Yeah he gets his share of criticsm from owners, coaches and basketball “purists,” but anyone who watches his games - particularly the 2001 NBA playoffs - knows that that man's heart is left on the court.
So what is currently wrong with the Answer? Why are the teams he's on losing?
For one, he has brought in and nurtured a playground-iso style of play that negates much of the team basketball that dominated the mid-to-late 80s and early-90s - and which is now rearing its ugly head as selfish basketball.
Another thing is that Iverson is a point-shooting guard is most respects, but on the Nuggests he must fill the role left vacant by Andre Miller, whose true point skills Iverson cannot replace.
Now this isn't much different than Philly where Iverson was a virtuoso at the 1-to-2-spot, then again the 76ers weren't just uprooted for a real point who mainly cared about getting shots for his teammates, not his own.
Not that the ball shouldn't be in his hands - though with nearly five turnovers a game maybe it shouldn't be so much - but Iverson needs to learn that his touches are just as valuable as everyone else's. Sometimes he should act like they are more important.
Like every legend-in-the-making, other players stand in awe of Iverson when he has the ball. And this curse and blessing becomes the heart of the problem.
Iverson said back in Philly that general manager Billy King and coach Mo Cheeks were not listening to his demands that the Sixers' style needed to be changed.
But the style that Iverson speaks of is his own. Averaging 30.5 points after an early season recovery period, Iverson came back to lead the Sixers' to a continuation of their poor record.
And in the Nuggets/Sixers game - in which Iverson was ejected - the 76ers showed exactly what Iverson took and what Philly gained: balance.
Iverson's fire, that which allows him to score 50 on certain nights and single-handedly dismantle teams, at times burned too hot for his old teammates. And although this displays perhaps a lack of fortitude and passion from other players, one mark of a great player is too know when you should tone your game down to a level that others feel comfortable playing at.
Because great teams are not only fierce, they are loose. Great teams know when to turn it on and know that “playing every game like it's your last” is a maxim that many player's behold but few can live up to.
Iverson's greatness will ultimately be measured by the betterment of his teammates - like all superstars eventually learn.
So, hating on Iverson? That's not what I'm doing, but in order for him -and you too Kobe - to win you must realize that changing your team's style should start with changing your own.
