Allen Iverson to announce retirement.

[JimiCliff]

In case you haven't seen this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckp8CsIEReY

A long interview with AI by (the normally unlistenable/unwatchable/unreadable) Stephen A. Smith. Fantastic watching. Great insight into his character.

[JimiCliff]

Yeah, that's a pretty valid point.

Unfortunately, AI's attitude basically led to him blacklisting himself from the NBA. It's too bad really. He just couldn't deal with having a lesser role. I don't even think that would necessarily have to be off the bench, but yeah, teams were just too afraid to bring someone in who A) can't live with a diminished role, and B) hates "practice". Doesn't really make a manager think "this guy would be good for this situation".

AI's a great example of the importance of character. He even had a great competitive spirit, and was generally not a bad character in a lot of ways. Just that ego that he couldn't keep in check. To this day I think it's because Philly never put a legitimate 2nd leader on those teams that could challenge him, especially when he was young. Never had a real mentor, or someone to hold him accountable.

It's possible, though, that there was no one in the league who could have effectively done those things. Dude was insanely hardheaded.

[white men can't jump]

Don't really know what happened to AI because he was great in his final year w/ the Nuggets. The year before that he averaged 26ppg.

In his first and last year with Detroit he averaged 17ppg, still pretty good IMO. His numbers dropped when he returned to Philly because he was a 6th man for them.

In his final year w/ the NBA playing for the the Grizzlies he didn't get much minutes. But he still averaged 12ppg.

After that season i believe AI said that he's still an NBA caliber starter. And said that he'd rather not play than play for a team that wouldn't let him play starter minutes.

And that time i really felt like the Raptors would be a great fit for him because AI can play the 2 and the 1. Our SG and PG that time was Jose Calderon and a very raw DeMar DeRozan.

My point that year was, if we're not making the playoffs then as a fan i want to be entertained. I want to see AI play.

Yeah, that's a pretty valid point.

Unfortunately, AI's attitude basically led to him blacklisting himself from the NBA. It's too bad really. He just couldn't deal with having a lesser role. I don't even think that would necessarily have to be off the bench, but yeah, teams were just too afraid to bring someone in who A) can't live with a diminished role, and B) hates "practice". Doesn't really make a manager think "this guy would be good for this situation".

AI's a great example of the importance of character. He even had a great competitive spirit, and was generally not a bad character in a lot of ways. Just that ego that he couldn't keep in check. To this day I think it's because Philly never put a legitimate 2nd leader on those teams that could challenge him, especially when he was young. Never had a real mentor, or someone to hold him accountable.

[The Great One]

Don't really know what happened to AI because he was great in his final year w/ the Nuggets. The year before that he averaged 26ppg.

In his first and last year with Detroit he averaged 17ppg, still pretty good IMO. His numbers dropped when he returned to Philly because he was a 6th man for them.

In his final year w/ the NBA playing for the the Grizzlies he didn't get much minutes. But he still averaged 12ppg.

After that season i believe AI said that he's still an NBA caliber starter. And said that he'd rather not play than play for a team that wouldn't let him play starter minutes.

And that time i really felt like the Raptors would be a great fit for him because AI can play the 2 and the 1. Our SG and PG that time was Jose Calderon and a very raw DeMar DeRozan.

My point that year was, if we're not making the playoffs then as a fan i want to be entertained. I want to see AI play.

[Joey]

Iverson brought new meaning to the word entitlement.

...you spelt excitement wrong.

[stretch]

Iverson brought new meaning to the word entitlement.

[rocwell]

No matter how this dude handled his career end, but he was one of the best (and most selfish?) players in the NBA history, sadly he left without a ring.

[Joey]

I'm pretty blown away by the comments on here.

Whatever, he can now start his march toward the HOF.

[isaacthompson]

Anyhow, this is a sad sight. Ended off his career horribly.

[isaacthompson]

I didn't know people still needed to announce their retirement after not playing in 4 years

Publicity stunt maybe?

[tucas]

I didn't know people still needed to announce their retirement after not playing in 4 years

[rocwell]

He's looking for a coaching job. Can't wait to "practice."

I also trying to figure out where's the catch...

[stretch]

He's looking for a coaching job. Can't wait to "practice."

[rocwell]

loooooool i thought this was real untill i clicked on the thread..
yep i feel dumb..

This is actual real

He hasn't made any official retirement decisions. Until now.

EDIT: You know it was hard for him, he went broke and stuff. He needed to wait 3 years to announce retirement.

[lilmamba_]

loooooool i thought this was real untill i clicked on the thread..
yep i feel dumb..