In 2001, one of the American newspapers came out with a curious drawing depicting Iverson's injuries. In circles marked with specific medical terms, almost all the limbs of the miniature defender were circled. Dislocations, bursitis and fissures, it seemed, would soon break in half the fragile body of one of the most irrepressible snipers of the league. That summer, Allen brought his “Philadelphia” to the playoff final, in the first match of which shocked the “Lakers” with seven points scored in the end of regular time, 48 in total and an unexpected guest victory. The 76s won no more in that series, and the achievement remained the best in the career of an 183-centimeter basketball player.
Observers, nodding to the doctors, said that in such a rhythm, at the same level of dedication, Iverson would last another three to five years - there would not be enough health. The promised five-year plan has leaked through the sieve of time, and Allen is still alive, improves statistics and is even offended when he is not allowed to play. So serious that he might even ask for an exchange.
Actually, the answer promised that he would never do this. Quite arguing with the coaches (especially the demanding Larry Brown, who was trying to get rid of the egoist’s habits in Iverson), he seemed to calm down and focus on his own. Alas, this season the plans of the club leadership suddenly went against the established, albeit at the level of the ever-stormy sea, lifestyle of a superstar. I can’t believe that Allen himself provoked a departure. He is too attached to the glorious City of Brotherly Love.
Here he was, if not the Lord God, then his basketball protege. Here he began and was going to someday end his career, the duration of the period of performances in one club was second only to the life of Kevin Garnett in “Minnesota”. In “Philadelphia”, he did not reach the title, he received the title of best newcomer, MVP and league scorer. In this team, he perfected the branded crossover, cross dribbling, with which Allen put his opponents on the floor, like pedestrians slipping in ice. Once, in the debut season, Iverson made helplessly wave hands Michael Jordan himself. Be sure, he can do it now. In 2002, he recorded a rap album in Philly, from the lyrics of which the hair of NBA commissioner David Stern stood on end, and human rights activists set about organizing protests, he was arrested for possession of marijuana, loaded weapons and noisy conflicts with his wife.
George Nuggets Coach George Carl has a great idea of who he contacted. Entering the struggle for Iverson, the coach, who at one time had a great time getting along with the inexperienced Gary Payton, shoveled almost all the literature on psychology and held lengthy negotiations with all his colleagues who had previously worked with Allen. Karl is ready, and now he will rather have to think about how to fit such a bright player into the existing team.
The task ahead is not easy: to get the Answer, the “nuggets" gave Andre Miller, one of the best dispatchers in the league. Of course, the Denver rookie played playmaker at Philadelphia, and this season even has an average of 7.3 assists per game. But still it’s hard to name a person who gets 31.2 points per game as a classic organizer of attacks. Especially if this person’s name is Allen Iverson.
At the disposal of Karl were basketball players, today occupying the first and second places in the league in terms of performance. True, the list leader Carmelo Anthony (31.6) due to disqualification will not be able to enter the site with Iverson until January 20. In addition, the “Nuggets” retained Jay.Ar. Smith - a 198-cm attacking defender, who became the real opening of the season, and the NBA's shortest player Earl Boykins - an excellent playmaker and specialist in key situations. It remains “only” to make friends and correctly distribute the time on the site - then the “nuggets” will have no alternative to the title of the fastest league team.
However, it is unlikely that Karl, the owner of “Denver” Stan Kronke, but general manager Mark Varkentien is concerned about the acceleration of the pace. They need victories, which the chronicle lacks in the playoffs. And do not hesitate, the guy with the number three on the golden-blue T-shirt (DerMarr Johnson will not insist on keeping the “three”, right?), Will teach Melo and Co. how to get into the next round. Who will undertake now to give the countdown to the time allotted to the end of Iverson’s career?
Nikolai TSYNKEVICH