Allen Iverson – “Stepping away from the game will allow me to spend quality time with my wife and kids. This is a reward that far exceeds anything that I’ve ever achieved on the basketball court. I have prayed for this day and I see it as my greatest gift.”
“I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association.” This is the statement come from Iverson, one of the NBA’s great scorers who averaging 29.7 point a game.
It was been circulated that Allen Iverson reason for taking a leave of absence in Memphis was due to a reserve role given to him by the said team. He was been unhappy with this treatment which same treatment he got from Detroit Piston his former team before signing a contract in Memphis Grizzlies whom he has played in three games this season. Knowing him that he can still compete at the highest level in the basketball court with his currently strong physical condition I have no doubt that making him just a backup player with a limited playing time are the primary reason of leaving Memphis and Piston. In my opinion, with this happening on his basketball career plus an unbelievable no NBA teams showing interest on him this guy was really upset and later decided to retire.
Following this announcement colleagues from Industry have the following remarks for Allen Iverson.
From his biggest supporter his old coach George Karl..
“I think he still has something left to give some team out there. If that’s his decision, he’ll go down in history, I think, as the greatest little guard ever to play the game of basketball,”
“I was happy to have him for a couple years and hopefully our paths will cross. But I have a sneaky feeling that somewhere along the way an injury or a circumstance with a team will open that window back up.”
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star LeBron James..
“His legacy would be huge. He’s one of the best when you talk about guys 6-foot and under in the game of basketball. He played injured and he played hard every single night. I don’t think it should end this way, but if it does, he’s left a lot of great things behind.”
former Nuggets teammate Carmelo Anthony..
“Its sad man, especially coming from a guy that’s close to me and a friend. To see him go out the way he’s going out right now, it’s not like he wants to go out, he’s almost being forced to retire. It’s a bad situation right now.
“It was just, he got dealt a bad hand from when he went to Detroit up to right now. Everything kind of spiraled downhill. I never want to see nobody go through nothing like that, especially a guy with his talent, somebody who can still go out there and be productive.”
Boston coach Doc Rivers said..
“I don’t ever believe anyone retires until they get to the point they have to,”
“He had a great career if it is true, but I still think he has more to offer.”
Lastly, Iverson comment with his announcement..
“I always thought that when I left the game it would be because I couldn’t help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However that’s not the case. I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level.
Allen Iverson was once league’s most popular player with his cross over trademark. He has won MVP, lead 76ers to 2001 NBA finals, four scoring titles and a playoff scoring average of 29.7 points that ranks second only to Michael Jordan. These are the records to be left if Allen Iverson is set to retire..
Previous and Next PostRelated posts: