS, FLYERS and PHILLIES. The fans are almost rabid with their fervor. However, like you said DP, they never have a TEAM, just individuals that they expect to bring home the championships. They refuse to spend the money and get the supporting cast. The favorite pasttime in Philly is to actually lose so they can all call up sports radio and B*tch for the next week.
AI gave everything he had to this town. He carried the team on his back and he deserves to go somewhere else where he won’t have to take the physical beating he had to endure here. Even haters have to give the man props for having HEART.
Dallas–
People that DON’T live in Philly don’t understand Iverson like we do. They say “Well Billy King never surrounded him with good players.” They say “Allen always talks about needing talent to take the load off of his shoulders.” BULLSHIT!
Here’s the list of players who were brought in and traded because they just “couldn’t work out” with Iverson, yet notice how more than HALF of these guys are now on playoff/championship teams: Jerry Stackhouse, Nazr Mohammed, Eric Snow, Bruce Bowen, Raja Bell, Tim Thomas, Larry Hughes, Toni Kukoc, Matt Harpring, Joe Smith, Keith Van Horn, Glenn Robinson (won a ring with the Spurs *shudders*) and Jim Jackson.
Here’s a list of coaches the Sixers have employed under AI’s tenure, who strangely just “couldn’t connect” with him: Johnny Davis, Larry Brown, Randy Ayers, Chris Ford, Jim O’Brien and now Mo Cheeks.
Noticing a trend here? Billy King is far from a decent GM, but you can’t be THAT wrong in 10 years–remember, the Sixers made the playoffs 4-5 years in a row not too long ago.
The only time the Sixers made it deep in the playoffs in ’01 was because Iverson, the selfish, manipulative ballhog who DOESN’T WANT ANOTHER SCORER ON ANY TEAM HE PLAYS ON, was surrounded by 10 guys who were career role players who didn’t want to shoot the ball, just rebound and defend. That’s the ONLY WAY a team with Iverson can win–trust me, I’ve watched the guy play every game since Georgetown with Othello Harrington and Jerome Williams. Plus, Iverson is the only player I’ve ever seen in NBA history who routinely needs 37 shots to score 40 points. And he’s a terrible shooter STILL AFTER 10 YEARS IN THE LEAGUE!
Believe me, I love his guts, his effort, his relentless drive to the hoop, his killer instinct and his ability to play through any injury. But after 10 years on the Sixers, he NEVER EVER EVER made 1 other player a BETTER player, something Shaq, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Kobe, LeBron, Jordan, Stockton, Bird, Isiah, et al. have done!
^did S Dot just ether me?
Candice–
You are WAY OFF with you assessment of Philly teams.
Philly teams don’t spend money? The fans don’t allow teams to not spend money.
Here’s some money facts:
Eagles: McNabb-$120 million extension 3 years ago, T.O. a $49 million deal for 3 years, Jevon Kearse 8 years $66 million
Phillies: Pat Burrell 6 years $50 million, Jim Thome-5 years $80 million, Bobby Abreu 6 years $58 million, Adam Eaton 3 years $24.5 million
Sixers: Iverson-max contract, Webber-max contract, Samuel Dalembert-6 years $60 million, still paying Aaron McKie for his $60 mill deal 4 years ago
Flyers: I don’t follow NHL salaries, but the Flyers DID sign perennial All-Stars and Olympians Jeremy Roenick, Darien Hatcher, Peter Forsberg, Geoff Sanderson and had previously dropped crazy money into Eric Lindros, John LeClair, Michel Renberg and Ron Hextall.
Philly teams SPEND TOO MUCH MONEY–they just spend it on the wrong people.
I understand you’re new to the city but you are sadly mistaken. This town is just DYING for a championship, and EVERY YEAR some team who we know isn’t really that great (except the ’04 Eagles) manages to just suck outright all season (this year’s Flyers) or overachieve and eventually lose to a superior team (’01 Sixers against the Lakers) after they steal a game or two in the playoffs/championship. We continually get our hears ripped out, but we don’t have a cute backstory like Cubs fans or years and years of heartbreak like the Red Sox before ’04. We’re just tired of getting our hearts ripped out when we should know better than believing.
