The city of Philadelphia has endured success in the past two years on the baseball diamond with the Phillies winning a World Series and making it back to the October classic this season. The Eagles always play tough in the highly touted NFC East Conference. Now, the Sixers in the Atlantic Division of the NBA have endured ups and downs with some talented players, but can’t get over the hump. The Sixers have started this season with a 5-13 record and are in the midst of a seven game losing streak.
The best thing about this scenario is that Allen Iverson put Sixers basketball on the map before his departure for Denver. Leading the team to the NBA Finals against the Lakers in 2001, putting up eye-popping numbers and breaking records, this is where Iverson belongs. The Sixers need him on the roster to help rejuvenate the energy that was once bestowed upon the Pennsylvania city. The most recent lack of talent in the tri-state area for NBA franchises has really not helped ticket sales and franchise costs overall. Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey are all struggling, the Nets being the worst. The return of Iverson will indeed help ticket sales and fill the arena more than it has during this young season.
The part of this deal that reminisces the talent of Iverson basically speaks for itself. Even at the age of 34, Iverson is still a baller. His tenacity and love for the game has been on full display with his hard play night in and night out. Bringing that type of toughness back to the city that endured his many feats is a great thing for both Iverson and the Sixers franchise. Teaming with Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Samuel Dalembert, Willie Green and the talented Thaddeus Young can really develop a mixture for success. The downfall in this equation maybe the reason Iverson was landed in the first place. The injury to Louis Williams who was really playing well is expected to sideline him for an excess of eight weeks.
What can Iverson bring to this team that the Sixers have today? Well, besides playing hard every night, his leadership. I know critics and coaches around the league have questioned his leadership and his demeanor. But look at what this guy has done. For his size, he is a top scorer, can create shots and points in the paint with his shifty quickness. Iverson gets into passing lanes and disrupts other guards on defense. The only real question is when he will show up to his first, “practice” man.
Iverson was looking for a team to take a chance and give him an opportunity. When rumblings of retirement were surfacing, you had to know it wouldn’t be for long. The Knicks didn’t take the gamble, which is still bogging my mind because they could use a tough nose player in Iverson. Now, back in Philadelphia, Iverson can take the floor and show the Knicks and the rest of the league what he still has in the tank. In that tank, I believe is another two seasons of tough basketball and the ability to lead a team back to the playoffs.
Need More? Allen Iverson,NBA,Philadelphia 76ers
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