Iverson Chose Not To Play Than Be A Sixth Man

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Allen Iverson thought he was ready to return to the 76ers' lineup yesterday. Chris Ford didn't think so. And thus began the latest chapter in the continuing soap opera involving star player and coach.

Ford entered the Palace of Auburn Hills for yesterday's game against the Detroit Pistons not intending to play Iverson, who had missed the last three games with pain and swelling in his right knee.

When Iverson told the Sixers' trainers less than an hour before the game that he was ready to play, Ford offered to bring him in off the bench and work him back slowly.

But Iverson rejected the idea, saying, "I'm a starter," and didn't play. He changed out of his uniform and into a Milwaukee Bucks throwback jersey and cap and sat on the bench during the Sixers' dismal 85-69 loss.

"He said he didn't think I had enough conditioning to play, that I didn't run up and down the court," Iverson said after the game. "Then he asked me did I want to come off the bench. I told him I'd rather get conditioning at practice and play my usual role as a starter."</div>

Full Story By Joe Juliano

 

I saw the interview on tv, the thing that got me the best was...

"I'll do anything to help my teammates, but I'm no 6th man"

Yeah....ok buddy.

Iverson has been a real punk this year, I actually don't know who has been worse, him or Tracy McGrady.

 

Definitley an insult to his coaches and team if you ask me. His attitude towards everything & everyone is starting to get old.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I'll do anything to help my teammates, but I'm no 6th man."</div>

Then get your ass back on the court and stop acting like a big baby.

 

That was a real dumb move by Iverson. The thing is that he was actually in his shorts, jersey and all tapped up. And actually went back and got undressed. He was right there in the middle of the court ready to go. All he had to do was sit on the bench for no more than 5 minutes, and play. After that he would have most likely start for McKie in the remaning 3 quaters, and give the Sixers a better shot at winning the game. But seriously...He needs to get with the program.

 

Iverson has missed a career high 22 games this season. Anyone else find this odd?

 

Iverson is a 28 year old baby...I'm sorry but his behavior is beyond childish...If I were coach Ford, I would play Iverson off the bench for a few games just to send a message, playoff race or not...AI has got to be one of the most spoiled athletes of all-time...

 

MORE DRAMA!!!!!Its the last thing the Sixers need now if Ai insist he is ready the coach should know that he is ready.The coach should know that the Sixers would need him down the strecth. But then again if AI wanted the best for the team and wanted to contribute he would have played.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Q Rich3:</div><div class="quote_post">He reign in Philly is over...i think he will end up somewhere on a western confrence team, I know the Clippers have showed much interest in him if Richardson leaves....He has been a punk this year and isnt helping his teammates at all..what is wrong with being a sixth man?</div>

Who would we get from the Clippers?

 

I sure hope he wont go to the Clippers, there have been talks in the pasts about him goin to the Clippers but nothing ever went down.And do you think the Philly fans would accept whoever they got in a return for AI.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting B-22:</div><div class="quote_post">And do you think the Philly fans would accept whoever they got in a return for AI.</div>

Nope. Who would?

 

Maybe he wouldn't be traded to the Clippers, but maybe a huge blockbuster deal will happen in the future. This drama has just been too much to this Sixer organization. Time for a change in Philly.

 

With Kobe on top of the Clipper's wishlist, I don't see any scenrio where they make a run at AI...at least not until they are officially out of the Kobe sweepstakes

 

You will never get equal value for Iverson Sixer fans, prepare to bite the bullet to more forward with this franchise.

It's what you have to do, no one would trade a super star that has no problems to take on the load of AI.

 

AI needs to suck it up and play ball. His teammates needed his offense, especially since they were playing the Pistons. If he wanted to win, he would have swallowed his ego and came off the bench. 6th Man or not, his teammates needed him and he wasn't there.

During the game they were saying how he was complaining that it was getting unbearable to watch, and he wished he was out there.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Iverson has been a real punk this year, I actually don't know who has been worse, him or Tracy McGrady.</div>
Thats a very easy one...<font color="Silver"> <font size="1">::cough cough:: McGrady</font></font>

 

the real sad thing about it is, that the sixers had momentum
then ai came in and said "im no 6th man" -> not really chemistry booster...

imagine what his "teammates"(if he has one) think about that, i think they are all sick of that soapopera
w/o him they just played ball, with him in they need to worry if he's happy

everybody that plays bball, knows that u can't win when u think to much

 

No team in it's right mind would take Iverson, superstar or not... He's a coach killer, a bad team player and a prima donna. You take Iverson, you screw up your chemistry and you get a guy that's lazy in practice. I would never trade for Iverson, i'd rather have two or three hard working role players instead of that punk

He'll never win a championship with that kind of attitude.

 

I personally dont think its Iverson that's the problem...i mean look at the stats since Ford took over he doesnt get the minutes like he used to his ppg are down...WHY does the coach have his best player sitting the bench??? does he not want to win?? Personally in my opinion the coach is the problem in this issue...I dont think we are seeing the whole side of the story!

 

Good to see that the majority of you Philly fans are not falling for Iverson's "woe is me story." This is exactly why guys like Iverson never win anything, because they fail to understand that their actions show what the lesser players need to do to win. If he is unwilling to play like a 6th man and come off the bench, what does it tell guys like McKie and Dalembert who are sitting on the bench?

Old question but why do players like Iverson think that they can dog it in practice and expect everyone else to bust their asses in practice? Somebody tell me that. Show me a superstar who dogs it in practice and games and I'll show you a loser.

I applaud Sixer management for taking a stand against this type of selfishness.

 

"I do anything to help my team win, but I'm not accepting to be sixth man!"
With those last words, he screwed it all up!
He sounds like Dennis Rodman or something when he says shit like this!