It’s Okay to Feel Sorry for Allen Iverson

Whatever you’ve thought about Allen Iverson in the past, it’s hard not to feel a little bad for him now. One of the most determined, productive players of the last decade has now been reduced to a nuisance. In Detroit, the two weeks he’ll miss with back problems are a blessing in disguise, since it forestalls that awkward demotion to the bench. And, if you believe my inner Nostradamus, AI could end up desperate for cut-rate employment in this summer’s free agency wasteland.↵
↵
↵But wait, there’s more. See, whenever a player, coach, or analyst praises the new look, new attitude Nuggets, it always comes across as a veiled criticism of Iverson. You can’t help but read between the lines. From the Deseret News:↵↵⇥“It’s a different (Denver) team with Chauncey out there,” said Jazz point guard Deron Williams ... “Allen Iverson is more of a scorer. Chauncey is a guy who scores, but he also distributes and knows how to run a team very well. That’s something that they needed. Carmelo Anthony has benefited from it. Nene has benefited from it. Kenyon Martin and all those guys have benefited from (Billups) being there and getting them the ball ... They still play up-tempo, but now they are more in control with Chauncey at the helm. He makes sure the ball goes where it needs to go.”↵⇥
↵⇥
↵⇥Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is also a fan of the way Billups directs a team: “(Billups) gives them direction,” said Sloan. “They seem to be running a few more plays and be in more control because of his ability and the way he’s always played. He’s been a very effective player throughout his career.”↵↵I know Iverson doesn’t give an eff about what other people think, but he’s a very proud man. Seeing himself demoted to an unwanted outsider on the Pistons and the opposite of a dark horse MVP candidate is not exactly the kind of validation that a Hall of Famer deserves -- no matter how much ego he’s got to sustain him.↵