Anthony, teammates don't want Iverson to retire
Carmelo Anthony wants an answer from “The Answer.’’
Anthony has heard the quotes from an unhappy Allen Iverson threatening to retire. The Nuggets forward hopes he’s not serious, and plans soon to contact Iverson.
“I’ll call him up and see what’s up,’’ Anthony said before Thursday’s game against Utah about reaching out to his former teammate, traded last November from Denver to Detroit. “I hope (Iverson isn’t serious about retiring). I don’t want to see him ago, but I don’t know his situation.’’
Iverson’s retirement threat was the talk of the Nuggets’ locker room before they faced the Jazz at the Pepsi Center. After recently going from being a starter to the bench and playing just 18 minutes Tuesday against Cleveland,, Iverson said, “I’d rather retire before I do this again.”
While no Denver player could be found who has had contact with Iverson, guard Anthony Carter said he has to take Iverson at his word.
“All you can do is go buy what’s he’s saying,’’ Carter said. “If he’s not happy, he’s got to do what he’s go to do… He’s got a lot left. Last year, he played great for us. I just wish him the best. He can still put up numbers and still bring out the fans. A lot of people like to see him play so it would be a big loss (if he retired).
“I don’t know what the deal is out there… That man has been playing 40-some minutes a game his whole career. To have to come off the bench and play 18 minutes, that’s a big difference when you still can play 40. That’s a big problem out there in Detroit out there right now.’’
Anthony agrees.
“I do feel bad for (Iverson) right now,’’ Anthony said. “I’m pretty sure there’s more to it than what we read (or see) on TV.’’
The Nuggets dealt Iverson on Nov. 3 for point guard Chauncey Billups, since-traded center Cheikh Samb and forward Antonio McDyess, who had his contract bought out. While the Nuggets (50-26) are 49-23 since Billups first suited up, the Pistons (36-39) are just 32-39 since Iverson’s debut.
“They’ve got all the keys to do it, but I’m really surprised with what they’ve (done) this season,’’ said Nuggets guard J.R. Smith. “(Iverson is) a competitor. He always wants to play. I think he feels he can play up to where he used to play. So it’s a team thing I guess.’’
Whatever happens with it, Iverson’s former teammates in Denver hope he’s not serious about stepping away from the game.
IF IVERSON RETIRES, I WILL NOT WATCH ANY NBA GAMES ANYMORE. BECAUSE HE DESERVES TO BE IN THE NBA AS LONG AS HE CAN STILL PLAY.HE HAS GIVEN EVERYTHING TO EVERY TEAM THAT HE HAS PLAYED WITH. PLAYED HURT, SCORED POINTS, DISHED SOME ASSISTS, REBOUNDED LIKE HELL. HE MAY NOT HAVE AN NBA BODY, BUT HE HAS A HEART THAT CAN PLAY ANY PHYSICAL SPORT IF HE WANTS TO. HE’S VERY DEDICATED TO WINNING, EVEN ALMOST GOT TO THE TOP WITH A BUNCH OF SUPPORTING ROLE PLAYERS. IF KOBE DOESN’T HAVE SHAQ AT THAT TIME, IT COULD HAVE ENDED VERY DIFFERENTLY…..HE MAY HAVE NOT ATTENDED SOME TEAM PRACTICE, LEFT EARLIER OR ARRIVED LATER. BUT WHEN HE’S ON THE FLOOR, HE GIVES IT EVERYTHING HE’S GOT, DOESN’T EVEN CARE IF HE GETS INJURED DOING IT, HE GOT INJURED AT ONE TIME AND STILL MANAGES TO FINISH THE GAME AND EVEN WIN IT…. IVERSON IS THE EPITOME OF A NEW AGE ATHLETE, HE KNOWS WHAT HE CAN DO AND DOES IT, KNOWS WHAT HE CANNOT BUT STILL THROWS EVERYTHING TO DO IT….HE MAY NOT BE YOUR IDEAL ROLE MODEL, BUT HE SURELY IS MINE.BECAUSE IVERSON PLAYS BASKELBALL JUST TO WIN GAMES OR TROPHIES OR RINGS OR ACCOLADES, HE DOES IT BECAUSE IT IS HIS LIFE.
That’s exactly how i feel. I will lose an immediate interest in watching the NBA if Iverson does retire. I’m an avid fan of the game, and I follow it like a reporter, but AI is who really made me LOVE this game. It bothers me to watch him in Detroit. Theres no way someone can go from averaging 26 pts, 7 asts, 2 stls, 45% FG, last year to basically obscurity this year. He doesn’t fit in detroit and I cant wait to see him move on this summer. People just need to respect that. And remember, Denver did win 50 games last year with him, so people stop acting like the team didn’t succeed to some extent.
A.I. is the hardest working player in the league. Denver would welcome him back. We need a SG that can play consistently. I want him to win a ring with the Nuggets retire a Nugget.
Jose you must be on CRACK
Karl would not let IVerson back in denver under any circumstances
honestly with JR they dont need him
he is still very good but needs to decide if he wants to be a starter or win a ring (because both will NOT happen)
he could be a sixth man for say the spurs or play for the bobcats – nab the 8th seed and get buried by BRON in the 1st round or retire – his choice but i’d say he should go for the ring
Sjay you my dog strictly representing for one of the most fearless competitors to play in the NBA. hopefully AI can find a team that appreciates athletes who put everything on the line to win. I mean isn’t that what’s basketball is all about. Allen Iverson is one of the greatest players to play the but he’ll never get any credit because the NBA is all about a fake ass cook up NBA image that everybody has up held except he, and because he chooses to be honest and true to his self the fake ass NBA and its commissioner chooses to down play his ability, and his honest integrity but that’s how the NBA operates. If you don’t act like an old school player or a goody two shoes then the NBA tries to make yo look like a “THUG.” Throughout my life time I’ve seen too many “THUGS” and trust me Allen Iverson only resembles one because he sure as hell does act like one. Hopefully our dog will find a good team next year and earn some well deserved respect because you earn mine at Georgetown University. “DON’T BUY ALL THAT FAKE ASS NBA CARES SHIT BECAUSE THEY ONLY CARE ABOUT MONEY MARKETING PLAYERS IN ORDER TO GET PAID.” WHY YA’LL THINK AI CUT HIS HAIR. “IMAGE”
man i think that al should team up with a tean like cleveland , boston, orlando, and he will get a ring with them teams
3rd highest career avg in the hisory of tha nba need we say more only two ahead of him the gtreat mj and wilt now whos tha punk 34 yrs old and still can score 30-35 points a game go to sleep or sumthing wacth tha swim team r something cuz yu really dnt know nothing bout baketsball thts clear SAM
Nas, you have no idea about Ivo. He is the best player in basketball, in his prime, and can average 30-35 ppg, 7-8 apg, 2-3 spg, on a title contending team.
He can start and win a champioship. If anyone thinks not, then they are totaly out of their minds, with no basketball intellect what so ever.
Stop writing such runish, you are not only a disgrace to basketball fans, but to nature.
your so full of crap!!! iverson is a punk, and i guarantee you will still be watching basketball even if that loser does the world a favor and retires. even if you stuck to that, is there anyone out there that would even care?
go to hell yu know nothing sam