Iverson Wants Out

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Stephen A. Smith | Iverson's itch to win

By Stephen A. Smith

Inquirer Columnist


We have seen this act before in Philadelphia, in which a franchise and its franchise player, touched by adversity too many times, find themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum.

But while trapped by their own championship aspirations, even during an epic tug-of-war between Larry Brown and Allen Iverson, the 76ers never appeared stagnant and flummoxed by their own ineptitude, unsure of what to do or when to do it - plagued by what has undoubtedly become a primary concern now.

Specifically, Allen Iverson wants out of Philadelphia. Unless the Sixers get a credible team on the floor. Preferably now! Several sources confirmed yesterday that Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, met with Sixers president and general manager Billy King on Friday.

Iverson, although happy with some parts of the team, is far from excited about the roster presently assembled. He isn't happy about being part of a rebuilding project in his ninth season in the league.

"He wants to win now," one source close to Iverson said. "This is not about him being interested in leaving the Sixers or the fans in Philadelphia. He loves it here and loves being here. But the bottom line is that he doesn't want to be here if this team isn't trying to win right now.

"It's no secret [the Sixers] are mediocre, that he has no secondary offensive option to help him out. And by the looks of things, he isn't about to get any help, either. At some point, you start asking yourself, 'What else can I do?' A.I. has done that. Now he's flat-out asked the Sixers, 'If you can't make this situation any better, after all I've done, can you please at least do me a favor and get me out of here?' "

King, clearly perturbed when asked about the subject, had little to say: "I talked with Allen extensively and I'm not about to comment on what was said or what will come of it."

Iverson confirmed that his agent met with King to express unhappiness with the Sixers' current set of circumstances: "Go ahead. Say what you have to say."

Considering that the Sixers are still wondering whether they'll even qualify for the playoffs, Iverson's patience has clearly been exhausted. And who knows how annoyed he'll get once the NBA's Feb. 24 trading deadline comes and goes and the Sixers have done nothing?

There were rumors that Keith Van Horn and Joe Smith could have come to Philadelphia weeks ago for "Big Dog" Glenn Robinson and Corliss Williamson. In recent days, there was speculation that Latrell Sprewell could end up here for Robinson if the Sixers were willing to part with Willie Green as well, which they were not.

And for those who believe either deal would qualify as a remedy to the Sixers' problems, I'll join Iverson in asking, "What world are you living in?"

The bad thing about this whole fiasco-in-waiting is that the Sixers will be pretty ticked off with Iverson. The good news is that Iverson couldn't care less.

He says he's been upset with coach Jim O'Brien for weeks for what are perceived as mind games played to the detriment of Green, Samuel Dalembert, Kenny Thomas, Marc Jackson and others; and for O'Brien's private assertion that Iverson could be doing more to help this team win. But Iverson also has been fuming over the frequent presence of former interim coach Chris Ford at games and practices.

The former three-time scoring champion, one-time league MVP and 2004-05 scoring leader doesn't appreciate seeing Ford, with whom he had numerous run-ins last season, walking around as a member of the organization, its pro-personnel scout.

"I can tell you this," another of Iverson's friends said, "A.I. does not like that man. He felt totally disrespected by [Ford] throughout last season. And for the Sixers to presently have him employed with the organization, allowed to walk around, sitting in suites with Billy King, acting as if nothing ever happened, is extremely insulting to A.I. He talks about it every single day."

This is not good.

It's true that Iverson signed a four-year, $76 million extension, scheduled to kick in next season. It's true that because of it, he is not going anywhere the Sixers don't want him to go.

But it's also true that he is averaging 29.7 points per game. That he's fresh off a 60-point explosion. That the reason the Sixers are 26-26, and in contention for a division crown, is primarily because of Iverson's presence and penchant for being among the league leaders in steals and assists, just as he is right now.

It's one thing for Iverson to have a problem. It's another thing when he's asking, "What are you going to do about it?"

