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Iverson to Europe?
Now_Im_Not_Banned:
Iverson Headed Overseas?
By: Yannis Koutroupis
8/3/09 1:38 PM ET
For the first time this summer Allen Iverson has received an offer close to his liking, just not from an NBA team. Olympiacos is reportedly close to proposing a two-year contract worth $10 million to Iverson, the exact same deal that Nate Robinson turned down.
Olympiacos presents a very lucrative and interesting option for Iverson, who hasn't been treated well by free agency so far. Few teams have been open to the idea of signing Iverson and those who are aren't willing to make a major commitment.
Iverson has a lot working against him right now as he's opposed to coming off the bench and still feels like he's a star despite his decaying skills. NBA teams won't be open to signing him to a long-term contract until he opens up to accepting a smaller role.
Judging by what Iverson is looking for Olympiacos may be the best place for him. Not only are they bringing more money and years to the table, but with them he'd also be a star. Iverson would undoubtedly start for the team and be the featured player offensively with the green light to do as he pleases.
The main competition in the NBA for Olympiacos is the Miami HEAT and New York Knicks. Both franchises are in need of a starting point guard and definitely have some minutes available for A.I. However, neither of them would give Iverson more than a one-year deal for a portion of the mid-level exception.
It's always nice to have security and a fallback plan, which is really what Olympiacos provides for Iverson. It's unlikely that Iverson accepts the deal even though it's significantly more than anything that has come from an NBA team. Iverson is a family man now though, making packing up and moving to Greece for a few months extremely tough. Sure the money is better, but you can't put a price on being close to your family and it's not like Iverson is hurting financially anyway.
Most importantly, there's unfinished business for Iverson in the NBA. He's been too successful over the past 13 years to go out on a note like he did with the Detroit Pistons. Iverson basically served as the scapegoat for their nightmare season because of his inability to adapt to his new teammates and coaching staff
.
The final stages of a career always play a major role with the legacy that is left behind. The 2001 NBA Finals appearance and scoring titles are becoming a distant memory as Iverson struggles. Everyone knows that he can score and that he's one of the toughest players to ever play the game. Now it's time for him to do the one thing that few people think he can do: be the ultimate teammate.
Whether it be the Knicks, HEAT, Grizzlies, or Clippers that Iverson ultimately signs on with its time for him to change his mindset. If Iverson can accept less minutes and shot attempts while helping a young team take the next step he may find the open market much more rewarding next summer. Everyone reaches a point in their career where they have to adjust and change and for Iverson this is it if he wants to be remembered as one of the best.
Funny to see how fast he went from a top asset in this league to not even worth the MLE....... :-X
Chamillitary Click:
nobody wants him starting, but he won't sit on the bench.
i wouldn't want to see him making this move, but i mean it would be the first to open the door for huge, HOF superstars to go to Europe.
if he goes, you may see more past-prime greats heading there at the end of their careers.
StreetsAllSalute:
LOL!!!!!
OchoCinco:
lol pretty sad actually, funny how he gets offered the same as Nate Robinson and Nate turned it down.
thisoneguy360:
Damn, hate to see this shit.
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