Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iversonis an American retired professional basketball player who played for 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association. He played both the shooting guard and point guard positions. Iverson was an eleven-time NBA All-Star, won the All-Star game MVP award in 2001 and 2005, and was the NBA's Most Valuable Playerin 2001...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBasketball Player
Date of Birth7 June 1975
CityHampton, VA
CountryUnited States of America
I guess it's just having time to play with each other and learning each other, just finding out how he wants to play and vice versa. He told me coming into the season that he wasn't doing his job if I didn't average four or five more points than I had been, and he was right because I am. ... We work together. We find out what plays we want to run. When we call plays for him, he tells me things he can do to get me an easy basket. And when a play is called for me, I let him know, if they take certain things away from me, what I can get for him. So it's just having some chemistry, being together and having a coach that understands that both of us need the ball and understands how both of us want to play.
I know we got guys in here who can get it done, because it happens on some nights. But it doesn't happen in others. This has to start with me, because I am our top offensive player. If I can send the message about playing defense, then I'm pretty sure everyone else will follow.
I just wasn't picked. I'm not bitter. I'm not mad. It just means I'll get to spend more time with my wife and kids over the next three summers. I still hope they bring back the gold. I'm just honored to have played before.
The first appearance is always going to be the most memorable. This one is special because I'm 30 years old and you hear all the negative things about your game declining and at this point you should be breaking down. I still go out and play hard every night and give it my all. I guess the fans recognize that because they put me in the All-Star game.
These guys don't play it at a level like a Vince Carter or Tracy McGrady or myself,
These guys don't have all the physical ability but they are able to win basketball games because they play the right way.
Come the fourth quarter, we buckled down and got the stop and made some good plays offensively. Earl, I don't want to call him a backup point guard because he's just as good as many guards in this league.
I?m just trying to do a little more talking to the guys and assuring them I?m with them regardless, mistakes or no mistakes. I feel like it?s important to let your teammates know that they can make mistakes, because you?re definitely gonna make them. We feel like we can make mistakes and live with them if they?re aggressive mistakes. I just talk to my squad as much as I can and just try to be there for them because that?s what they do for me.
They want us to get down. I'm going to get down.
You might see effort, but you don't see enough to get us wins.
I don't put pressure on myself. I just compete.