Comments on: Iverson Skips Practice

By: Vanalope

Vanalope — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:53:05 +0000

Like Nat I tried to give this guy the benefit of the doubt and was starting to thaw towards him after the 1st round of west coast games, it did seem like he was trying to play like a team player which is why I like Detroit as a franchise int he first place. There just aren’t a lot of teams in the NBA that are competitive based on team work instead of being a support system for a superstar player.

However my thaw towards the guy is over with this. He’d have to commit a major act of selflessness now to regain my good favor. This is the same ole AI crap, different jersey. That guy so does NOT deserve to be wearing Chauncy’s #1. Still love the team but I will be happy when he’s not wearing a Pistons jersey any more. He has not demonstrated to me that he’s a Piston’s caliber player. For me that includes talent AND a good work ethic and attitude.

I wear a McDyess jersey to games for a reason.

By: VJ

VJ — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:53:46 +0000

One more final note: I take pride in being a Detroit Pistons fan no matter who it is out there on the floor. From the moment I laid eyes on my first hideous Grant Hill teal jersey at age 5, I’ve wanted nothing but the best for Detroit Basketball. I am a Pistons fan, and that entails all Pistons, past and present (yes, even Ben Wallace, Jon Barry, Jud Bucheler, etc.). From my favorite player (Rasheed) to the captain (Rip) to the guards, big men, and all the way down to Alex Acker, I am behind them every step of the way, because they share the common goal of bringing a ship back. Some players might go about it differently, but I love them all. In response to your above comment, I believe that to be a true Pistons fan, you must be an Iverson fan, but not necessarily vice versa, if that makes sense at all (it probably doesn’t, but its like that whole “a square is a rectangle but a rectangle isn’t a square” thing they fed us in geometry)

By: VJ

VJ — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:41:06 +0000

Good points Kyle. I can definetely understand where you are coming from. All that I’m saying is that the ultimate fate of the 08-09 Detroit Pistons does not bank on which players attended or did not attend an hour long practice on Thanksgiving morning. I get the fact that its about principle and I get the fact that the practice was called with the goal of acclimating Ivo.

However, rest assured there will be many more practices throughout the year, and come May, I expect AI will fit right in. (my comment above about never going to practice again was facetious)

As for the Garnett/Kobe thing, you do have an excellent point there. I must admit, I’ve never thought of it that way before.

Further, the entire team played horrendous against Boston and Minnesota, so I don’t know if its fair to throw all the blame on Iverson.

I also think it is unfair to chastise Allen without even knowing his excuse. Granted, the fact that he did not offer one doesn’t look good, but nobody on the outside can be completely sure.

Finally, give him more of a chance. At times when it looks like he is half-assing it, remember that his life is different than yours, so you can’t expect him to think like you. I trust Joe D and his instincts. He was the one that rebuilt our great team and he is the one that saw fit to shake it up. I am confident that it will all work out in the end, but if it doesn’t, I will be the first to admit that I was wrong

By: Kyle

Kyle — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:51:11 +0000

ai put up 17 points in 28 minutes against the bucks, who were missing their two best players. how did he do against boston? against the freaking timberwolves?

if “the heart and dedication” you saw against the bucks was enough to satisfy you, then fine. enjoy meaningless wins against crappy teams. but winning a championship demands a level of heart and dedication outside of the games themselves.

you think garnett skips practices? you think kobe bryant skips practices? no, because they’re champions. they realize the dedication required to win that ring is greater than just showing up to games. much greater.

they get it. iverson doesn’t. most iverson fans don’t.

i read the drew sharp article. it basically says iverson needs to be treated like a child and that “Iverson and the concept of rigorous practice are about as compatible as the Lions and winning a game.”

this is the behavior you’re defending? showing up to games should be a given. if that is the extent of your dedication you don’t deserve a pistons uniform.

By: VJ

VJ — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:05:16 +0000

If Ivo can put up 17 points in 28 minutes without attending a “crucial” practice, then I really wouldn’t care if he didn’t show up for another practice for the rest of the season. He gets paid to play basketball, and the heart and dedication I saw from him last night on the Palace floor was enough for me.

And for everyone who is making this issue a bigger deal than it has to be: Drew Sharp hit the nail on the head in his Free Press article on Saturday. If you haven’t read it by now, I suggest you check it out.

By: Natalie Sitto

Natalie Sitto — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:09:28 +0000

VJ, by no means am I “giving up” on Iverson, but how can you not be disappointed in someone who defied the coach and his team for his own purposes.

People have to work on the Holidays, what makes it different for him?

I don’t make close to 22 million dollars a year and I work when I’m told.

It’s about a championship.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:19:42 +0000

vj, you say you have confidence in his character, and then you say you’d have skipped the same practice. no wonder you have confidence in his character, you have none of your own.

honestly, what degree to punish ai is up for debate, whether or not what he did was wrong isn’t. and we as pistons fans (as opposed to ai fans)have every reason to be upset. he lied at his press conference and then gave us a perfect example of how he’s still the same arrogant, self-centered little jerk he used to be.

if you don’t know what “detroit basketball” refers to then please, find some allen iverson fan site you can post on. excuse every stupid thing he does, and blame the most consistent team in the east as all being idiots except for the infallible ai.

ai is the opposite of detroit basketball and his fans are the opposite of detroit pistons fans. it sickens me. i believe he has the potential to help this team win a championship this year. but he’s not going to do it unless he gets over himself and his cadre of devoted apologists.

why would you even continue to excuse this kind of behavior? i take it you’re an ai fan? you enjoy seeing him act like a child? do you not want him to win a championship? do you enjoy seeing him lose? does seeing him not live up to his potential make you feel better about yourself?

By: VJ

VJ — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 08:29:05 +0000

Natalie, I am quite disappointed in you. For as optimistic as you always are, I feel like you are giving up on Allen. I miss Chauncey just like the rest of us, but Allen is a Piston now and I am behind him every step of the way. I have confidence in his abilities and his character. I know that I sure wouldn’t show up to a practice on Thanksgiving morning, and I am fine if Iverson doesn’t want to either.

By: osama

osama — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:34:55 +0000

hey i just wanted to say there is no reason of putting iverson on the bench because then there would be no reason for him to even be on the team.

By: Richie

Richie — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:21:58 +0000

I just want to say that I Coach high school wrestling, and we had a two hour practice Thanksgiving morning. My HIGH SCHOOL athletes showed up, got a work out in, then went home and spent the rest of the day with their families.
If pros are getting paid millions for to give up less time than what high schoolers are doing for free or even paying to do, there’s a big problem with them not showing up for practice. I’m on Curry’s side here.