Allen Iverson was many things during his decade-long stop in Philadelphia. Aside from his inspiring play on the court – and uninspiring penchant for practice (Yes, indeed, we are talkin’ ‘bout practice) – Iverson was a proud man. A “warrior” as he liked to call himself. Practice?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IdoCLk3kCo&hl=en&fs=1]
Nevertheless, it appears as if time and injury are starting to creep up on ol’ Alley I, but then again, if we’re all lucky it will catch up with us too. However, in this case, Iverson might be relegated to coming off the bench for the Detroit Pistons when he returns to the lineup from a back ailment.
Practice and the bench, too?
According to a story on freep.com, the Pistons are doing quite well without “The Answer.” Moreover, it sounds like he ought to get used to substituting in when he returns.
"I think he's going to fit right in," Coatesville’s Richard Hamilton told freep.com."It's a tough role for him because I know it was a tough role for me.
"So I think he will be great. We're going to cheer for everybody and do everything possible to win games."
Iverson threw a hissy fit when ex-Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks wanted to slowly work him back into the lineup from the bench a few seasons back. In one of his better known (but not a top 10) rants, Iverson laid out his resume to criticize Cheeks’ plan to use him as a sixth man.
In the end, Iverson got what he wanted – he started, squeezed off his shots and then got dealt to Denver…
And when that honeymoon ended quicker than anticipated, Iverson landed in Detroit.
Though it sounds as if the honeymoon is coming to a quick end in Detroit, too. According to a freep.com story, Detroit fans will likely give louder cheers to ex-Piston Chauncey Billups than their new sixth man, A.I.
*** OK, another Dawkins thing:
It could have been worse – the Eagles could have given him an empty golf bag on his way out.