Evidently, just being in the Motor City doesn't make Allen Iverson's engine go anymore than usual. The star point guard, who was recently traded to Detroit for Chauncey Billups in a blockbuster deal, reportedly went back to his old ways, skipping Thursday's practice. Iverson was the only player that failed to show for the Thanksgiving day workout, meaning once again, we're left to talk about practice.
Allen Iverson's character has been judged continually throughout his career. He's clashed with teammates and coaches alike, as well as the media. The former NBA MVP has put up stellar numbers his entire career, but it's his character that seems to define his career as a professional.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Perhaps Iverson's most infamous incident came off the court during a 2002 press conference when the media questioned the franchise player about his coach Larry Brown's allegations that he rarely showed up for practice, and pointing fingers at Iverson for the 76er's playoff loss. Iverson responded with the phrase "We're talkin' 'bout practice..." multiple times, and said the word "practice" at least twenty-five times during the one press conference.
It was confirmed from Piston's head coach Michael Curry that Iverson will be duly punished for missing this Thursday's practice. He will reportedly be fined in addition to having his starting position taken away in Friday's game against Milwaukee. Coach Curry was even considering sitting his star out the entire game.
Being Iverson is thirty-three years old and in the final year of his contract, the Pistons could easily part ways with the point guard at the season's end if his character over shadowed his play. However, if he continues to produce stats that fill up the box score and give the Pistons a chance to win, they may decide to keep him. For now, all that is certain is once again, "We're talkin' 'bout practice..."
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about 1 month ago
You would think that since the franchise took a very large risk on him, he would try and give something back. let's hope this doesnt become a recurring issue
about 1 month ago
The story is a joke. Allen Iverson would rather spend time with his family for Thanksgiving then to practice. It's not even a big deal. What the joke is that Michael Curry would even think of having a practice on Thanksgiving.
The only way a team should do anything on Thanksgiving is if there's a game that night. Otherwise the player should be at home with their families. It's also sad to see that no one else on the team thought their family was important and all were at practice. Too me that's sadder then Iverson being the only one not showing up.
from about 1 month ago
It's part of his job to go to practice. He gets paid to do so. If your boss told you to work on Thanksgiving, that'd be the right thing to do, report as told. It's not like he was asked to show up at meal time. He was asked to show up for a practice the day before a game. I'm sure he was still given an opportunity to spend time with his family and eat a Thanksgiving meal.
The point of the story is not to "make a big deal" out of it or put down Iverson. He's a grown man, he has the right to do what he wants. This story just lays down the facts. Another thing about it is, he obviously didn't attempt to ask to reschedule practice or say he absolutley couldn't come or speak up for the rest of the team, or he wouldn't be punished as he was. There could be more to it that the public isn't aware of yet.
If this was any other player, that didn't have the practice skipping history of Iverson, this wouldn't be as humorous as it is. We'll leave it at that.
from about 1 month ago
Allen does not have a job. He has a contract, you cannot compare his situation to a regular job. He does not show up he gets fined, that's it. happens all the time.
about 1 month ago
Good job reporting.
Iverson is 33.
about 1 month ago
Allen Iverson's first job is to be a husband to his wife and be a great father. His second job is to be the best basketball player he can be. I find it a joke that he even got fined. I must say Curry definitely has balls to even have practice on Thanksgiving.
Also, Iverson just moved to Detroit from Denver with his family. He more then likely hasn't had a whole lot of time to make sure everyone in his family has been doing. It's hard to move especially with kids having to change schools and so on.
The only thing that Iverson did wrong was not call the Pistons and say he's not coming in because he's with his family. They could have said ok thanks for the phone call we would appreciate you being here, but we understand that your family comes first and see how well they are doing with the move.
The only teams that should have been doing anything with their teams are the 4 teams that are playing tonight. Otherwise their players should be at home with their families. Sorry, but Curry is a joke to even have a practice on Thanksgiving.
from about 1 month ago
You're kidding right? Please tell me yes.
Wheather there should have been a practice or not isn't the debate. The point is there was a practice and you as a player of the team are required to show up. Period that's the end of the story. Every other one of the players showed up, and yeah maybe Rasheed, or Rip, or Tayshaun didn't like having practice on Thanksgiving morning but guess what. . . they showed up.
And do you know why they showed up? Because they realize they aren't the ones that are in charge. Iverson doesn't get that.
That thing you wrote about Iverson giving them a phone call is a complete joke. That wouldn't have worked on high school coaches much less a NBA Franchise that is trying to win a championship. There is no phoning in to say, I've decided not to come to practice today because I want to spend time with my family. I can't believe you even said that, have you ever played competitive sports?
from about 1 month ago
Michael...my point exactly! Having the practice isn't the issue here. Its the fact that there was practice and he wasn't there...
about 1 month ago
I'm sorry but practicing on Thanksgiving a holiday in which the players should be at home isn't going to do them one bit of a good in the long run except for players to be upset with coach Michael Curry. In fact most of them are in regards to having practice on Thanksgiving. The fine, the benching, and even possibly Iverson not playing is a joke.
from about 1 month ago
He was the ONLY one that didn't show up. Iverson is an awful teammate and worse employee. Millions of dads went to work on Thanksgiving, he just considers himself above the team. No surprise he has NEVER won any team awards. Stop being an apologist for these spoiled athletes...
about 1 month ago
I agree, though there shouldn't have been practice on Thanksgiving, Iverson still needed to go. Like Emily said, he is getting paid to be an NBA player, and that means you have to go to practice. His family is important, but practice is what, 90 minutes? And in the morning? He could still go home for several hours and spend time with him. The Pistons took a big gamble in getting Iverson and he needs to justify their trust.
from about 1 month ago
...it was not a gamble, it was a calculated risk.
about 1 month ago
...who cares, basketball players miss practice, come in late, miss planes, loose luggage, get divorced, use the toilet all the time. So do we. The coach needs to stop messing with the players heads by calling practice on a National holiday; they have very little time to spend with their families during the season as it is. If i was into Thanksgiving I might not have showed up either, just to make a point. Just because everybody agrees to something does not make it right, team or no team.
from about 1 month ago
A gamble is pretty much a calculated risk. Yeah, Curry shouldn't have had a pracitce, but at the very least Iverson could have let him know he wasn't coming if he was going to skip it. But you're right, it's not that big of a deal.
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