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Post by JohnJacquesLayup on May 13, 2005 14:40:41 GMT -5
Wilbon soured on AI a bit during his rookie year with the Sixers when he and the media and exaggerated about Iverson's dissing Michael Jordan (which was baloney). AI had to live down talking trash on the court to Mike for years. Wilbon has written very positive columns about AI after that experience (I still have most of them) but he has never been too enthusiastic about giving AI his deserved props. He was always more eager to praise other guys (like Wade now) than AI. Wilbon has definitely been on AI's side since the Olympics. Allen's pride in representing the country was more than evident, and he genuinely treasured the experience this past summer.
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MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
Posts: 9,426
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Post by MCIGuy on May 13, 2005 14:42:49 GMT -5
That is out of control. Overrated? Not on any All-NBA team? Chumps can't recognize greatness in front of them...they will one day regret their words the way long forgotten jokesters deemed Dr. J's game as too "playground" to every make an impact in the league... No big deal. Talent recognizes talent. The guys who are playing the game all respect Iverson. With some exceptions the current guys, the Hall of Famers and even the tough, old school coaches (like jerry Sloan) all give AI praise. Most of the media does too these days.
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the_way
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
The Illest
Posts: 5,420
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Post by the_way on May 13, 2005 15:11:40 GMT -5
Don't recall him ever calling AI a thug. But he has been harder on AI than Kornheiser has. Wilbon wanted to stop "all the hype" about AI after Bubba Chuck's Kenner League debut. Even wrote a column BEFORE AI's freshmen year at GU which essentially warned people to not be fooled into thinking Iverson (which he had not seen) could live up to those expectations. Wilbon soured on AI a bit during his rookie year with the Sixers when he and the media and exaggerated about Iverson's dissing Michael Jordan (which was baloney). AI had to live down talking trash on the court to Mike for years. Wilbon has written very positive columns about AI after that experience (I still have most of them) but he has never been too enthusiastic about giving AI his deserved props. He was always more eager to praise other guys (like Wade now) than AI. Kornheiser though has always been in the tank for Iverson; he loves him. The players Kornheiser hated were Mutombo and especially Alonzo. TK won't ever get off Zo's back except to say that he thinks Alonzo has to be the greatest teammate one can have. Wilbon though has always loved Alonzo. There you have it. The main reason Wilbon hated Iverson in the beggining of his Sixers' career was that Iverson stood up to Jordan. Jordan's ego didn't like it. Iverson did nothing wrong. Iverson just didn't back down to Jordan and kiss Jordan's feet like 97% of NBA players did back then, along with Wilbon. Like I said before, anybody who goes against Michael Jordan, Wilbon has a problem with. Thomas Boswell on the other hand, loved AI. I remember when he wrote his column after seeing Iverson first play in the Kenner league. Boswell had said Iverson belonged in Boswell's class of Lou Alcindor and Ewing as the 3 greatest and most amazing players he has ever seen first-hand in the college game. Oh, why does Tom Knott's voice sound so annoying. Knott's voice is higher and sounds worse than high-pitch Eric on The Howard Stern show.
