By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
Allen Iverson struck gold this week.
Once the most dazzling player in the NBA that everyone admired for his willingness to take his small stature straight into the Land of the Giants, Iverson has become an afterthought in NBA circles. And, rightfully so.
The man has been banished from two teams publicly and one privately in the last fourteen months. His career was on the brink of busting quicker than any blackjack hand he’s had at the casino. While he’s stated his desire to play next year, the overlying question is this: Will a team take a final chance on The Answer?
LeBron James may have cracked the door open for AI to not only play in 2010-11, but cap his career with the ring he covets.
Allen Iverson wants to dive on the NBA hardwood next year. Can he find a team?
With LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh all signing with the Heat, and Michael Beasley being driven to the airport with a paper bag on his head, Miami now has four players under contract for next year. Even with their three second round picks, that gives the team seven players. They need more and don’t have much cap room to do it.
Sure, Mike Miller is close to joining the Three Amigos in South Beach. Yes, rumors now persist that Derek Fisher is exploring playing fourth fiddle to James. But, they still need bodies.
Iverson is sitting at home waiting for phone calls. He was sent home from Detroit when the Pistons were struggling for their playoff lives in 2009 because he didn’t see himself as a bench player. He went all summer practically begging for a chance to play. He lasted just three games in Memphis for the same reason.
Rumors of retirement were put to sleep because of a Lou Williams broken jaw. He came back home to Philly — for 25 games anyway. His daughter’s medical condition and his own marital issues apparently kept AI from finishing the season.
In recent weeks, Iverson has restated his quest to grace the NBA hardwood with his sweat one last time.
“I want to return to the NBA this season, and help any team that wants me, in any capacity that they feel that I can help,” Iverson tweeted on July 5. “I’m disappointed, and I owe my fans more than what they have seen of me the last couple seasons. However, now that my family is healthy and rock solid, I can concentrate fully on doing what I do best! At the camp, I will help teach kids some of what it takes to be successful in life. On and off the basketball court.”
When tweeting that statement, Iverson was beginning his second annual summer reality show “Groveling for a Job.” Honestly, nobody was going to take a chance on AI at this point.
The Miami Heat have star power in James, Wade and Bosh. They lack depth and a complete roster. Could AI be in the plans?
Then, he struck gold Thursday with The Decision.
The Heat need AI and AI needs the Heat. It’s a marriage made in Leon Rose’s office.
Leon Rose?
See, Leon Rose is the agent for Dictator James; he’s also AI’s agent. In fact, Leon rose to the top of the NBA agent profession based on his recruitment of Iverson from David Falk, the former King of the Agents.
You don’t think Rose wants Iverson back on the court? You don’t think he’s going to talk to James about AI joining the team?
If there is one team out there that can control Iverson’s ego at this point, it’s the Heat with James, Wade, Bosh and Pat Riley. If Iverson’s serious about just wanting to play and helping a team in any way possible, the Heat is his best option.
Aside from the agent connection, AI playing in Miami makes basketball sense. If nothing else, Iverson showed that he is willing to pass and doesn’t need to hog the rock during his brief layover in Philly last year. He was clearly a different player from the 2001 Iverson we all fell in love with.
If he has the mentality to come off the bench, sign for the veteran’s minimum and be one of the guys, Miami is where he must end up. If he truly wants that elusive NBA Championship, he knows where to go.
Thursday presented Iverson with a golden opportunity. Now, will he sacrifice the way he says he’s willing to? Will he sacrifice like Wade, Bosh and James have? And, more importantly, will Miami give him the chance to make that sacrifice?
please go to the heat ai it will work
ai will get a ring
Hell Yah. I am not by any means a bandwagon supporter. I (originally from NJ – currently in LA) hated NJ when they were good in the kidd/carter/jefferson days – but loved Phili cuz of AI. Comming to LA – I decided to hate the lakers (not a hard choice rather) – as opposed to supporting them. Now with the super team in Miami – I figure I’d hate them too. However, if AI joins – I’m a diehard fan. I go where he goes – and he should go to Miami. (Or to the Knicks to play with Amare and possibly Melo.)
Miami would be great for AI. The trio cannot win by themselves, and they will need an veteran + scoring off the bench. AI would legit help this team win – and the championship would definitely still be attributable – at least to some extent – to AI. (Even as a bench player.) –6th man of the year baby. That and a championship are about the only awards he hasn’t won yet.
Once I heard about the super trio all in Miami the first thing that came to my head was that they still dont have a point guard. Than i realized this was the perfect choice for Iverson to come in My Favorite and Dopest player in the League! Iverson will clearly know that his goal in the team is not 2 score alot just like super trio but 2 amke sure one of them has a clear shot or lane to the rim IfIverson goes to the Heat he will finally get what he deserves!
ai and heat that will be perfect and ai will get a ring and he will get the respect he deserves
Watching some of his Sixer games last year he really did defer to the other guys. Definitely wasn’t the ballhog of 10 years ago.
He’d be perfect off the bench. He still has the ability to get hot and score in bunches. Plus keeping him under 30mpg would help his body.
I am so happy. I had stop looking at basketball when A.I. stopped playing. A.I. deserves this, his family and his fans. The HEAT will not be dissappointed. WHOOOOOO!
Jace the Ace, you right.
I will follow A.I. wherever he goes.
