Last year Iverson was suppossedly happy, and yet Larry Brown claims he was late for about 8932839832 games and practices. So what's going to happen now that the team superstar is an unhappy camper?

Show up on time, and work even harder than ever? That's what the team is hoping happens. That Iverson responds to this by proving everyone wrong and practicing as required and doing his job exactly the way his bosses expect him to.

Iverson has hoards of fans. He's the smallest player to win a scoring title in NBA history. He's perhaps the quickest guy on the planet, and is absolutely awesome to watch. Even when the 76ers get smacked around, you can almost always count on Allen Iverson to put up a great show. Seats are filled because of this.

But, it doesn't help the team to trade away their only superstar without receiving proper compensation. So, Allen stays. The big question now is how coach Larry Brown and Iverson will get along. Right now, they don't. But once pre-season approaches and training camp begins, they'll need to make peace and focus on winning basketball games. And that means doing their respective jobs.

It has to be pointed out that Jerry Stackhouse, Larry Hughes, and Tim Thomas were all traded away from Philadelphia, and all three showed substantial improvement on their new teams. Will Iverson be number four on that list? 

Also, Toni Kukoc, after putting up fantastic numbers as the lone good Chicago Bull, seemed to sink down in Philly and settle for standing in three-point range, waiting to catch and shoot the basketball.

Is this a reflection of the team's coaching? The team wins games, but the franchise seems to have lots of problems getting the most out of (and/or getting along with) their most talented players.

Theo Ratliff is doing very well. Anyone else?

My opinion is that Allen Iverson is too awesome a talent to give up on. Work with him. Get to know his friends. Compliment his tattoos. Get Pat Croce a cornrow hairstyle. Do whatever it takes. Many players start off a bit shaky before learning how to be a professional in this league. Dumping Iverson for a package adding up to less talent would be a big step backwards for the team. More losses. And less arena attendence in Philly. The Orlando Magic already cornered the market on scrapping a team yet succeeding with good feelings all around. The 76ers better hold onto their star and do what they can to build around him.

Pray, Sixers fans. Pray it all works out.

8/7/2000
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