<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On sharing the distinction with Duncan as the only holdovers from USA Basketball's original list of nine "core" players, and why they're ignoring security fears in Greece: "It shows me that Tim cares, and he believes that he's going to be all right, and that it means something to him. And that's the same with me. This thing means something to me." Whether he ever came close to joining the long list of pullouts: "Never. I knew that if I got well [recovering from a knee injury that ended his season prematurely] I was gonna play. ... The whole thing why I'm not disappointed in those [other] guys not going is because that's their decision. I guess they're thinking about their life, their family, the people that care about them, and most importantly themselves. You can't question that. But I just believe so much in God. I feel like God's protected me all my life, through ups and downs, and this is just another obstacle in my life that He'll help me through." What it was like watching Brown, after all their years together in Philly, win the championship in Detroit: "I was happy for him. I think I called him too late to congratulate him, because he was knocked out when I called him. He just said we [were] going to win an Olympic medal [together], and we got off the phone. But, man, I was happy. Coach is a Hall of Fame coach. Coach [has] been coaching for so many years, and for him not to have a championship . . . even if he didn't win it with me, he won it. He accomplished something that he and I couldn't. I was just happy for him. I was happy for guys on that [Detroit] team. You think I'm going to be in the East rooting for the West?" More on Larry, after it was made clear to AI that the question wasn't suggesting he had rooted against Brown -- merely that it might have been tough for him to watch the Pistons prevail because Iverson wanted to be the one leading Brown to his first NBA title: "You're right about that. You're right about that. And then once they won it, I was happy . . . but I couldn't watch [the celebration]. I couldn't watch all the champagne pouring and all that because I wanted -- and not for selfish reasons -- but I wanted to pour champagne on him and I wanted him to pour it on me. I'd be lying to y'all if I sat here and [denied] that. But I honestly, genuinely was happy for him, because I [saw] him accomplish something that he and I tried to accomplish together and couldn't get it done. And we went through hell basically trying to accomplish that. And then, for him to finally get it just made me feel good." On his own championship prospects at age 29, after eight seasons in the league and with the rebuilding Sixers: "I definitely feel like it's coming. And I don't want a championship where I'm 35, 40 years old, take a pay cut and go play for the team that everybody in the media is saying is gonna win it. I don't want it that way. I don't want that championship. I want the championship where I'm the leader on the team. I don't have to be the facial figure of the team. I honestly want to play with another All-Star or that type of player, but ... I want it in Philadelphia, simple as that. All the stuff that I've been through, that place turned me from a young man to a grown man, and I'm not talking about all the good things." What it would mean to win a gold medal, compared to an NBA championship: "I don't know how big it is, because I haven't gotten the feeling yet. I have an idea of how I'll feel to win a gold medal, but I honestly don't know. ? Just being an Olympian, I'm beside myself. But getting a [gold medal], all I know it's going to be something I never forget, something I cherish for the rest of my life." </div> Full Interview/Article Courtesy of Marc Stein/ESPN.com I'm not at all surprised by his answers about Brown here. Those two had a very strong connection, even throughout the rough times, they were still there for each other, the respect and love was still there. I'm glad for Larry too, but Allen just did not have enough good players on that Finals team to succeed. George Lynch, a primary factor of that Finals team got injured, if not for him we could have made it at least a six game series. This interview also shows more of his emotional side for his country, something the pullouts have yet to achieve. Also, how cool is the shoes with the flag colors on the tongue?!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sasha:</div><div class="quote_post">Full Interview/Article Courtesy of Marc Stein/ESPN.com I'm not at all surprised by his answers about Brown here. Those two had a very strong connection, even throughout the rough times, they were still there for each other, the respect and love was still there. I'm glad for Larry too, but Allen just did not have enough good players on that Finals team to succeed. George Lynch, a primary factor of that Finals team got injured, if not for him we could have made it at least a six game series. This interview also shows more of his emotional side for his country, something the pullouts have yet to achieve. Also, how cool is the shoes with the flag colors on the tongue?!</div> I seriously dont think that the AI larry brown issue was ever that bad escept for the time larry came close to trading AI to the clippers. The media made it what it was the two never really appeared to have big issues with each other when they took the court. When brown left philly he said "god put me through a test those years in philly" sort of taking a shot at AI, but then came back by saying "AI is like a son to me some days you love him and some days you just wana strangle him". Anytime a coach compares a player to his son then imo they have a close relationship. Almost like that of a father son relationship. I am happy to here that AI never considered leaving team USA they will have the biggest amount of portection when they are there also I dont think they would be the target of terrorism because it would be an aweful lot of trouble for terrorists to try and break that security they have there to attack what 12 people. Also I am glad he was happy to see brown win the title shows and call him to congradulate him shows they still have a good relationship and keep in touch. Larry is still a sixer at heart it was the team he spent the longest time with and he still lives in philly and his children still go to school here. Also the question about did he feel it was tough watching the pistons get to the final and then win it. The answer he gave showed he still has the heart and the desire to win a title and he will get one because he has the drive to do it. The last question about how would it feel for him winning a gold metal. He replied to with idk I havent had the feeling yet I would say he will be overwelmed when team usa finally does get the gold (which they will). Because he will have olympic gold with a team that he helped lead there as a captin.