Yeah I said it.

Forget your personal bias and howeva you feel about his wardrobe, his crew, his tats, shot-selection, age, contract or his Moms. Just remember the iconic quote that is perfectly understood by each and every "gamer" who ever had to dial in his mental focus to what mattered most.

Fact remains, the Knicks lack a "heart and soul" veteran who can pick up the baton left by the regionally respected Charles Oakley (who we loved) and Grant Hill (who we never had). Allen Iverson's demeanor, vocabulary or won-loss ration can be picked apart and analyzed until next week but there is not a more tenacious or fearless player ANYWHERE who plays with more heart. For me, if I had to choose between Chris Duhon, who got a taste of what it feels like to run the gauntlet of a marathon season and faded from exhaustion, or Allen Iverson, who takes vicious hits and keeps coming back for more - it is a easy choice, just on changing the mindset from passive to aggressive.

Iverson commands attention, he knows what to do with the ball in his hands and is as intuitive and intelligent a player as there is. Flawed? Of course. They ALL have flaws - except for Kobe and Lebron. But Kobe and Lebron ain't here. What IS here is an impressionable mix of yoots who thirst for an on-court role model. Players separate the convenient images crafted by the media from what goes on behind closed door practices... and yes, we talkin' bout practice. And we talkin' bout the game. The GAME.

Who better to teach a yoot how to take a hard hit, ignore the immediate pain, how to pick yourself up like nothing happened, sashay to the free throw line and smile at the culprit while you massage the Spalding from the free throw line?

No, I don't want to hear anything about 2010 salary cap this-and-that either, it is STILL New York and you STILL have seats to fill (and buzz to create) in The Garden. Iverson does both and perhaps along the way - some of his fearlessness, toughness and swagger rubs off on guys who are still finding their voices.

Besides, a backcourt shiftline of AI and Larry Hughes (or Wilson Chandler and Ramon Sessions) creates some matchup problems and I like matchup problems.

Sign me up.

Iverson and Mike? Fire and ice...
The result - a lot of steam, and when the steam settles... the picture of failure.


[Edited by - arkrud on 08-02-2009 08:16 AM]

arkrud - thank you for that bit of evidence-free, vapid, breath of stale air.

Do we really want to replace the picture of Stephon Marbury in the Knicks dictionary under starphu***g with Iverson?

I mean this isn't like Spree coming to NY and rehabilitating his career, he was on Denver a team that was loaded with players and didn't have success. He went to Detroit another team that had talent and he didn't bring it. Why would it be any different here?

I once thought Iverson might be a good option just because his name and skills but that is what got this club where it is today. No thanks.

You guys gotta give it up on this guy, it's the stupidest move in the world, signing AI. There is a reason no one wants him. If you want to wreck your team, then you would sign him. Isiah would sign him. AI is washed up and he's always been overrated like CRAZY because he was so marketable and sold jerseys. This guy was never a good basketball player, period. Basketball is a team sport, this guy is a selfish head-case.

Let it go. It's absurd to consider signing AI to the Knicks.

Posted by JohnWallace44:

How can you be Blue Collar when you don't practice?

We talkin' practice?

Sounds like an interesting film Earl. Too bad there's no air date for it yet.

You're making a passionate argument Earl, but it's hard for me to see it working.

At this point, where is the jeopardy in signing Allen Iverson? In my opinion, "The Answer" would remedy several different needs on this team. The 1st being, a "go to guy"; Yes he is not your typical pass first point guard, but he does bring leadership in his own right.. but moreover will help us close in those late game situations. How many games have we seen over the past few seasons, in which we were only a few posessions away from a victory.

Secondly, A.I. fits the Donnie Walsh 2010 dream-- He would be a viable solution/ if not a stop gap option to 2010's goal. More Importantly could be the only player available on the market that will legitimately push us back into the playoff conversation.

I think that most fear his impact on the development of our young core? People within these forums have cited some sort of dysfunction amongst past players and/or coaches as well. I am not exactly worried about the impact he would have w/ his teammates as much.. primarily because most/ if not all reports that have surfaced merely state that he is not a playmaker for others... and tends to dominate the ball-- (the latter part is a justifiable concern, in light of MDA's desire to orchestrate a free flowing offensive/balanced attack). However, oustide of some beatwriters opinion I've rarely ever heard of his teammates speak about A.I. as a malcontent in the locker room. Nor have any reports surfaced that I am aware of that depict Allen Iverson having an inability to get along with his teammates. I have seen interviews of players endorsing Allen Iverson, Carmelo.. Marcus Camby.

I also believe that he would help with marketing levels as well. Allen Iverson is STILL a household name within the NBA. There is no denying that A.I. was an elite player in this league at one point!!! NYK could help him reclaim his career, and in turn he can help change the perception of the Knicks Organization from being a laughing stock around the league, to one that most opposing teams would view as a threat come game day. He in NO WAY should be considered as a Stephon Marbury type. Remember, D'Antoni had a history with Marbury prior from his Suns days- "He clearly didn't want him playing from jumpstreet!". I think if signed, D'Antoni being a players coach could find a way to help Allen I. succeed, keeping him happy, while still developing the young talent.

I may be giving MDA an enormous amount of credit in that regard, but I truly remain optimistic that he will have a higher probability of success w/ Iverson than Curry (Detroit's last Coach).

I like Sessions long term, but remain fearful that Milwaukee matches the offer... Overall, I cosign the Allen Iverson to NYK rumor mill-- I wouldn't be mad @ seeing him play in the Garden next year, at all!

Ah yes, remember those Olympics? Remember when AI was so crappy that Steph had to take the game over and set a Dream Team record for points scored to pull our arse out of the fire for one more game, delaying the inevitable disappointment?