<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Allen Iverson says he never demanded a trade, but he's sure happy he landed in Denver. In his first interview since the Nuggets acquired him from the 76ers, Iverson told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on Wednesday, "It's a great feeling. I'm just glad the whole process is over. I think I'm just put in a situation where I can succeed." The entire interview can be seen on "Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith" on ESPN2 at 11 p.m. ET Wednesday night. The Answer In The Show Allen Iverson sits down with Stephen A. Smith for his first interview since being traded to Denver. "Quite Frankly" airs on Wednesday night on ESPN2 at 11 ET. On Thursday, Kobe Bryant sits down with Stephen A for the entire hour. Click here for ESPN's TV listings. Iverson took exception to the perception that he went into Sixers general manager Billy King's office and demanded a trade almost two weeks ago. "I went into a meeting with Billy and I had expressed my frustrations," Iverson said. "We had lost 12 of 14 games and something wasn't right. I told Billy King we couldn't win with this style. I didn't directly say, 'Trade me -- I'm ready to go.'" The four-time scoring champion, seven-time All-Star and 2001 league MVP said he told his teammates about the meeting and told them he "loved them." But he said the Sixers had to know that, "If they didn't change what was going on so that we had a chance to win, I thought they should get rid of me." The time surrounding his discussion with King and the weeks after were especially difficult. Workers at Denver Athletic prepare the new official game jersey of Allen Iverson. "From the last month I didn't feel appreciated at all," Iverson said. "And I still feel that way to an extent. I just knew that any team I went to they were going to appreciate what I can do on a basketball court." Iverson repeatedly thanked his fans for all of their support, but he appeared relieved to be leaving the Philadelphia sports </div> Source
Well, if that is true, that means Iverson didn't demand a trade. Which means no one can now say he was disrepectful by giving up on the organization and etc.
That makes no sense. Why would the Sixers float out a false rumour that Iverson demanded a trade, when it lowers his value so much?
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe Iverson is lying </div> What exactly would he get out of it? Well I guess, Philly fans wouldn't be mad at him.
<div class="quote_poster">Kidd Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What exactly would he get out of it? Well I guess, Philly fans wouldn't be mad at him.</div> Exactly. He may just be trying to please the media and the fans. I'm not saying Iverson is lying, but obviously someone's story is not straight
Iverson did what he should have done a long time ago. Confronted GM Queen about the mediocricty (sp?) of the 76ers. He basically send something needs to change, or I need to go. Obvious the 76ers aren't trying to compete so you know which option King went with.
You bother even listening to what the man said on Quite Frankley? I trust AI's honesty, because in this case it makes sense.
<div class="quote_poster">Air Fresh Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You bother even listening to what the man said on Quite Frankley? </div> Yeah, I actually did listen to what he said on Quite Frankly, but to me its pretty obvious he is just trying to save face with the fans who were upset with him for demanding a trade. I listened to what he said on Quite Frankly but I also listened to the comment released by his agent over the last two weeks, and AI being nowhere to be found denying any of them.
<div class="quote_poster">GameFace Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, I actually did listen to what he said on Quite Frankly, but to me its pretty obvious he is just trying to save face with the fans who were upset with him for demanding a trade. I listened to what he said on Quite Frankly but I also listened to the comment released by his agent over the last two weeks, and AI being nowhere to be found denying any of them.</div> Why would he care about the fans who were upset? All the fans that are upset with him are going to be replaced with Denver Nugget fans. Not to mention most 76ers fans I've talked to don't even blame AI in the first place. The statement his agent released was probably released after Allen learned that King was going to trade him instead of trying to make a shakeup in the Philly lineup.
<div class="quote_poster">Air Fresh Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Why would he care about the fans who were upset? All the fans that are upset with him are going to be replaced with Denver Nugget fans. Not to mention most 76ers fans I've talked to don't even blame AI in the first place. The statement his agent released was probably released after Allen learned that King was going to trade him instead of trying to make a shakeup in the Philly lineup.</div> Yea, Iverson was most ticked about being sat down so he didn't care when his agent said that he had demanded a trade when actually all he had demanded was changes in the way the Sixers play and changes in the roster. The Sixers management decided to trade Iverson after Iverson demanded changes in the team style of play and in the roster. Iverson really wanted to retire a Sixer but this season was so bad he could no longer see how the Sixers could turn things around within a reasonable time unless they told him how they were going to do it. It was the blowout by the Chicago Bulls that started the chain of events that ended up with Iverson on the Nuggets. Here is what Iverson said after the Sixers were blown out by the Bulls 121-94: "We've lost 12 out of 14 games and obviously, something needs to be done," he said. "There needs to be a change. Somehow, something needs to be scrambled up. We need to figure out how to play a different way, because the way we're playing is not getting it done."
<div class="quote_poster">Air Fresh Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Why would he care about the fans who were upset? All the fans that are upset with him are going to be replaced with Denver Nugget fans. Not to mention most 76ers fans I've talked to don't even blame AI in the first place. The statement his agent released was probably released after Allen learned that King was going to trade him instead of trying to make a shakeup in the Philly lineup.</div> Maybe because his fans in Philadelphia actually mean something to him? Even if the statement was released after he learned King was going to trade him he had eight days to tell the truth about what happened why do it now?
He wants to seem like he didn't disown his fans. He wants to win but doesn't want to admit to his fans that he couldn't do it in Philly.
