Is Allen Iverson still The Answer?

Allen Iverson will return to the team that drafted him in the NBA and made him “a household name” (according to him) this Monday in Philadelphia. For everyone going to that game, he will bring an excitement that has been missing from the Sixers since the day he left. Even though most people (including myself) thought it was time for him to go when he was eventually traded to the Nuggets, I am welcoming him back with open arms. Why, you ask?

In 2006, it was clear that Iverson was not the same player, nor were the Sixers the same team, that could compete for a championship. Rather then trying to rebuild another successful team with role players around Allen, it made logical sense to free up his salary space, get really bad, and shoot for a high pick in the lottery over the next few seasons. After all, that’s who you rebuild in the NBA (thanks to guaranteed contracts and players like Glenn Robinson, aka Elton Brand).

Unfortunately, the Sixers never became one of the worst teams in the NBA, struggling to make the playoffs each year, only to get knocked out by a much higher seed in the first round. Without any drastic change, teams like this are destined to be stuck in “no man’s land” of the NBA – too good to get in the lottery and get significant help from the draft, but not good enough to ever compete among the elite teams in the playoffs.

So why bring #3 back, other than for “basketball” reasons, such as needing a point guard to replace Lou Williams while he’s injured?

Fan excitement. Let me say that I’m not under the delusion that Iverson will bring back the excitement of 2001 and lead us into the NBA finals to face the Lakers once again. But, he does offer what this team has failed at miserably, other than winning basketball games – me caring about basketball again. Regardless of how well he plays or how many more (or less) games they win, I will watch the Sixers, something I have been unable to stomach much of over the last few seasons. No matter how much he “has left in the tank”, or whether or not I think he will hurt the development of younger players (what players?), he will still bring the energy and passion that we grew to love him for back to Philadelphia.

Do you think this was a good move? Do you think he’ll help this team win, lose, or make no difference? Do you care about basketball enough to even finish reading this article (obviously you do if you’re reading this far)? I have a feeling a lot of people will be watching Monday night, whether or not they admit to it. I’m just glad to have a reason to talk about basketball again. Maybe his nickname this time around will be, “The Reason”? Just a thought…