There was a time when this story would have been a blockbuster. It would have dominated the headlines, and been talked about endlessly on sports talk radio.
Now it is met only by snickers, the rolling of eyes, and the wonder of just how far the Philadelphia 76ers have sunk on our sports radar.
The Sixers apparently are toying with the idea of bringing back a certain former all-star. Maybe you’ve heard of him. His name is Allen Iverson.
That’s right, brace yourself for the return of A.I. Maybe.
The Sixers certainly have a need. They lost young point guard Lou Williams for six to eight weeks last week when he suffered a fractured jaw.
But that’s not really what this move is about. The Sixers have a much bigger need. They need to put some fans in the seats. And they need to matter again.
A.I. would certainly do that. But I’m not sure what else it would accomplish, other than delay the inevitable, that the Sixers are in the midst of a massive rebuilding. It is not going to happen overnight.
The Sixers are a bad team, and they’re not going to get better overnight.
Then again they’re not going to get all that better by adding Iverson, either. Instead they will blunt the development of any other players, as Iverson once again becomes the focus of their universe.
Since leaving the Sixers, Iverson has had mostly unsuccessful stints in Denver, Detroit, and then finally an almost comical stop with the Grizzlies. That one lasted about three games. Iverson made it clear he had no desire to come off the bench, which apparently is the reason Memphins acquired him. And yes, you would think maybe that topic might have been discussed before the Grizzlies signed Iverson.
Would he come here and be content to be an offensive presence off the bench? Unlikely. Instead he more likely would be a disruptive presence, bringing coach Eddie Jordan’s motion offense to a stop as all roads would go through Iverson.
Jordan over the weekend looked to downplay talk of the Sixers acquiring their former all-star.
Good for him. Allen Iverson’s time is over. The Sixers need to move on.
Sure, they likely would sell a few more tickets with Iverson in the lineup.
But it would be a mistake, something this organization has made all too many of in recent years.
Now it is met only by snickers, the rolling of eyes, and the wonder of just how far the Philadelphia 76ers have sunk on our sports radar.
The Sixers apparently are toying with the idea of bringing back a certain former all-star. Maybe you’ve heard of him. His name is Allen Iverson.
That’s right, brace yourself for the return of A.I. Maybe.
The Sixers certainly have a need. They lost young point guard Lou Williams for six to eight weeks last week when he suffered a fractured jaw.
But that’s not really what this move is about. The Sixers have a much bigger need. They need to put some fans in the seats. And they need to matter again.
A.I. would certainly do that. But I’m not sure what else it would accomplish, other than delay the inevitable, that the Sixers are in the midst of a massive rebuilding. It is not going to happen overnight.
The Sixers are a bad team, and they’re not going to get better overnight.
Then again they’re not going to get all that better by adding Iverson, either. Instead they will blunt the development of any other players, as Iverson once again becomes the focus of their universe.
Since leaving the Sixers, Iverson has had mostly unsuccessful stints in Denver, Detroit, and then finally an almost comical stop with the Grizzlies. That one lasted about three games. Iverson made it clear he had no desire to come off the bench, which apparently is the reason Memphins acquired him. And yes, you would think maybe that topic might have been discussed before the Grizzlies signed Iverson.
Would he come here and be content to be an offensive presence off the bench? Unlikely. Instead he more likely would be a disruptive presence, bringing coach Eddie Jordan’s motion offense to a stop as all roads would go through Iverson.
Jordan over the weekend looked to downplay talk of the Sixers acquiring their former all-star.
Good for him. Allen Iverson’s time is over. The Sixers need to move on.
Sure, they likely would sell a few more tickets with Iverson in the lineup.
But it would be a mistake, something this organization has made all too many of in recent years.
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