AI would rather retire than come off the bench?

[o_capone]

allen iverson didn't ask for the pistons, the pistons asked for allen iverson... why the hell would you trade for a man, knowing his game, and expect him to change... he has been the sam AI his whole career.... the detroit pistons did allen iverson wrong, he did not do them wrong...

[Stumbleweed]

Agreed. They gave him big minutes and were winning at the same percentage early in the season, but Curry scuttled that and now they just did him dirty starting Stuckey and Rip instead of AI/Rip. It's clear that it was a salary cap move, but they honestly should've just cut him if this is what they had planned -- they're paying the $21 mil for this season anyway...

He could've handled it better, but he's always said that he'd retire before he falls off the #1 or #2 spots on the scouting report. He's a prideful guy who knows that he's worked his *** off every game he's played, played hurt, etc. and now he's getting trashed like he's just a spoiled crybaby. The back issue was legitimate, but there's no way to know if he's healthy now or not -- those things come and go, and it might've limited his effectiveness where he knew that he wouldn't play at a high enough level to get more than 20 minutes through the playoffs. I don't think it was a "take my ball and go home" kind of thing -- the whole situation mututally wasn't working out at this point in the year, the Pistons are just seeing dollar signs coming off the books, and AI feels (rightfully) that he's been disrespected. Just a bad situation all-around... hope he finds a good spot next year.

[GSW]

he refused to come off the bench man.

then he quit.

why are you sticking up for him.

[PrettyT11]

Quote: Originally Posted by GSW

he refused to come off the bench man. then he quit. why are you sticking up for him.

No he didn't refuse to do anything. He said he would rather retire than play 18 mis a night and not be the guy he is used to being. NEVER did he say I won't play or don't put me in the game. Making a comment and refusing to do something is two different things.

As far as him quiting I don't recall seeing any statements from him saying I can't play or don't want to play. Joe Dumars and the Pistons are the ones who said he was sitting out the rest of the year not Iverson. It is also funny to me that the other guy who has big money coming off the books is all of a sudden being made come off the bench too.

The Pistons are cutting their losses and getting ready for the off season. Nowhere in any of this has Iverson said he wasn't going to play or refused to play. The man has a legit injury. If the team decides to sit him down there is nothing he can do about it.

[GSW]

If you think he took the high road and the pistons ****ted on him i have some white mud in my back yard to show you.

After the thanksgiving day practce episode curry basically was over him, but STILL he let rip come off the bench, rip is a care bear too though because he was complaining as well...he sucked it up though.

if you really think allen iverson is unable to play hoop right now because his back is hurt then i dont know what to say.

he did not want to come off the bench, and after the 15,18 minute trial period he said fk it, and quit...probably said this isnt working out, why dont i jsut go home, and they both agreed.

INSTEAD, he shoulda manned up, came off the bench, and not let will bynum out play him.

[DC]

AI is my dude, but yes he basically gave up on the team because he was not happy with the role. It is simple as that.

[GSW]

Quote: Originally Posted by DCAllAmerican

AI is my dude, but yes he basically gave up on the team because he was not happy with the role. It is simple as that.

all i was saying.

[Stumbleweed]

They gave up on him as well -- he was legitimately injured for a while (possibly still... none of us know what the situation is there) and they didn't feel he was playing at a high enough level to justify giving him more than 18 minutes when he did play. If they didn't have the "he's just cap sapce" argument, it would look like outright disrespect rather than "planning for the future". Whatever happened, he didn't get the minutes he deserves, and I don't blame him for not wanting to be a bit player in what will surely be a first round playoff exit.