<div align="center"> </div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Not long after a first-round loss in the playoffs to the Pistons, Chris Webber confided to several close friends that playing with Allen Iverson drove him crazy. "I can't play with him," Webber told one old friend. "He dribbles too much." Webber apparently isn't very confident that he and Iverson can make a successful tandem starting next season. After lamenting Iverson's me-first approach, he told his pal: "I'd take a pay cut to get out of there." It's not as if Webber wasn't warned by people in the know that it would be close to impossible to work with Iverson. When he first became a Sixer at February's trading deadline, he ran into an old Big Ten pal, Glenn Robinson. The Sixers had once hoped that Big Dog would be the running buddy who would taking scoring pressure off Iverson, just as they once incorrectly envisioned Keith Van Horn in that very same role. But Robinson, who also had problems with Iverson, shared some prophetic words with Webber. "You won't able to play with him," the Big Dog warned. </div> <div align="center">Source</div>
I've been saying forever that Iverson is probably the toughest player to play with and is not an MVP. People think he's so great and think he gets no support whatsoever. Fact is that everyone who leaves the Sixers always gets better. But it took Chris Webber to show us that who ever plays with Iverson has to defer to him and struggles because of it. But then you will have those people who still think that it's just his team and that he's the only real reason why the Sixers can win.
This article comes out of the NY Daily News, which is known for BS reports. And in my opinion according to friends isn't a very reliable source last off-season there were reports of Webber's friends saying he wantedto play for the Lakers when Shaq was up for trade later on Webber came out and squashed those rumors. So unless I hear from Webber himself, then I'm not going to believe any reports of this matter. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I've been saying forever that Iverson is probably the toughest player to play with and is not an MVP. People think he's so great and think he gets no support whatsoever. Fact is that everyone who leaves the Sixers always gets better. But it took Chris Webber to show us that who ever plays with Iverson has to defer to him and struggles because of it. But then you will have those people who still think that it's just his team and that he's the only real reason why the Sixers can win.</div> Fact is? Who has gotten better after leaving the Sixers and Iverson?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">This article comes out of the NY Daily News, which is known for BS reports. And in my opinion according to friends isn't a very reliable source last off-season there were reports of Webber's friends saying he wantedto play for the Lakers when Shaq was up for trade later on Webber came out and squashed those rumors. So unless I hear from Webber himself, then I'm not going to believe any reports of this matter. Fact is? Who has gotten better after leaving the Sixers and Iverson?</div>Recently? Brian Skinner and Kenny Thomas.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Heat4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">Recently? Brian Skinner and Kenny Thomas.</div> hughes, harpring, stackhouse, and i guess many more
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Recently? Brian Skinner and Kenny Thomas.</div> Kenny Thomas has played better because he is out of Philadelphia, not because he is not playing with AI. Also, Thomas and Coach O'Brien did not get along very well. Anyways KT doesn't even look like he gave the 76ers the same effort he is giving to the Kings. Yeah Skinner is playing better look how many minutes he got with the Sixers, barely any how is that Iverson's fault? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">hughes, harpring, stackhouse, and i guess many more</div> This topic has already been discussed in a thread of your own, and in my opinion perfectly said by Avery; <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">Well it seems that he failed to mention how Larry Hughes was playing in his rookie year when teamed up with Iverson. And comparing a player from his rookie season to his best season is not very convincing if you're trying to make an argument. Playing with a superstar in Philadelphia to playing with role players in Utah your stats are going to make a significant change, obviously. Oh and I suppose it Iverson fault that Bowen only played 42 games and averaged just 7.4 minutes per game? Last time I checked that was the coach decision. If anything the coach should be questioned for that issue. I'm not going to break this whole thing down again. This has been discussed way too many times. But to be concise, having not one but two play makers on the court simutanesouly do take time. It takes a whole training camp and preseason for things to workout. I can promise you by next season Iverson and Webber will form one of thee best duos in the league (chemistry wise). </div>
This is the same plot the "Vince Wants Out" story rode last year. Friends and sources were rumbling that he wants out, while Vince was silent. Most of us downplayed those sources and said they were not accurate, two months later, our friend Vince comes out and makes it public. So don't brush it off just yet.
as a journalism student, i must say that this is very fishy of the NY daily news to write such a potentially inflamatory article based only on sources named as "friends of chris webber". i wouldn't be surprised if it's true, and i would be even less surprised if webber does in fact want out, but the way that this is presented isn't very professional. and to the guys who don't like iverson and don't think he's an mvp, let me tell you this. i never really liked the guy before this year. i thought he was selfish, that he didn't like getting his teammates involved. i thought he was all about himself. but this year he really showed me something. his style isn't compatible with having another star next to him, true. but if he keeps getting help from his young role players, watch philly take off. i really have respect for the guy now, and just cuz his style isn't perfect for a team game, it has saved philly's ass time and time again. he's earned the right to be a ball hog, as far as i'm concerned, because he has the ability and desire to do amazing things. usually i don't like guys who dominate the ball, but there is just something about AI...
