Don't Question The Answer
I know that I am probably the only professional basketball fan left on earth, but I can't help it. It is my personal opinion that NBA players, while some are overpayed thugs, are still without a doubt the most gifted atheletes in the wide world. Which brings me to todays topic: Where will the second greatest player of our time find a home. Allen Iverson has requested a trade and it looks like he's going to get it.
But....he's an ungrateful punk you say. Well, ask yourself one question: How could a coach-killer who allegedly monopolizes the ball, hates to practice and can't share the ball double as one of the most revered, respected players in the league? Why are Philly fans overwhelmingly heartbroken that he's leaving town? How can anyone blame Iverson for anything when he's been saddled with an incompetent front office and decidedly mediocre supporting cast for the past decade? Can you blame A.I. for wanting out? No. That's why we're knee-deep into one of the weirdest times in NBA history -- Philly effectively putting a future Hall of Famer on eBay for a three-day auction, with a trade expected to be consummated any second -- and I'm not sure anyone fully understands the ramifications here. This isn't just any All-Star player. This could be the basketball bargain of the decade. You know what else is going to happen, trades always rejuvenate great players, especially if they left their old team under bad terms. Just in the past few years, we saw this happen with Shaq in Miami, Nash in Phoenix and Kidd in Jersey. Give an elite player something to prove and he usually ends up proving it. Barkley remains the most famous example because he celebrated the trade by becoming the dominant non-MJ player on the first Dream Team, then ripping through the league in Phoenix, winning an MVP and nearly winning a title. Could this happen with Iverson? Absolutely. He's that good. Just like there will never be another Jordan, there will never, ever, ever, ever, EVER be another Iverson. In fact, here's the short list of players from the modern era of basketball who will never be seen again for genetic or physical reasons, all of whom can be identified with some great names:
Bird + Magic: For obvious reasons.
Barkley: A 6-foot-4 power forward with a weight problem who somehow doubled as a dominant rebounder and low-post player, as well as the greatest runaway train on fast breaks there ever was. Nobody took a charge from Barkley from 1985 through 1996. It never happened. Nobody ever caused more players to cower for their lives than Barkley on a fast break.
Gervin: I just can't see anyone else scoring 30-40 a night on bank shots, runners and finger rolls when he's 6-foot-8 and about 110 pounds. He was skinnier than a supermodel.
McHale: A genetic freak. When will we see another 6-foot-11 forward with his low-post moves, shot-blocking skills and arms that are six inches too long for his body who was able to dominate games while wearing Richard Simmons' shorts?
Maravich: For reasons that can't be adequately described in a single paragraph. He's in my list for "Athletes who most desperately need a Sports documentary about them."
Kareem: I just don't see anyone replicating the skyhook in my lifetime. Or his general ninnyness.
Iverson: Other than Bo Jackson, the most incredible athlete ever.