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I seriously dont think that the AI larry brown issue was ever that bad escept for the time larry came close to trading AI to the clippers. The media made it what it was the two never really appeared to have big issues with each other when they took the court. When brown left philly he said "god put me through a test those years in philly" sort of taking a shot at AI, but then came back by saying "AI is like a son to me some days you love him and some days you just wana strangle him". Anytime a coach compares a player to his son then imo they have a close relationship. Almost like that of a father son relationship.</div> Actually it was Pat Croce that threatened to trade Iverson to the Clippers. During his earlier years in Philly some though it was Larry Brown that was constantly pushing Iverson when in actuality is was Pat Croce. And I see how two-faced Larry Brown was when he stepped down as head coach of the 76ers. At first he took shots at Iverson thinking Iverson would respond back in that matter. Instead when Iverson shared his thoughts on Brown departure he decided to praise Brown and wish him the best of luck instead of taking shots at him, that's when Brown got all sentimental. BTW I would really like to know what this quote is all about (Referring to the Championship) ?I definitely feel like it?s coming.? Does this mean something?
There realtionship was really bad at first,when Croce hired Larry Brown Brow even said he wanted nothing to do with Allen Iverson.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post"> BTW I would really like to know what this quote is all about (Referring to the Championship) ?I definitely feel like it?s coming.? Does this mean something?</div> I cant give you a sure anserwer but I think AIs gonna give it his all this year and the next one,etc. HE really wants to win a championship. Especaillly that Brown has won one. I believe the year after this one the 76ers could be title contenders.
I agree i think iverson is going to come out and play extremely hard this year, he is finally back at his rightful posistion, so i think we can expect him to pass a bit more this year then last year. We will definatly make the playoffs this year but we need to make a deal for a star this offseason without trading iverson in the process, then i will think he wave a shot at the championship, either way we will make the playoffs..
The Sixers have way too many holes if they plan on being title contenders. I believe we're a guarantee Playoff team, however being labeled as title contenders is way out of proportion. We could hope that we make the EC Finals, but even if we do, we would end up facing Miami, Detroit or Indiana which aren't easy opponents.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">The Sixers have way too many holes if they plan on being title contenders. I believe we're a guarantee Playoff team, however being labeled as title contenders is way out of proportion. We could hope that we make the EC Finals, but even if we do, we would end up facing Miami, Detroit or Indiana which aren't easy opponents.</div> Any team with AI has to be considered a contender imo. He is a two time scoring champ, all star mvp, league mvp, olympic saptin, and has lead the league in steals the last few years, as well as being a former rookie of the year. He can carry any team on his back and make them contenders. He did it once in 2001 and can do it again. The only peace we dont have from that team on the team any more is mutombo and snow. Everyone else is still around also I forgot we dont have lynch, but the core of dalembert, salmons, iggy, robinson, and thomas can fit in for those players more than well. If they sign a big star or get one that can fit into the teams new run and gun consept on offense they can very well be ligit title contenders. The pistons and pacers are not easy to beat for any team in the east doesnt mean that all other teams in the east arent contenders. IMO any team that makes it to the finals are serious title contenders in terms of the fact there are 8 teams left in there division and 1 of those teams are them. Its a whole new season with no back to back games. Play hard and work for it and you can possible get to the finals like the pistons proved to us this season they didnt win any of there series easy on there way to the finals having a tough series with new jersey a tough one with the bucks and going 6 games with the pacers. Yet they were a team they worked hard and got there the sixers could do the same.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Any team with AI has to be considered a contender imo. He is a two time scoring champ, all star mvp, league mvp, olympic saptin, and has lead the league in steals the last few years, as well as being a former rookie of the year.</div> Your point is? Awards such as Rookie of the Year, All-Star Game MVP and so on doesn?t really mean anything it just shows how great of a player he is, and we all already know how great of a player he is, so that?s just basically trying to boost his credibility in turning the 76ers to Title Contenders. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He can carry any team on his back and make them contenders. He did it once in 2001 and can do it again. The only peace we dont have from that team on the team any more is mutombo and snow. Everyone else is still around also I forgot we dont have lynch, but the core of dalembert, salmons, iggy, robinson, and thomas can fit in for those players more than well.