Iverson needs to change attitude quick

July 9, 10:04 AMDelaware Basketball ExaminerJonathan Marshall

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(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

I remember Allen Iverson crossing over Michael Jordan in his rookie year, the endless highlight plays every night, the cornrows, and stepping over Tyrone Lue in the 2001 finals season. I also remember reporters outside of his home with allegations of domestic abuse, brushes with coaches, and the statement that shall forever live in sound bite lore, “We talking about practice”.

This sense of nostalgia came upon me when I heard on a television program that Iverson could possibly fade into oblivion. The thought of Iverson’s legacy being a journey man and a malcontent finally hit me.

The free agent signing period began on Wednesday. Word around the league is that Iverson, who is a free agent after being traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons, will have to wait a while before a team comes knocking on his door. Names such as Jason Kidd, Ben Gordon, Trevor Ariza, Ron Artest, and Hedo Turkoglu, have been all the rage early on.

Teams are no longer willing to take a chance on the talented yet sometimes hard to deal with Iverson. It seems as if he has gone back his nickname when he first entered the league in 1996, “The Question”.

But it wasn’t supposed to end like this.

The first time I saw AI play his rookie season, I was hooked. I could not get enough. I would tape SportsCenter every morning and watch his highlights over and over when I got home from school. There was something about this little guy embarrassing grown men. Trying to guard him was like holding water in the palm of your hands.

My fascination extended out to the court. I would pattern my game after his and wear his signature Reeboks. I even sported cornrows for a period of time.

I rode the wave of the Iverson era in Philly. During his tenure here, he was one of the NBA’s most explosive scorers. That may have been his downfall however. To be effective, he needs the ball in his hands. I always thought that if he had that Pippen to his Jordan, he would no doubt be an NBA champion. One by one they all came and went (Jerry Stackhouse, Larry Hughes, Toni Kukoc, Keith Van Horn, Chris Webber, etc.).

Fans did get a taste of that elusive championship against the vaunted Lakers in 2001. Decidedly over matched, I though Iverson would benefit from having that taste in his mouth and make it back eventually. I certainly thought he would end his career in a Sixers uniform. Things ended on a sour note in 2006 when he was traded to Denver.

I was happy for AI though, thinking he finally had another star alongside playing with Carmelo Anthony. But as is the story of his career, things didn’t quite work out, as he once again was traded.

Despite all of his faults, I have to say that Iverson has been my favorite player for the past thirteen years. I think what draws me and others to him is that he plays with so much heart and he stays true to himself. I looked past the hair and tattoos, and saw that he was real.

There is no questioning AI’s status among the league’s elite. He is one of the best little men that the NBA has seen, joining Isaiah Thomas, Nate ‘Tiny’ Archibald, John Stockton, and Bob Cousy. With the four scoring titles, two time All-Star MVP, league MVP, and All-NBA teams, the one thing missing on his resume is an NBA championship.

With all of his accomplishments, I always worried that Iverson would end like Karl Malone, Stockton, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, and Dominique Wilkins, who were all talented, yet still title less. It bothered me that the likes of Isaiah Rider (Lakers 2001) and Darko Millicic (Pistons 2003) won rings, but Iverson can’t.

This could be AI’s final shot at rewriting his legacy. I know that he has not been enamored with weight training and conditioning. If you are reading this AI, start a strict weight and conditioning program, work on your game, and do a self examination. Do you want to be known as one of the league’s best one man shows or a champion?

I hope he proves his doubters wrong. Maybe he will do what he has to do and change his perception around the league. Maybe he will accept a lesser, yet important role on a championship caliber team. Come next season, I hope to catch AI’s crossover on SportsCenter every morning for old time’s sake.