Especially if you're the Sixers. He's all you've got.

it'd be the oddest thing to see AI in a diff jersey. He does have a point, the Sixers haven't given him a 2nd option, just role players.

Well every second option that has come to the team has been shipped out because they didn't work well with AI, and then their was GRob who was just an idiot.

trade him to Rockets for Weatherspoon, Mo Taylor, and some picks

I didn't expect this.. I always keep seeing that AI wants to be in Philly till the end of his career, but I can see why, from that article, he wants out.

Iverson bitching about NOT having a 2nd option?

please.

AI has never displayed the capability to co-exist with another superstar. He's been running off potential sidekicks since his pre-corn row days, and who's to say he's gonna change now.

Glen Robinson is merely the "little dog" now, but he can still put points on the boards and do a few things, but where's he been? why hasn't he been playing?

Despite his IR status, its pretty much known he's not out there cause he and AI can't share the rock.

GRob shared it with Ray and Sam in Milwaukee, so I say the blame falls on AI.

Iverson needs to stop bitching about his team's predicament and check himself. If he knew how to defer to other star players, he wouldn't be in the middle of a rebuilding project.

trade him to Rockets for Weatherspoon, Mo Taylor, and some picks

I don't think anyone, let alone Billy King, would be dumb enough to make that trade.

maybe if you load him up on crystal meth.

Maybe he could come to Miami for Eddie Jones, Malik Allen and some picks...
We would win the title 100% with AI!

AI has never displayed the capability to co-exist with another superstar. He's been running off potential sidekicks since his pre-corn row days, and who's to say he's gonna change now

Yup, their's a reason he hasn't had a sidekick, they've all been kicked out, but he's gotten older, and I guess it finally hit him that you can't win it alone with some scorers, shooters, role players, but no other major option on the team.

Iverson hasnt kicked anyone out, he never forced stackhouse, or KVH, or Larry Hughes out. The sixers anagement made these trades and they should be held accountable...

But I wouldnt mind seeing Iverson in Minnesota with KG, that would be an awesome duo.

Iverson and some contract to Minesotta for Sprewell, someone else, and a first round draft pick when Minnesotta finally get's one.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Allen Iverson says he wants to play the rest of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers.

``I want to be right here,'' Iverson said after Tuesday's practice. ``If I could have a wish, I would wish it's the last time I have to say that. I would wish people would know this is where I want to be.''

Iverson was responding to a story in Tuesday's edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer that said his agent met with Sixers president Billy King last week to express the star guard's unhappiness over the direction of the team and that he wanted to be traded if there weren't roster upgrades.

King did meet with Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, but insisted Tuesday he does not have an unhappy All-Star on his team.

``He never asked to be traded and he does not want to be traded,'' King said.

Iverson wants to remain a 76er

Last edited by fgrep15 on Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:46 am, edited 1 time in total.

I really didn't believe this article after all of the times AI has said he wants to remain a Sixer for the rest of his career. Besides, it was by Stephen A. Smith, who I thin kis either a drunk or on drugs.

i see a article on espn saying that iverson wants to remain a sixer but then i see this bullshit from stephen a. smith in the philadelphia inquirer. nice hypocrisy anyways maybe iversons figured out that you can't win with a team built just around himself. about time he figured it out. now if only kobe could figure it out too, maybe we'd have an interesting finals, kobe vs. iverson

AI wants to stay... but he wants a better supporting cast. Think about what AI and Dikeme would have done if both were in their primes!

AI is one of the FEW superstars in the NBA ( We talking about 5 or 6 players) who won't do sillyness like this.
he may not win a ring like reggie, but i am sure the city of philly will support him like indiana supports reggie.

He WILL stay for the rest of his career in Philly (unless he tries to do a Malone when he's like 37 ). Right now, he's not the type of player that whines about losing, and he just plays and try to win and help his team in every way he can. Go Iverson

hell stay

thats a guarentee

yeah, he wants to be a sixer for life and he loves Philly. he'll only leave if the management wants him to leave.