It’s going to be like East All Star team.
pg-A.I.
sg-Wade
sf-LJ23
pf-Bosh
c-Shaq
AI will make any team better. He still has a lot to offer including more heart than anyone playing today. The Heat would be a good fit. He deserves the opportunity. He deserves the respect that is due him and has been missing the last couple of years. Please, people, have you forgotten?? This is AI were talking about–AI–The Answer. We’re talkin’ about Allen Iverson here and HE IS THE BEST!!!
The only way I will get hyped about the Heat is if AI is in the back court. It would be a great fit. He doesn’t have to prove anything. He most definitely can be a great passer with that talent around him. AI’s APG would be way up if he had legit scorers around him.
Please Miami, make this happen. This NBA francise player has earned a ring.
bring A.I bak he has alot in the tank i saw him last yer and he can still gooooooo
Iverson was a great role player last year. It gets forgotten because of the divorce and the sick child, etc. He never complained about shots or minutes. He even tutored the young guys.
Iverson wasted his prime playing with Keith Van Horn, Matt Harpring, and a one legged cocky Chris Webber.
He should be a 6th man and just get a ring with Miami. He can be instant offense. He had 15 pts against the Lakers in one quarter a few months ago. He can still do his thing for 20 minutes a night.
I was hoping Clevland picked up AI when they had the chance. Their front office has no balls. Lebron needed a support player with heart and intensity. I would love to see them on the same team; all the talk about egos is just sportswriter,commentator bias and BS. He deserves a break cause he’s genuine. Make the move Miami; you won’t regret it.
AI and Shaq would be perfect to start at PG, and Center positions. Get it done Miami…..
C’MON Pat please sign A.I. one of the greatest players of all time. He gave his heart and soul into the fans and his play and the bball court. A.I. deserves his due to complete his HOF resume. If A.I. is signed and if his ego gets out of line he will be put in check at the door by LBJ, WADE and BOSH or put a stipulation in his contract to be let go. I think A.I. knows that if he gets this chance it is his time to prove his detractors wrong otherwise he will have ended final opportunity and career and I think he understands that. I got love for ya A.I. but if you are signed to the Heat please for gods sake please stay out of trouble and stay humble this is a golden opportunity for you to end your career on a high note and that is what everyone wants to see.
This is gotta be the best news Lebron and Bosh signing.. but if you put A.I. and Shaq in the mix… Whoa! imagin..
PG – A.I.
SG – Wade
SF – LeBron
PF – Bosh
Ctr – Shaq
I’m hearing that song,
“What More Can I Say” by Jay-Z in the background. Ya dig.
Pat Riley sign that dotted line ……………… please.
sign A.I miami!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AI no lo piensee mass yo soy un fan tu yooo desde k suviste ala nba siempre te e seguido y siempre te seguiree siguiendoo como tu quiere un campeonato de la nba yo tabn quiero k tu lo consiguaa chillingg y too la baina tu tiene todo los numeroo para el salon de la famaa soo vete para miami y dejemos el pasado atraa vive el presente y practica con el equipoo fue mucho lo k isite en tu juventud ya tiene varia lesiones comoda ya no eres el mismo del 1997 ya es otro AI EN EL 2010 so pon los pies sobre la tierra y vete para miami junto lebron wade y bosh dale pal calorrr
Pleeeease Pat Riley….stop wasting time! Sign Iverson!!!…The Heat could be the best team ever. I would definitely spend money on the NBA again if we joins the Heat. Iverson is a legend.
If the Heat sign Iverson; can you say Miami legacy? Iverson is one of the best guards to ever play in this league. He certainly has the heart and probably enough gas in the tank to make a meaningful contribution. Lebron, get it done!
Hey whats the latest on this??? I mean what the hell??? is this issue going to sleep forever?
Make a move PAT!!! 101% you wont regret it!!! AI is the best PG to ever played the game of basketball… AI @ MIAMI??? whoaaa!!!!
Please AI go to MIAMI… you’re my favorited player and I wan’t that you get a ring, i’m from dominican republic… please!!! MIAMI HEAT
(look, Wade, Bosch, Lebron and Iverson) damnnnn plz men
AI i have watched you since high school when i lived in washington DC. Go to Miami and prove all the nay sayers wrong. Most importantly go get that ring you deserve it you have given blood sweat and tears for the game you love now its time and here is thew oppurtunity you have been waiting for .Go and get that ring and leave the game on top. Wow the King, the Answer And Mr. Wade . And to Mr. Riley give him the chance and get the rings.
I’m a HUGE Iverson fan. Loved his game and intencity when he was in his prime…BACK then. but those days are gone now and we, his fans, have to realize he’s gotten older and may have lost a step, like all stars tend to do, being human as they are. As a role player I think Miami would be a good thing for him, and us, his fans. Hopefully he’ll cath that elusive ring. I really hope he does his best to latch on to a team that will actually take him and make the most of the oppertunities that are presented to him. Good luck AI!
Yea!!!!!!!! go 2 miami ai. We goiin all da way
yea we goin all da way ai chris bosh d wade and lebron letz GO
ai and the heat will be a dynasty!the big trio with ai that will bring the @@@@ing kobe and the lakers down!!!!!!!!
A.I. Forever!
Allen Iverson would be good for Miami Heat in title run in 2012