(Insert Practice Joke Here)

by Steve Weinman on Nov 28, 2008 12:59 AM EST in NBA Comment 26 comments

Every once in a while, we get a story where the jokes just seem to write themselves with abundance. So we're taking a democratic approach and letting you write in your own headline for what is currently going on in Detroit.

For those who chose to spend Thanksgiving immersed slowly in turkey, family and football (and who could blame you?), Allen Iverson faces an undisclosed fine and a possible benching tonight against Milwaukee for - you guessed it! - missing practice.

Pistons coach Michael Curry indicated Thursday that AI will not start tonight, but whether he will play at all has yet to be decided.

While there is no doubt enough precedent with non-game issues for Iverson skipping practice not to be a shock, it still comes as something of a surprise that his first incident in Motown happened this quickly. This is a 33-year-old in quite possibly his last big-time walk year who is only weeks removed from experiencing the classically rejuvenating change of scenery. One would think that if ever he was going to be on his best behavior, now would be the time.

Two weeks ago, this guy was in championship-or-bust mode, and already he is returning to the same old, same old. That isn't to say that this one practice-fine-benching incident will permanently derail the Pistons, but it certainly isn't a good sign. And it comes in a bit too much of a hurry, even for AI.

Let's end on my favorite part of the ESPN wire report on this story. It's too good to pass up:

He talked Saturday about the importance of finding chemistry with a new team through practice.

"I've been through it before," Iverson said. "I think the toughest part of it has been our schedule. We've been on the road a lot. That was tough. For me, it's just getting a chance to settle in.

"The most important thing is getting more practice time."

Only in the Association.

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I don't understand the Iverson love

Billups makes Denver a better team. Iverson did the opposite to Detroit. The ball doesn’t move as well with Iverson. I don’t think any of the franchises AI played for was a better TEAM with him. He has talent, but seems to be too selfish for championship success.

by VtCeltics on Nov 28, 2008 1:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

A reasonable assessment overall, VtCeltics

But I would hasten to point out that AI will always have his performance in the 2000-01 season to his credit: He played MVP basketball and carried a team to the Finals on his back – even helping them to steal a game in a series against the Lakers in which they were horribly overmatched.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Nov 28, 2008 1:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

AI is always about AI

AI is never going to be a team player. He’s a better fit being the solo alpha dog in his team eg. Sixers. His wonderful ‘00-’01 season came to bear fruit because the Sixers allowed him to do his thing (score at will), while the others just did the dirty work (defense). Sharing the spotlight or the basketball is something AI is never good at.

With that said, I’m glad he never came here via a trade. That would have pushed the team to another 20+ years of futility if Danny had pulled the trigger then.

by Celtic_E on Nov 28, 2008 2:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow, this is funny. BUt i think detroit needs to pick their battles and realize if they bench iverson for a game its going to do more damage to that team.

by spinz on Nov 28, 2008 3:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It’s a mere footnote at the beginning of the season, doesn’t mean a thing. W and L’s are 100% proportional to this guy, it’s well documented and expected. Let’s just hope it stays this way. “Not the game, not the game I go out there and…”, I laugh out loud every single time, that and "playoffs’, oh man I love Best Damn.

by davemonsterband on Nov 28, 2008 7:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

This is so predictable for so many reasons. Why anybody would pay to watch this guy is beyond me. Beyond the additude, this is the most overrated player in NBA history. Dumars mailed in this season for the free agent market with the trade for this guy. Dumars should have Marburyed him as soon as the trade was completed. Putting this coach killer on a team with a rookie coach..along with the sterling character that is Rasheed……..Dumars, by putting this idiot on the court, has his cake and eats it too. His stands, again inexplipcably, are filled to see this clown, and Dumars gets his cap space. What Dumars doesn’t seem to get is that he gave up the heart of his team for a player who has no heart. He may play hard, but Iverson plays for himself….Obviously when he feels like it.

By seasons end, Detroit will be lucky to have home court in round one. Sadly, some foolish GM will pay this fool megabucks because unexplainedly, people pay to see him ruin team after team.

by Finkelskyhook on Nov 28, 2008 7:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

overrated?

