<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Many 76ers fans got their first good look at Allen Iverson in a Denver Nuggets uniform Tuesday night when the Sixers played in the Mile High City against their former star. For some, it was no doubt shocking and sad to see Iverson perform for another team after spending just over 10 seasons in Philadelphia. He was the franchise, the player who put NBA basketball back in the city's consciousness, the guy who helped sell out the arena -- a feat neither Dr. J nor Charles Barkley could perform on a consistent basis. But if the sight of Iverson in white and baby blue did nothing else, it served as visual evidence that the up-and-down marriage between the Sixers and their star was really over. Really, it was time. Things hadn't been good in years. In fact, since reaching the NBA Finals in 2001, the Sixers had gone backwards to the point where a high lottery pick seemed a worthy goal. And that was with Iverson. Sure, the petite guard was at times breathtaking to watch, and you never knew from night to night what might happen. Would he score 40? 50? Or 60 as he did one night against Orlando? Those nights, however, were no longer enough to make up for the overall poor product. The Sixers were losing even with Iverson. They lost five in a row before he was exiled while Billy King tried to make a trade. Iverson wasn't a draw at home anymore, either. The Sixers' attendance has fallen every year since it peaked in 2002. There have been nights this season when the Wachovia Center looked half-empty. It was time to break it off and try to get something of value while they still could. There are those who won't get over the Iverson trade. Nothing will appease them. They are blinded by the points and the pizazz and were always willing to buy into Iverson's perpetual whine that he was misunderstood. He wasn't. For all his talent, Iverson never really got the team concept, and his refusal to change finally became too much of a hindrance. How can other players grow if one player takes 30 shots a game? Some fans, no doubt, will stay away from the Wachovia Center now that Iverson is gone. If you like real basketball, don't. While the Sixers won't win a lot of games this year, they have demonstrated in the last half-dozen games or so that they understand the game. The ball moves rather than going to Iverson and stopping. It's a team game once again, and there's something refreshing in that. Iverson will dazzle them in Denver, and after two games ESPN was gushing about the fact that Iverson's assists were up. Give it until March. Wait till Carmelo Anthony returns from his suspension and then see how well it goes. It's OK to remember Iverson with fondness, to acknowledge what he did for the Sixers in the first five years of his stay. Just don't get all misty-eyed and make it more than it was. With the exception of one brief run, the Allen Iverson Sixers were a mediocre team with one brilliant star. Now that he's gone, the Sixers seem ready to try it another way. Maybe this time, they can build a team. </div> Link
