No Answer in Memphis

No Answer in Memphis

            A legacy is being destroyed in Memphis, as Allen Iverson has asked for a leave of absence from the Memphis Grizzlies, the only team that took a chance on the fiery guard. After missing all of preaseaon and the first couple of games, Iverson returns from a hamstring injury only to complain after the game because of how long “his butt” sat on the bench. 1 game?! Really A.I.? This is the same Iverson that was my favorite player growing up, because you knew he was a warrior. Usuallly one of the smallest players on the court, yet he weaved his way in and out which led to his career scoring average of 27.1, most among active players.

            Allen’s resume speaks for itself. A.I started his career in Philadelphia, drafted number 1 overall after spending a year in Georgetown. After winning Rookie of the Year honors and leading his team in minutes, points, and assists, Iverson would go on to make 10 straight All-Star appearances, winning numerous scoring titles and multiple All-Star MVP’s and even a league MVP, while leading his team to the NBA Finals.  Iverson was eventually delt to the Denver Nuggets, where him and Carmelo were the first two players on the same team to average over 25 a game since Pippen and Jordan. Unfortuanatly, after that experiment couldn’t pull Denver out of the first round, Iverson was sent over to the Pistons in exchange for Chauncy Billups. Which eventually led to a tumultuous year in Detroit which Iverson would go on to name, “the worst of his career.” Little did he know how much more rainy it is in Memphis.

            Iverson, even after the infamous “practice rant”, the number of controversial incidents, was always a fan favorite, proving to us its not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. Iverson bled basketball, and dedicated himself towards winning. Through all of this, Iverson is tarnishing his NBA legacy. It hurts me to see a future hall of famer, in my opinion, go out like this.

            In my eyes, Iverson definitely is slower, but has not lost his step. In only 22 minutes off the bench, he’s shooting near 58% while averaging 12.3 points and 3.7 assists a game. That’s a very good percentage for a shooting guard that is shooting a career percentage of 42 percent, but also a league leading average of 41 minutes per game is what’s killing Iverson inside. That soldiers still got game, theirs no denying that, but at this point, will any team take a risk on him? The Lakers could really use a boost in the point guard position but already having the combustible Artest on the team just may be enough. And as we saw last year with Stephon Marbury, Boston is will to take the chance to get better, but it doesn’t look like they really need much help after Rasheed Wallace came in. Regardless, would Iverson ever accept a bench role, even for the greater good of winning? Something Gary Payton did in the last year of his career with Miami to finally get that ring he deserves, and theirs no denying it, Iverson deserves a ring.

            Ego can really ruin a career. Rumor has it Iverson is gone for good from Memphis, and it would be terrible to miss out on some of the spectacular plays  Iverson does night in and night out that brings the crowd to their feet. Iverson has always been in the center of controversy, but has always had basketball to turn to. What happens now that basketball is the controversy?