Questioning "The Answer"

Let's consider the great teams who have played in the NBA Finals over the past 10-15 years:

The Heat... have Shaq and D-Wade.
The Lakers... had Shaq and Kobe.
The Spurs... had Robinson and Duncan.
The Bulls... had MJ and Pippen.
The Jazz... had Stockton and Malone.
The Sonics... had Glove and Reign.

Notice anything similar about all these champions? Here's a hint: each boasted two outstanding players--Hall-of-Famers, in many cases--on its roster.

Considering the list above, it's difficult to deny that success requires talent; and not just a single dominant player--we're talking multiple All Stars. From Worthy-Magic-Kareem and Chief-Larry Legend-McHale, to Jordan-Pippen and Shaq-Kobe, championship teams historically field loads of talent.


This long-winded introductory point brings me to the ultimate topic of this piece: Allen Iverson. In recent days the A.I. saga has reached near theatrical proportions, with the Sixers having "banished" their franchise player while "shopping him around." It appears, rather clearly, that the often tumultuous relationship between The Answer and his Philly team has run its course; as strange as it seems, Allen Iverson will soon wear a new uniform, and the Philadelphia 76ers will thereafter take the court without their diminutive talisman.

Not surprisingly, this most recent wave of Iverson drama has drawn both admirers and critics from their fenceposts. Longstanding A.I.-haters can now bellow that the Sixers have finally reached their senses and decided to trade the selfish, uncoachable ball hog. Conversely, Iverson admirers, who have long clamoured that the guy has never had a proper supporting cast, will now be able to test their theory, as it's assumed that Iverson will end up on a team like Minnesota or Sacramento. We will, no doubt, soon be able to answer The Questions: How will the Sixers fair without Iverson? What would Iverson be like if he played on a team with other decent players?

In light of my introductory emphasis on talent, it's no surprise that I reside in the pro-A.I. camp. I honestly consider Allen Iverson to be as talented as anyone who has played the game in the past 15 years--Jordan, Kobe, Shaq, Duncan, Wade, and Lebron included. At a (generous) 6'1, A.I. has found a way to succeed, scratch that... STAR, in a big man's league. In 2001, he singlehandedly--yes, singlehandedly--led the 76ers to the NBA Finals. The second-leading scorer on that team: Aaron McKie. The center: Dikembe Mutombo. No one can feasibly argue that this was a highly talented bunch. I'd even argue that, minus Iverson, the '01 Sixers may not have made the playoffs, much less won the Eastern Conference. Indeed, Iverson took the city of Philly upon his shoulders, put together an MVP season, and led his "team" to the brink of a championship. Unfortunately for the Sixers, they ran up against the Shaq-Kobe Lakers, one of the aforementioned talent-heavy teams of recent note.

Since 2001, the 76ers have made "efforts" to surround Iverson with talent. These moves, though, have been anything but impressive. Billy King's most notable play was the acquisition of a hobbling, long-overvalued Chris Webber, who looked nearly geriatric upon arriving in Philly. If this is the best that Iverson's naysayers can do--to point to the fact that he has played alongside talent, in the form of a playoff-tested former All Star who is now a shell of his former self--then their argument holds no water.

Until Iverson is surrounded with legitimate support--K.G., Ron Artest, Carmelo Anthony--we cannot say what his ultimate "legacy" will be. Nonetheless, at this point I personally view A.I. as a world-class, once-in-a-lifetime player who can hold his own against anyone. His baggage, while unattractive, comes nowhere close to overshadowing his abilities and contributions. Dennis "Crotch Kicker" Rodman was one of the most disreputable players in NBA history, but the Bulls could not have won rings without him; Ron "Fan Puncher/Crazy Man" Artest is a powder keg, but fans and writers will continue to cheer and honor him with Defensive Player of the Year awards; Kobe "Golden Boy" Bryant involved himself in a Colorado situation that far outweighs Iverson's transgressions in terms of character, yet we still anoint him The Next Jordan. Moreover, when Kobe shoots all the time because he has to (see: last season), we call him an MVP candidate; when Iverson does it, we crucify him.

One day, Allen Iverson will be in the Hall of Fame. He will perhaps be remembered as one of the most easy-to-root-for, unique players ever to wear an NBA uniform. I can only hope that, as a result of his impending change of location, he will be able to add "NBA Champion" and "Silencer of Ignorant Critics" to his resume.