A little bit more info on the Sixers-Iverson saga. During last night’s game, it was confirmed that Allen Iverson had asked to be traded, meaning he’s likely played his last game as a Philadelphia 76er. Immediately, I started thinking of a couple of scenarios as to where he’d be a good fit. I figured it’d be a team with some talent there already, but not enough to warrant a deep playoff run right now.

The most attractive option was Orlando, in my opinion. Putting Allen Iverson and beastly Dwight Howard on the same team would be one of the most dynamic duos in the NBA. The only thing comparable would be Dwyane Wade and Shaq. For now, Orlando hasn’t entered the fray. But another team has.

Kevin Garnett wants Allen Iverson. He really, really wants him. After last night’s win over Utah, Garnett made an open plea to Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations, Kevin McHale.

“Bring it on, I love ‘The Answer,”‘ Garnett said Friday night. “We welcome A.I. with open arms. Where’s Kevin McHale?”

What would be a better fit? Acquiring Iverson puts talks on hold about Garnett being traded. A superstar player like KG to has shown great loyalty to the Timberwolves, it’s time he be rewarded. We’ve seen what can do with talent around him. The Timberwolves were in the Western Conference Finals the only season they tried to put stars around Garnett (Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell).

Minnesota is off to a surprising 9-9 start, thanks to the great play of Garnett. They also have a couple other guys that are capable scorers in Ricky Davis and Mike James. Adding Iverson into the mix creates lots of scoring and lots of depth. It also creates a nice cast of character’s at Minnesota’s disposal. There’s Iverson, some Eddie Griffin, and maybe a cameo by famous white guy Mark Madsen. There’s lots of potential here. Let’s get it done.

Well, this Allen Iverson saga is escalating quickly. Allen Iverson has been sent home for the weekend and will miss tonight’s game against the Wizards, as well as tomorrow’s game against the Magic. The 76ers are saying its back spasms but Iverson has some other ideas.

“As hard as it is to admit, a change may be the best thing for everyone. I hate admitting that because I love the guys on the team and the city of Philadelphia. I truly wanted to retire a 76er.”

This might be a blessing in disguise for Iverson. He’s been extremely loyal to Philadelphia and he’s never been surrounded by lots of talent. Iverson has been brilliant on the court, albeit tough to handle at times, but the 76ers haven’t helped him much. And as I typed this sentence, Rodney Carney clanked a dunk. Somewhere, AI is laughing.

North of the border, first overall pick Andrea Bargnani is quietly having a nice rookie campaign. He’s scored in double figures six games in a row for the Raptors, who are somehow tied for 1st place in the Atlantic Division. But then again the Atlantic Division sucks. The 7-11 Raptors have been a pleasant surprise for me so far this year.

My Magic bandwagon is leaving the station soon so you better jump on. They’re simply owning the Southeast division with a record of 14-6. The Magic are getting double digit scoring from five guys, including the beastly Dwight Howard. Howard is scoring about 17 a game and bringing down 13 rebounds. Even better, JJ Redick hasn’t been a factor this season. He’s played only 13 minutes all season, meaning ESPN can’t jock him. If Redick can get healthy, the Magic have some more versatility because he’ll benefit from Howard being doubled. If he’s not healthy, put Dick Vitale on suicide watch.

Apparently, Allen Iverson really wants out of Philadelphia and he really hates bowling. He was the only no-show at a team “meet and greet” with sponsors and premier season ticket holders at a Philadelphia bowling alley. Maurice Cheeks has stated that he’ll be fined accordingly, just a couple of days after an argument at practice with Iverson.

Iverson is still the face of the franchise but it looks like he’s tired of that title in Philadelphia. And it’s hard to blame him. Iverson is again the NBA’s leading scorer with almost 32 points a game but has zero support outside of Chris Webber, one of my most hated athletes, and Kyle Korver. The 76ers are 5-9 (but hilariously, just 1/2 a game out in the Atlantic Division) and Iverson will likely have a new address within the next couple of months.

I’m just wondering why he would turn down a bowling event of all things. Bowling is extremely fun, even if you have to share a lane with Samuel Dalembert and Chris Webber. I don’t think I’ve ever turned down a night of bowling. But Iverson apparently had other plans last night. Maybe he doesn’t want to ruin his street cred?

I know it’d be a great honor to meet the corporate honchos over at Wachovia. It makes you wonder what Iverson was really up to that night, especially after leaving practice early because of fatigue. Everyone says Iverson will be traded at some point, but can you really imagine him on another team? I sure as hell can’t.

Since I can’t figure out the best way to conclude this article with a bowling joke, here’s clips from Iverson’s memorable “practice” speech.

Over the next month until opening night on October 31, I?ll be previewing one NBA team a day. Starting in the Eastern Conference, I?ll be starting with my lowest ranked team and continuing to the best, then switching conferences. Enjoy.

The Answer…and 11 Questions

I can’t help but start feeling sorry for Allen Iverson. For the last ten years, Iverson has poured his heart and soul into the 76ers organization and has received very little in return. The lone exception would probably be the 2001 acqusition of Dikeme Mutombo to help the team for the playoff run. Five years later, not much has changed. Iverson is still playing injured, scoring over 30 points a game, and getting little suport from elsewhere. Trade rumors involving Iverson went without action and AI will be returning to Philadelphia for an 11th season. Certain preseason rankings have the Sixers as the worst team in the East. I’m not that low on this team but outside of Iverson there isn’t much. There isn’t even a good mascot for this team. Unless you consider a rabbit named Hip-Hop a good mascot.

Overview

The 76ers haven’t started their exhibition season well. They became just the 3rd NBA team to lose to an international club since 1988, losing to FC Barcelona. The weakness of the Sixers doesn’t lie in their starting five but in their depth. There simply isn’t much to be excited about. Andre Igoudala could form a solid 1-2 punch with Iverson this season as he continues to improve. But unlike the 76ers playoff teams of the early 2000s, this one simply doesn’t have the same chemistry or leadership. That was pretty evident when Iverson and Webber were both late arrivals on Fan Appreciation Night.
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