No, VC is the most overrated player in NBA history

by action781 on Nov 28, 2008 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Finkelskyhook about Iverson playing for himself. Not sure about the playing hard part though. Does it count as playing hard if he only does it on offense? I could not believe how pathetic his defense on Rondo was the last time we played him. He may as well have rolled out a red carpet to the rim. Every time Rondo drove, AI acted like he was trying to make a (impossible) steal, acted like he got caught on a pick, acted like he got knocked over. These are all fake plays- he was faking that he was playing defense. I was really amazed at how blatent this was. He made Eddie Curry look like Tim Duncan in that game.

by moiso on Nov 28, 2008 8:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I can’t wait to see how sheed reacts to this. I don’t think he’ll put up with this.

by johnnymost on Nov 28, 2008 8:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Practice in the Thanksgiving? It's Thanksgiving, man, we're talking about Thanksgiving, man

If this was scripted, I’d call it a hack. As Twain said it "Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities, truth isn’t". I mean, if this was an “Onion” piece, I’d say "geez, the Iverson/practice routine again? That’s old…

Anyway, I was never a fan of Iverson’s game, but it looks like his reputation will oscillate forever between two extremes and none of them is fair. Some people overrate volume scorers, but others underrate them.

by cordobes on Nov 28, 2008 8:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ray Allen vs AI

I just read the story in today’s Boston Globe where Ray Allen describes the problems he went thru last year in regard to his ankles. It is still continuing into this year, but is not as severe. Basically Ray Allen disregarded his Doctor’s orders and PRACTICED and played more than he should have. I, as many thought, his problems last year were just due to finding his role with a new team. Others felt the problem was with his ankles. The point I’m trying to make is that Ray Allen is a Celtic (regardless of who he is playing for) and a winner and AI, wherever he is, is a loser as far as the character issue goes. I doubt this is much of a revelation to anyone, but it should just make us C fans realize how fortunate we are to have Ray Allen on our TEAM (for this and many other reasons).

by TrueGreen on Nov 28, 2008 8:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ray Allen couldn't possibly have been hurt!

You can’t trust what you read in that Globe article. I know for a fact that Allen’s ankles couldn’t possibly have caused him any trouble. I know this because when Ainge traded for him, I strongly questioned the situation with his ankles. And several people on this blog assured me that his ankles absolutely weren’t a problem, that the surgery was no consequence, and there was no cause for any concern.

You know, there are some things you can simply bank on.

by no kidding on Nov 28, 2008 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"The Answer" has been delivered to Detroit ?????.........No Teammate just a Turkey

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Nov 28, 2008 9:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m surprised that this happened, there must be a reason for it.

by Who on Nov 28, 2008 11:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

You must be kidding.

For somebody who usually posts brilliantly, how on God’s green earth does this suprise you, Who? Iverson doesn’t respect established great coaches. By bringing this clown on, Dumars has essentially already given up on Curry. Because bringing on this coach killer clearly undermines his coach. Long-term, I guess it could be a good move. But Curry won’t be around to see it.

by Finkelskyhook on Nov 28, 2008 12:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He’s only been in Detroit for 2-3 weeks, it’s surprising to me that he’d make such a silly mistake so early on.

I don’t remember hearing about Iverson missing any practices in Denver. Then again, I wasn’t paying much attention to it either. Does anyone know if he missed any practices with Denver? To the best of my knowledge George Karl never had any problems with Iverson on issues like this.

by Who on Nov 28, 2008 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Turkey Day Practice? No Thanks: Iverson

Iverson proves there is an “I” in Iverson

by wahz on Nov 28, 2008 11:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If anybody had thoughts that this was no big thing, steven i smith just said that this was no big thing. Based on steven’s accuracy, this is the train wreck that anybody who’s followed Iverson could easily predict.

by Finkelskyhook on Nov 28, 2008 12:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Curry’s job is safe. It’s Iverson who won’t be back. The only question is which dumb GM (e.g Michael Jordan) will be willing to pay AI more than the MLE to put a few more fannies in the seats.

by Brickowski on Nov 28, 2008 1:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

So Brick, you believe this is something along the lines of the two year ago tanking job between Rivers and Ainge. I don’t buy that. Rivers at least had some coaching experience. Rivers couldn’t handle much lesser flakes like Ricky, Blount, and Banks. Curry, a rookie coach, can’t be asked to handle a career malcontent coach killer like Iverson and a flake like Rasheed and be asked to maintain sanity. Let alone confidence.

I agree that Iverson won’t be back but I agree with the last thing you said. I doubt it’ll be Jordan because I can’t fathom Brown wanting to deal with this screwball again.

by Finkelskyhook on Nov 28, 2008 1:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, I expect Michael Curry to be back also.

The Pistons would have to turn into one nasty train wreck for Dumars to get rid of Curry so quickly … and I don’t think they’ll be that bad.

by Who on Nov 28, 2008 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Starbury and AI should team up!

Imagine how nice it would be for Coach Curry if the Pistons added the incredibly unselfish Stephon Marbury to the solid core of Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson. Any thoughts as to who else would fit in well on the “all selfish- team”? :)

by VtCeltics on Nov 28, 2008 2:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ron Artest should definitely be on that squad, to add some stability.

by no kidding on Nov 28, 2008 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would suggest bringing an outstanding alumnus like William Bedford to man the center position. Then perhaps bring JR Rider out of chemical induced retirement to round out the starting 5.

Bring in the two selfish tanking cousins, Carter and McGrady to round out the core.

by Finkelskyhook on Nov 28, 2008 6:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs