I sat there last night and watched Allen Iverson lose it in during his news conference to announce his return to Philadelphia.
The relationship he has with the city is amazing. There’s a love for Allen Iverson that I haven’t seen for any other athlete in the last couple of decades.
He said yesterday and I agree that it’s special, emotional and very unusual. Inspite of any shortcomings or percieved shortcomings he may have, Allen Iverson excites hundreds of thousands of people in the area and there’s no denying it.
Where will this story end and will it be a positive end? I don’t know and neither does anyone else.
The key will be whether he tows the line that he says he’s going to.
Will he obey the team rules and try to help the younger players?
Sixers GM Ed Stefanski says he went over everything the Sixers expected and wanted from him with A.I., so he knows what is expected of him.
Will he blow up or go along with the team first concept if he doesn’t start or spends a great deal of time on the bench?
During the news conference Stefanski let it be known that they didn’t guarantee him a starting job, so he knows the deal.
But will he stay in line or revert to the old A.I. who belongs to the “Me Phi Me” fraternity.
Allen seems very sincere last night but we’ll have to wait to see if he can maintain that sincerity over a longer period of time.
The key date if January 10th because the Sixers can release him between now and then and not have to pay all of his salary.
