(DEEP THREAD): Iverson’s NBA exit

If I could go back and coach a team in NBA history, the 09/10 Sixers would be one of them I would have extended Allen Iverson’s legendary career by 3 years.

First: Do an eye test and tell me this dude here can’t play 2-3 more quality yrs?!

A season removed from putting up 26 and 7 a game for a 50 win Nuggets team in 07-08, Allen Iverson was traded to the Pistons at the beginning of the 08-09 season for Chauncey Billups.

This was a team that ran a strict system and required you to sacrifice scoring, shots and mins.

This was obviously a big adjustment for Iverson who led the NBA with 44 MPG and attempted the most shots in the league next to Kobe and LeBron, but he was a vet legend looking for a ring so he was sort of down. It was something the media always asked him to do, so he tried it.

AI was taking less shots, playing less mins and running the Pistons offense for new coach Michael Curry. He was still the same player from Denver, but the stats were now 18 and 5 a game. This gave media and casuals the “washed” narrative and come off the bench talk. AI was shook.

AI leaves Detroit like Melo left OKC with the “Come off the bench” “You’re old” label and goes into free agency with his value down and from leading the NBA in mpg + 3rd in PPG to being asked to play a 6th man role to finish his career in free agency. His ability a year ago

After receiving vet interest/offers from the Heat, Bobcats and Clippers...Iverson signs with the Grizzlies because they guaranteed him a starting role and the opp to prove himself again and get back to the Denver level he was at.

Iverson tears his hamstring in Grizzlies training camp and misses the preseason. Young Mike Conley and OJ Mayo in the backcourt now as Iverson rehabs.

But when the season started Hollins had AI come off the bench since he missed camp. AI was frustrated, but he tried it.

This was Iverson in limited mins off the bench for the Grizzlies. He had just come off a strong summer of training and re-activated his killer fast twitch which made him great. He was in Denver shape and motivated, but he said he’d retire over a bench role. Hollins said go

A year removed from putting up 26 and 7 a game and leading the league in MPG, casual narratives and pride forced AI to retire early despite being in great shape.

The Knicks showed interest and told him they’d get him and let him start, but passed last minute and he retired.

The hoops world was devastated, his NBA peers were lobbying for him, but he was now in retirement mode.

Then in December of 2009, Sixers guard and AI mentee broke his jaw and Amare Stoudemire randomly tweeted “Why not AI to Philly?” This caught the Sixers eye. AI gets the call.

This was now the Melo in Portland situation, but with more love because it was Philly.

Iverson just had to prove himself here, be a good teammate and respect the coach (he did all this x 3) and he’d extend his career + get a good farewell.

I said he NEEDS to put up 16 ppg.

He looked solid. He got his legs under him and had good games

But the casual labels of “washed, cancer and selfish” were too strong.

I said if he can just up 16 PPG he’ll get another 2-yR deal as a lead guard and get voted into the ASG. 16 for AI? Easy? He’s still quick

Eddie Jordan ran a PRINCETON flex offense though Didn’t fit this team or AI at all (but AI had to stay hush)

He was having big games, but he was putting up 14 and 5 on paper.

The Sixers also had Iggy, Elton Brand, Lou Will was back, Thad Young and young Jrue Holiday.

You see the reason the magic number was 16 PPG was because the false “headache” he was, would have been worth it to GM’s if he was putting up 16-18 ppg.

This would also get him an All-Star nod, which AI got either way via fan voting.

14 PPG in a FLEX = 16-18 in a motion offense

Being as prideful as he was though, AI mysteriously chose not to be at the 2010 All-Star weekend where he would’ve been showered with love.

He prob felt like he didn’t deserve it.

One week later he played his final NBA game ever. 14 ppg and 5 apg? 16 would’ve been NICE.

If I told you a princeton offense in which he had to pass, cut, set a pick and spot up in was the reason he’s not in the league then you’d laugh.

But imagine AI matches his team play, good behaviour and Philly love with 16-18 PPG? You can’t NOT sign him right?

This biz is deep.

How the hell does a guy who was THIS good (51 pts on Kobe and the Lakers, 49 thru 3 quarters in 2008) end up retired a full two years later?!

Media narratives, GM word of mouth, situations and even systems (Eddie Jordan’s Princeton prevented the magic 16 ppg ) it’s crazy man.