'Little' Iverson earns praise from NBA peers for influence

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Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

'Little' Iverson earns praise from NBA peers for influenceBy Art Garcia, NBA.com
Posted Nov 26 2009 12:22AM
Allen Iverson announced his intention to retire Wednesday, closing the door, for now, on a career marked by incredible personal highs and headline-grabbing controversies.
Iverson clearly believes he can still compete at a high level and contribute in a league where he spent 13 full seasons. The former MVP and 10-time All-Star played three games for Memphis this season, his first with the Grizzlies, before leaving the team amid questions of playing time and eventually being released.
Iverson fell into career limbo as several teams debated whether to sign perhaps the most talented "little" man in league history. Rumors in New York and Boston and elsewhere never materialized into substance, and A.I. delivered his goodbye via an open letter on Stephen A. Smith's Web site.
Iverson thanked his many fans, players that inspired him, former coaches and teammates, and the Grizzlies and Sixers, his first NBA team. But there was also a sense of remorse right off the top of the statement:
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"I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn't help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However, that is not the case."
Iverson isn't required to file retirement paperwork with the league office as a free agent. Since he's not under contract, Iverson isn't forfeiting any money by retiring. He remains free to sign with any team this season or in the future.
News of Iverson's retirement sent shock waves across the league. Players were quick to praise the contributions of the four-time scoring champ, who many credit for helping introduce a hip-hop element to the NBA.
"His legacy would be huge," said Cavaliers star LeBron James, a teammate of Iverson on the 2004 USA Olympic team. "He's one of the best guys, when you're talking guys 6-foot and under, to play the game of basketball. What he's done individually -- he played injured, he played hard every single night -- I don't think it should end this way if he's done.
"But at the same time if he does, he's left some great games behind. His name will live forever in the game of basketball."
Even without a title.
"It's not even the ring situation because lots of greats -- Charles Barkley doesn't have a ring, Patrick Ewing -- there's a lot of great NBA players who never got a ring," James continued. "But the way he's going out, I don't think it should be like that for him."
There's a strong belief Iverson can still play. Teams wanting him became the roadblock.
"It's sad, man, especially coming from a guy that's close to me, a friend," Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said. "To see him go out the way he's going out right now is not how he'd want to go out. It's almost like he's being forced to retire. It's a bad situation right now for him."
Mavericks guard Jason Kidd was glad Iverson made the decision on his terms.
"He has the right to do what he wants and if it's time for him to step aside, then that's his choice," Kidd said. "Everybody's gonna have their opinion these days and as long as he's happy, that's the most important thing."
Nuggets coach George Karl was shocked by the retirement announcement. Iverson was traded to Denver in 2006 and moved to Detroit last year.
"Yeah, I am surprised," Karl said. "I think he has something left to give some team out there, but if that's his decision he'll go down in history as the best little guard ever to play the game of basketball. I was happy to have him for a couple of years. Hopefully, our paths will cross."
Anthony said, "He got dealt a bad hand from when he went to Detroit up until right now. Everything's just been kind of spiraling downhill. I don't ever want to see anybody go through something like that, especially a guy with his talent. And somebody who can still go out there and be productive."
Spurs backup center Theo Ratliff played with Iverson in Philadelphia from 1997-01.
"While we were all there we basically grew up together with that team," Ratliff said. "We were at the bottom of the league, but by that third or fourth year we were at the top. It was just a growing up process. He was a young guy who had his issues, but he was a very giving and very understanding guy of his family, which was his teammates and his immediate family.
"It was no secret that he was a guy who had his entourage, his people that he grew up with and he felt that he needed to take care of them. He was at the top of the league at the time. He was the No. 1 star, the face of the league. Of course you're going to have everyone with their hand out ready and willing to ask for anything. And he was a guy who most of the time gave. That was the kind of guy he was."
Whatever issues he had off the court, Iverson was almost universally respected by his peers on the hardwood.
"I hope he doesn't retire because I know there's still a lot of basketball left," Bobcats guard Stephen Jackson said. "I know he really wants to play the game and still has love for the game, but if he does much love and respect to him always.
"He's always been a big brother. He showed me that I can be myself in this league regardless of what people say as long as I go out there and respect the game. That's the type of person that he was. He laid the foundation for a lot of guys like me. I have nothing but respect for him and wish him the best."
Warriors guard Corey Maggette said, "He's been one the faces of the NBA. Everybody respects A.I. A lot of people in the league started getting braids because of him. He's influenced the league so much. That's just the real talk."
"He's been so much fun to watch," said Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki. "At the size that he is and the way he performed over so many years, he'll definitely be missed in the league if he retires."
Iverson's competiveness and toughness are legendary.
"Everybody talked about competing pound-for-pound," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, an assistant on the 2004 USA Olympic team. "He was just one hell of a competitor. I don't care what he weighed or how tall he was, he sacrificed his body a lot and took a pounding and played hurt a lot."
"That [retirement] has to be rough for him, because I know the type of competitor he is," Ratliff said. "I wished it wouldn't have gone the way it went toward the end of his career. You can never predict how you end your career. I just hope he has his life in order and keeps on moving forward."