</div> But that was in 2001 Pure Skillz, which was 3 years ago. And we lost MUCH more than Mutumbo and Snow. We also lost Larry Brown the Hall of Fame coach we once had. Not to mention we also lost a younger and healthier Allen Iverson as well. And lastly, do you remember Tyrone Hill? He helped us out tremendously, he was right there to get the put-backs, offensive/defensive rebounds he was a beast down in the low post. And you've also mentioned players like Iguodala, Dalembart and Salmons. Note these are VERY young players? compared to more experienced players such as Snow, Mutombo, Hill etc... And despite the hype surrounding Iguodala he hasn?t even played an OFFICIAL NBA game yet, as far as we know he could be a bust, which I highly doubt but you never know. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font color="red">If</font> they sign a big star or get one that can fit into the teams new run and gun consept on offense they can very well be ligit title contenders. The pistons and pacers are not easy to beat for any team in the east doesnt mean that all other teams in the east arent contenders. IMO any team that makes it to the finals are serious title contenders in terms of the fact there are 8 teams left in there division and 1 of those teams are them. Its a whole new season with no back to back games. Play hard and work for it and you can possible get to the finals like the pistons proved to us this season they didnt win any of there series easy on there way to the finals having a tough series with new jersey a tough one with the bucks and going 6 games with the pacers. Yet they were a team they worked hard and got there the sixers could do the same.</div> Unfortunately, we don't have that big star that can make us legit title contenders. But for now we could only proclaim ourselves as title contenders in actuality we?re not.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">Your point is? Awards such as Rookie of the Year, All-Star Game MVP and so on doesn?t really mean anything it just shows how great of a player he is, and we all already know how great of a player he is, so that?s just basically trying to boost his credibility in turning the 76ers to Title Contenders.</div> Those awards I mentioned to show that he can put a team on his make and drive them to the finals. Or a healthy AI will make them a very talented team with the poential to go very far in the playoffs. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">But that was in 2001 Pure Skillz, which was 3 years ago. And we lost MUCH more than Mutumbo and Snow. We also lost Larry Brown the Hall of Fame coach we once had. Not to mention we also lost a younger and healthier Allen Iverson as well. And lastly, do you remember Tyrone Hill? He helped us out tremendously, he was right there to get the put-backs, offensive/defensive rebounds he was a beast down in the low post. And you've also mentioned players like Iguodala, Dalembart and Salmons. Note these are VERY young players? compared to more experienced players such as Snow, Mutombo, Hill etc... And despite the hype surrounding Iguodala he hasn?t even played an OFFICIAL NBA game yet, as far as we know he could be a bust, which I highly doubt but you never know.</div> Youth in the nba can be a liability at time, but it can also be a very important factor for a teams success. The NBA is revolutinising the way they play and what type of people they build around youth is every were now. For example the average age of team usa is 27.3 years old there is no one on the team over the age of 30. I know that is in part because alot dropped out, but it shows teams are building now a days around young talent that can take them far. Last years playoffs was an example rookie dwyane wade lead the heat on a great playoff run not letting them lose home court advantage once in the playoff until the final game when they were eliminated. Also I agree I forgot about tyrone hill he was a hell of a defensive force for us, but we have the depth now to make up for his lose imo. There are some people on the sixers team who can be good defenders like salmons and iggy although going back to your point they are young youth means more athletism meaning the ability to make bigger plays look at tayshawn prince and his play on reggie miller that saved the game for the pistons he was young, but athletic and that got them a win. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">Unfortunately, we don't have that big star that can make us legit title contenders. But for now we could only proclaim ourselves as title contenders in actuality we?re not.</div> Yeah we dont have that big star yet, but he is coming. With all the dealing they have been doing this off season I would be surprised if they dont make another deal before camp. They have been intrested in alot of players this off season and will probable get at least one free agent or a second option if they trade robinson. Also lets not rule out the fact that glenn may be that superstar we never got to see if he could be that last season since he missed 40 games I believe. Though I dont think he will be it is a possiblity. You made some excellent points on why the sixers may not yet be title contenders. I agree with most of them, but they have taken the needed steps to become contenders and in the east with the in consistancy of the pacers, the lack of depth of the heat, and the questions around detroit over how wallace will behave now that he got payed and it is his full seaosn there or how the team will cope with the lose of okur and the signing of mcdyess. The east is wide open.
We don't have a big star and our defense is not set, without those two factors, the 2nd round is the only breath of fresh air that we might get. Comparing the '01 team to this years team is absurd, then we had Mutumbo, now we have Dalembert, then we had Hill, now we have Thomas, then we had defensive stoppers such as Snow, and McKie, now we have who? Defense wins championships, offense just makes the highlight reels. Until we bring in a solid big man that is athletic, and can run and actually has experience we won't go to the road less traveled. Most likely we will wait on Samuel to develop in which case we will never get a championship with Allen. He will be far too old by that time, so will Kenny, and our only younger players will be Dalembert and Iguodale. Iguodala would still not be in his prime, or anywhere close to it. To think of a championship run, is retarted.