I wouldnt be suprised if this was true, even though the source might have guessed most of it. I never like the trade from the first place, Iverson is a one man show and you cant bring in another star, it just wont work. I hope Webber can get out and go to another team.
I think this is the best time for BK to trade Iverson. His value is at a very high point, and would get the most for him. As many people indicated, Iverson is a tough cat to play with. So the chances of them building a championship calibre team are very slim with Allen on the team, and that's no shot at him, it's his style and he can't change it now. If I'm King, I'll start listening for offers, and maybe initiate some of them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NBAFan4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">wow... this suprised me... who will he go to? Maybe hell take that paycut then come back to Sac?</div> Ok, then give us Cuttino Mobley. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">This article comes out of the NY Daily News, which is known for BS reports. And in my opinion according to friends isn't a very reliable source last off-season there were reports of Webber's friends saying he wantedto play for the Lakers when Shaq was up for trade later on Webber came out and squashed those rumors. So unless I hear from Webber himself, then I'm not going to believe any reports of this matter. Fact is? Who has gotten better after leaving the Sixers and Iverson?</div> Larry Hughes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NBAFan4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">wow... this suprised me... who will he go to? Maybe hell take that paycut then come back to Sac?</div> Webber won't go anywhere and if he does Sacramento is one of the last places he'll go.He said himself that I don't want to be there where they don't want me. He could be in Sacramento if he would've wanted to cause he was able to pull a "Matt Geiger" on this deal but he didn't.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Larry Hughes.</div> The 76ers gave up on Hughes after drafting him. He played two years with the 76ers and only played 20 minutes a game. Not to mention he was a high school player coming straight to the NBA. It took him a couple of seasons to develop how is that Iverson's fault that he wasn't producing with Philly as a young guy. When traded he got 20 more minutes in Golden State and therefore his production increased.
Heat4life u need to hold ur motherf***** horses u are talkin about one of the best players in the nba. Ai can't help that chris webber time is over and that he came to a team that he is not the star player anymore. Ai did his job for 8-9 years he has carried philadelphia for to long i would hate for him to go out without a championship like charles and some more people " still got love for u charles" but back to what i was saying if webber dosen't like what is going on then he can get the f*** out of Philly Holla.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">I think this is the best time for BK to trade Iverson. His value is at a very high point, and would get the most for him. As many people indicated, Iverson is a tough cat to play with. So the chances of them building a championship calibre team are very slim with Allen on the team, and that's no shot at him, it's his style and he can't change it now. If I'm King, I'll start listening for offers, and maybe initiate some of them.</div> Remove AI from the Sixers and they'll be like the 05 Hornets...He's the cornerstone of that franchise...And maybe Webber isn't just the right guy....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Martin:</div><div class="quote_post">Webber won't go anywhere and if he does Sacramento is one of the last places he'll go.He said himself that I don't want to be there where they don't want me. He could be in Sacramento if he would've wanted to cause he was able to pull a "Matt Geiger" on this deal but he didn't.</div> yahh...it's true..but it's prolly also because he's getting pretty old now...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">The 76ers gave up on Hughes after drafting him. He played two years with the 76ers and only played 20 minutes a game. Not to mention he was a high school player coming straight to the NBA. It took him a couple of seasons to develop how is that Iverson's fault that he wasn't producing with Philly as a young guy. When traded he got 20 more minutes in Golden State and therefore his production increased.</div> Huh? Since when did Hughes come out of highschool? I actually wouldn't say he wasn't producing, 10.0 PPG | 3.2 RPG | 1.5 APG | 1.08 SPG from a second year player who had barely turned 20 years old, and was only getting 20 MPG is not lack of production, it's great production. Even as a rookie he put up pretty good numbers for his minutes.
In the recent Dime Magazine (OJ Mayo cover), Larry Hughes regrets leaving the 76ers. "As much as I hate to say it, asking for a trade out of Philly my second year was a mistake." I don't think you can single out Iverson for players leaving and then putting up better numbers. I also agree, Iverson is probably the toughest player to play with and he's tough to build your franchise around. It seems the only coach who figured out how to win with Iverson was Larry Brown. He was the only one who came to the conclusion to build the team with defensive role players, instead of trying to add another superstar with AI. Let's also not buy too, much into Glenn Robinson of all people either. He's never been the role model for being an unselfish team player and he has always been a liability on defense. It's nice to see him change his attitude in San Antonio, but it took him 11 seasons to learn how to take a charge. I remember Webber saying he's looking forward to getting back in shape this off-season and making a run with Iverson next year. He said he enjoys the city of Philly, because the city and the fans embraced him from the start. If the 76ers can bring everyone back (Dalembert, Korver, & Green) and stay healthy, they'll have a chance to challenge for the Atlantic Division title and have success in the playoffs.