Don’t worry DP…I got ethered too. LOL
DP and Candice:
Forgive my rants and elongated lectures–I’m just tired of people banging on Philly because of our “crazy, booing fans” and “bitchy, unappreciative fans.” It’s easier for the national media to portray us as just that rather than talk to people, do some interviews, find out their history.
Case in point–the game where fans booed Santa Claus and threw snowballs at him. Nobody should EVER throw anything at sporting events. But here’s the thing: That was in ’72-’73 at the Eagles regular season finale. That team was 3-13. It was the end of December. The team was dreadful. It was snowing…..
And there was still 55,000 people there. And yet no one talks about that.
S-Dot….meet me at the Terminal for lunch today…I am buying you a cheesesteak!!!! And hey, the Giants fans threw ice balls and clocked the cameraman, remember?
LOL… The rumor last year (which I wanted) was that they considered Iverson for Marbury straight up because AI wanted another chance with Larry Brown and (unlike the man with the cheap sneakers and even cheaper tattoos) “understood” what it meant to play in the Garden.
Funny 40 AI story – Temple played G’Town at the Garden during the NBA lockout and it became a star studded even of the two schools NBA alumni. I wound up linking up with my mens from the TU squads of the mid 90’s and we all went over to Justin’s. Long and the short I’m not gonna name drop all the cats at the table but I was sitting next to AI. This was when he was Public Enemy #1 of the NBA and only Puffy could out bling him. Dude was walking around with a cool half-mill on in jewelry and about $20G’s in his pocket. Now I ain’t seen this type of ninjitsu since ’88, I’m spending the whole time eating my catfish & grits on thinking how I can rob this ninja. I wasn’t gonna be greedy… Just take the cash, watch, and a chain. Then I realized the two shifty shorties in the Avirex jackets sitting across from them. Who needs bodyguards when you roll with boxcutter experts? I got love for you AI! I’d love to see you here doggie!!!
PS – I know how brutal Philly sports is y’all. Like DP said you think Philly is violent now? Wait till this guy leaves. I call 5 bodies the night of the trade. Also shout out to AI the humanitarian who covered the cost of the funeral of a kid who was killed when people tried to stick him up for his Iverson jersey…. Philly is a crazy place man.
going back to Philly, Philly, Philly,
going back to Philly?
meh, I don’t think so.
Funny AI story. My boy used to push weight out west and if you know anything about BC Bud you might know what I’m talking about. He had this one China Chic hot as hell, but a real hustler, who was his main how you say mule. Anywhoo as the story goes, one night she is out AI picks her to come back to his “afterparty” with him and 3 friends. They play strip poker and proceed to get smashed; however, home girl is just sippin after some “play” with AI. The nigga and his boys pass out. Homegirl proceeds to makes off with $20G from his pocket. Puts a down on a car and is BALLLINNN
Hampton, VA stand up!
they should trade him for jon secada and a case of harps
A.I. is the goddamned man…I hear partially where S.Dot is coming…but some of the same troubles with A.I. come up with prolific scorers on various teams. Regardless of anything dude played hard. He will also forever be in the collective consciousness for the infamous practice soundbite. “Not a game, not a game, not a game…practice.”
The greatest two guard ever……..under 6’1″.
Love dude’s heart.
overrated. another “TO” waiting to happen.
i am the greatest muthafucka!
Why is a guy who thinks the Raiders are good, commenting on people being overrated?
A.I. to the Lakers so he can sit the bench while Kobe lites it up. Believe Dat.
CWTR™
My sources tell me that A.I. might go the the Bobcats. Stay tuned
^did S Dot just ether me?
LMAO
I wonder if Carmen Bryan will be with him in a hotel room with a lot of powder when he gets the news.