The Fall of A.I.

What a long, strange trip its been for Allen Iverson. Would you believe its been eight, eight years since Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers made the NBA Finals. Even after a demolition by the Lakers in 5 games, things were looking up for Iverson. He had won the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award for the first time. His coach, Larry Brown, finally seemed to connect with the temperamental superstar. The beginning of the decade looked bright for the Answer. Now here we are at the end of the decade, and the only thing left of A.I.'s career are questions. Will he ever accept coming off the bench? Would he actually retire rather than finish out his career in mediocrity? And what do we make of Iverson's legacy if this is the final chapter in his storied career?

Following his trip to the Finals, Iverson languished in Philadelphia and began a long, slow divorce with the only team he'd known in his pro career. In Philly, Iverson had transformed himself from one of the "thugs" that was ruining the league's reputation in Suburbia to the consummate warrior, a man never afraid of the competition no matter how much stronger or faster they were. But, persistent controversy hounded Iverson, even after his postseason success.

Larry Brown departed in 2003 and won a title with the rival Pistons; Iverson then bristled under new coaches Chris Ford, Jim O'Brien, and Maurice Cheeks. While his scoring didn't suffer, the 76ers did, failing to win a playoff series in the remainder of his Philly tenure. It became clear Iverson thought himself bigger than the team and wanted a fresh start. Instead of asking out of Philly in the classy way Kevin Garnett asked out of Minnesota, Iverson forced his way out by disrespecting management, coaches, teammates, and fans. He continually showed up late to team practices, refused to come off the bench, nearly missed games, and skipped team events. Iverson was starting to once again become a villain in the eyes of the public. Finally, Iverson was rescued by the Denver Nuggets during the 2006 season. Now he could actually compete for a title next to budding superstar Carmelo Anthony...or would he?

Of course, Iverson and the Nuggets was like fitting a square peg in a

round hole. Although he averaged 25.6 PPG in his one and a half seasons in Denver, he still never found the team success that had always alluded him. Now, people began to suspect Iverson's lack of trophies wasn't just the fault of a poor supporting cast. Another trade to Detroit at the start of the 2008 season meant more unhappiness for A.I. Again Iverson refused to move to the bench and averaged a career low 17.4 PPG in 54 games.

This offseason as a free agent, Iverson was viewed as an albatross. Imagine, the 6th highest scorer in NBA history was available for all 32 teams...and nobody wanted him. He finally had to settle for a last minute offer from the Memphis Grizzlies. Imagine LeBron James ten years from now signing with the Charlotte Bobcats. Sure, Iverson isn't the player he once was at 34, but he's no slouch. Maybe he can't carry a team on his back, but he can be a solid contributor on a winning team. But there is the problem for A.I. that will keep his career from continuing. He won't allow himself to be a contributor. Iverson has to be the guy. If the entire team doesn't revolve around Iverson, something's wrong. When again asked to come off the bench by Memphis, Iverson said, "I've never been a reserve all my life and I'm not going to start looking at myself as a reserve...Go look at my resume, it will show you I'm not a sixth man."

So apparently the role that was good enough for greats of the game like Havlicek and Walton isn't good enough for Iverson. Unless he gets past this mental hurdle, Iverson's career is effectively over.

Sure he may find some way out of Memphis and onto an equally bad team in need of a scoring punch. But, he will never again be the 30 PPG superstar he was. Maybe the Answer just needs a step back to adjust and accept that Father Time is the one opponent whose will is stronger than his. Maybe he once again needs to be reunited with Larry Brown, the only pro coach he's ever seemed to respect.

Or, maybe it's all over. If so, if he's effectively quit on his last two teams and been shunned by the other 30, the majority of basketball fans and pundits will see this as a black mark on his "resume". Fans years from now won't remember the warrior Iverson was, one of the top players in NBA history. Instead, most fans will remember him as a soundbite, will associate him with one word, practice. His unmistakeable drive and courage won't be remembered; instead, it will be the run-ins with the law and authority figures in his career. His one Finals appearance will be forgotten amidst his reputation as the epitome of the phrase "ball-hog", someone so selfish he put his own goals ahead of the team's.

I won't be one of those people who remembers Iverson in a totally negative light. One image will be seared into my memory years from now when I think of A.I.

This is the image I'll always remember of Iverson. Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals. Iverson stepping over Tyronn Lue after giving the Sixers a four-point lead with under a minute left in OT. It still ranks as one of the greatest individual performances I've ever seen. Against a Lakers team that would lose only one game all postseason, Iverson had 48 points and led his team to victory. For Iverson, this picture isn't worth quite 1000 words, but it sums up his career perfectly. Bold. Tough. Relentless. Unstoppable. Defiant. Controversial. Loner. Winner, because he gave his all every chance he had. That's how I'll remember Allen Iverson. By no means was he perfect or a model citizen, but you can bet I'd take him on my team any day.

What's your answer on how you'll remember the Answer, ferocious warrior, or selfish team-killer? Let us know by posting a comment. Also, we'll be back with you tomorrow for our weekly NFL recap. Until then, it's bye for now!