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Cambridge
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Canes Pugnaces
Posts: 5,303
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Post by Cambridge on May 13, 2005 15:33:39 GMT -5
There you have it. The main reason Wilbon hated Iverson in the beggining of his Sixers' career was that Iverson stood up to Jordan. Jordan's ego didn't like it. Iverson did nothing wrong. Iverson just didn't back down to Jordan and kiss Jordan's feet like 97% of NBA players did back then, along with Wilbon. Like I said before, anybody who goes against Michael Jordan, Wilbon has a problem with. Thomas Boswell on the other hand, loved AI. I remember when he wrote his column after seeing Iverson first play in the Kenner league. Boswell had said Iverson belonged in Boswell's class of Lou Alcindor and Ewing as the 3 greatest and most amazing players he has ever seen first-hand in the college game. Oh, why does Tom Knott's voice sound so annoying. Knott's voice is higher and sounds worse than high-pitch Eric on The Howard Stern show. Actually Boswell said something the the effect of "on the top shelf of first impresions, Allen Iverson has found a spot next to Lou Alcindor...Patrick Ewing comes in a close third." It was a mind-blowing statement considering much of the press had blasted JTII for the "jailbird" recruit... Oh and about the Jordan thing...according to Platt (sp?) book, if I recall, Iverson supposedly dissed Jordan when Jordan said to Iverson, in response to the trashtalking Rodman and Pippen were laying on the rookie phenom: "You have to respect us [the Bulls], if you don't respect anyone else in the league you have to respect us." Iverson apparently responded, "I don't have to respect anyone," then he proceeded to break the vaunted Airness' ankles with his mind-boggling, revolutionary crossover.
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Post by HoyaDestroya on May 15, 2005 7:28:12 GMT -5
Thanks for all the research and info guys... productive off-season thread.
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rccoleon
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Posts: 448
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Post by rccoleon on May 15, 2005 12:01:44 GMT -5
i dont know how anyone can hate iverson after watching what the kid did this year. i think he should have been the mvp of the league. i mean scoring 30+ a night to go along with nearly 10 assists as well as being one of the best defenders in the league was absolutly stagering. he had no one to work with and he has the most heart of any player in the league. shaq is sitting out with a thigh bruise right now and there is no way iverson would ever miss time for something like that.
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 8,835
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Post by RDF on May 15, 2005 12:33:40 GMT -5
i dont know how anyone can hate iverson after watching what the kid did this year. i think he should have been the mvp of the league. i mean scoring 30+ a night to go along with nearly 10 assists as well as being one of the best defenders in the league was absolutly stagering. he had no one to work with and he has the most heart of any player in the league. shaq is sitting out with a thigh bruise right now and there is no way iverson would ever miss time for something like that. As an admitted AI fan, I'd have to say this was by far his best season. If he had some guys who could finish around the hoop he'd easily had double digit assists. Those who point to his turnovers dismiss it when it comes Dwyane Wade who is also a top 5 player in the league. They get turnovers because of aggression and those you can live with--although too many of them are inexcusable as AI had a few double digit turnover games that were putrid. If you want to talk about AI's "detractors" go over to the Pro Sports board and you'll see his teammate as the latest to join the "hater" club on Iverson--none other than Webber. If you saw his postgame comments after Detroit Series when he was asked what it's like playing with a "great player" Webber threw AI in with the likes of Rod Strickland--and mentioned how playing with him has made him reach for more "faith in God". Now even when you consider Iverson's faults, he brings maximum effort to the floor each night so the quote above has me still shaking my head, but as I said, go to the Pro Sports Board if you want rest. Article was in today's NY Daily News.
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nychoya3
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,674
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Post by nychoya3 on May 15, 2005 12:40:46 GMT -5
Webber's skills at this point are limited to hitting midrange jumpers when AI's penetration got him open. He's just looking for excuses for his rapidly declining physical abilities. No one with eyes questions what AI did this year.
How about Wade, though? He is simply phenomenal.
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 8,835
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Post by RDF on May 15, 2005 12:54:26 GMT -5
Not trying to take anything away from Wade who I love as a player and enjoy watching but I'm much more interested in how he'll do against Detroit--I have no faith in Pacers--they'll blow this Series somehow--. Beating NJ and Washington doesn't do anything for me in terms of numbers--but then again I expect this type of game from Wade--he's a top 5 player in league right now. It also shows you that playing with Shaq makes game a lot easier--I know he didn't play with him in last two games, but Kobe enjoyed the freedom prior to Wade and it's why everyone respects Shaq so much when those who don't watch NBA ask "why is Shaq so hyped?".
If Wade drops these numbers/performances on Detroit, I will be beyond impressed--he will lead Heat to Finals and possibly a championship.
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