During his prime, Allen Iverson was one of the most enigmatic, intriguingly talented professional athletes in the entire world. With the cornrows, tattoos, gangster rap career, gun possession charges and press conference tirades all defining his image, Iverson was as polarizing a figure as the league had ever seen.
His eccentric persona translated beyond the basketball court more so than any of the 400 plus other players in the NBA.
Last April, one of the toughest players to ever dribble a basketball gave hint that his playing days could be over quicker than his performance had indicated. When relegated to the role of instant offense off the bench, Iverson first struggled and eventually gave an explanation to the media.
"I'm in a position now that I've never been in my whole life," he said.
"It's harder than I thought it would be. With the back injury, I have to sit out at the start, then go in, then sit again. It's tough to really get going. I take my hat off to the guys who can come off the bench and be effective. It's tough for me. I'm struggling with it."
So where does this leave the 33 year old? His days as a Piston are clearly over and after general managers witnessed Denver's drastic change in attitude before and after Iverson's tenure, the market to sign the ten-time all-star won't be buzzing.
He's currently a free agent; his days of leading the league in scoring and being a franchise player are all but over. With a recent refusal to come off the bench and contribute with his uncanny scoring ability, where will Iverson play next year if at all?
Europe wouldn't be a surprise although envisioning him play for a Euro-league club that centers itself on an all for one, one for all concept does not seem like a good fit for the NBA's active leader in field goal attempts. He's an old 33, but played in all 82 games as recently as last season, when he also led the league in minutes played.
Another possible destination, however unlikely it may look on the exterior, is Salt Lake City. Playing for Jerry Sloan who is one of the toughest and most respected coaches in basketball history could be a good fit.
Whether it's backing up Deron Williams or starting off the ball and playing half the game, Iverson's job will be to shoot in abundance which he's more than capable of doing. Scoring is something the Jazz struggled with down the stretch and could pose a big problem for them next year if Carlos Boozer chooses to opt out of his contract.
The Jazz have Brevin Knight and Ronnie Price coming off the books next season which only supports the cause.
The Hampton, Virginia native will be a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee who, despite what he has been saying, has a few solid years left in him to remind basketball fans across the country just how great a player he is.
He's finished on an All-NBA team seven times, was voted rookie of the year in the 1996-97 season and regular season MVP in 2000-01. The six-footer has led the league in scoring four times and has a higher career scoring average than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird and Oscar Robertson.
Is this once in a lifetime talent washed up? Or will he find a team and eventually an elusive championship ring.
Bout time for him to hang em up
He has a few more good years in him. However, he's a team killer who hasn't won anything since high school. He desperately needs an attitude overhaul, which I doubt will happen at this stage of his career.
"gangster rap career" . . . talk about exaggeration.
What Jayhawkpride said, he has a few more good years left he just needs an attitude adjustment . . . just like his brother from another mother Stephon Marbury.
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