withyouUID: 2112760

阿伦-艾弗森今天正式宣布退役，他通过ESPN专栏作家斯蒂芬-史密斯的个人网站发表了退役声明。

艾弗森退役声明截图
“致我所有的球迷：
我在这里宣布，我已经打算结束自己在NBA的职业生涯。在我离开赛场（11月8日离开灰熊）之后，我一直在考虑这件事情，因为我并没有以我所承诺的方式帮助我的球队。
当然，这已经不是重点了。
但直到现在，我对篮球运动仍然满怀热情，我渴望比赛，仍然保持着最高的竞技水准。
离开赛场之后，我将有更多的时间陪伴我的妻子和孩子，对我来说，他们是我人生中得到的最美好的馈赠，远超过我在篮球场上得到的一切。在做出这个决定的时刻，我将它视为最珍贵的礼物，并为此真诚祈祷。
我要感谢赞助商和所有的工作人员，在我整个职业生涯中，他们一直支持我做我自己。现在我可以说，在NBA，我度过13个足够精彩的赛季，我为此心怀感激。
我希望在第一时间，让所有我的球迷们知道这件事。没有你们，我不会成为现在的我。13年间，你们从未从我身边离开，我从内心深处深深地感谢你们。
我还要感谢迈克尔-乔丹、“魔术师”约翰逊、伊赛亚-托马斯、查尔斯-巴克利和拉里-伯德，是你们给我了打篮球的动力，而它将永存我心底。
感谢我的妈妈、家人和朋友，你们的支持，是我最初的动力。

感谢我的高中教练迈克尔-伯利、乔治城大学的教练约翰-汤普森以及拉里-布朗，还有我所有的队友、球队工作人员，你们是我职业生涯中不可缺少的一部分，谢谢你们。
而在这里，我还想对孟菲斯的球迷们表达我特殊的感谢。我没有为灰熊队打过一场主场比赛，但我希望你们知道，我有多么感激海斯利先生给过我这样一个机会，以及整个城市曾给过我的支持。我真诚地祝愿孟菲斯灰熊队能够取得更多的成功。
最后，致我爱的费城：我穿着76人的球衣度过了最值得铭记的时光。感谢所有的球迷，你们的声音对我来说，永远是最美妙的音乐。
上帝保佑所有人。
阿伦-艾弗森”

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Iverson addresses retirement in letter to fans

By Official statement
Posted Nov 25 2009 9:01PM
TO ALL OF MY FANS:

I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association. I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn't help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However, that is not the case.
I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play, and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level.
Stepping away from the game will allow me to spend quality time with my wife and kids. This is a reward that far exceeds anything that I've ever achieved on the basketball court. I have prayed for this day and I see it as my greatest gift.
I want to thank the people of Reebok International Ltd., for always allowing me to be me and for supporting me my whole career through all the ups and downs. I have enjoyed 13 wonderful seasons in the NBA, and I am grateful.
I want to first acknowledge my fans everywhere, who have been with me throughout my entire career. Without you, there would be no me. You should all know that I appreciate your support from the bottom of my heart. Thank you!
To Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Charles Barkley and Larry Bird, you guys gave me the vision to play the game that will be forever in my heart.
To my Mom, who encouraged and inspired me to play every day, and to all of my family and friends who stood by me from the beginning. Thank you!
To my high school coach, Michael Bailey, Coach John Thompson at Georgetown University, Coach Larry Brown and to all of my other coaches, teammates, administrators, owners and staff who've been a part of my career, Thank you as well!
I'd like to give a special thanks to the people of Memphis. I never played a home game for your beloved Grizzlies, but I want you to know how much I appreciate the opportunity given me by a great owner in Michael Heisley, and the support of the city. I wish the Memphis Grizzlies' organization all of the success that the game has to offer.
And finally, to the city of Philadelphia: I have wonderful memories of my days in a Sixers' uniform. To Philly fans, thank you. Your voice will always be music to my ears.
God Bless all of you,
ALLEN IVERSON

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Report: Iverson announces retirement from the NBA

Posted Nov 25 2009 11:07PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- With no apparent interest from NBA teams, Allen Iverson is set to retire, according to an online report.

Commentator Stephen A. Smith published a statement on his Web site Wednesday attributed to Iverson. It said Iverson plans to retire but also that "I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level."

The statement also said Iverson has tremendous love for the game and the desire to play, adding there is "a whole lot left in my tank."

Related Story

Read Allen Iverson's full statement as he announces his retirement from the NBA. Read Full Article
"His legacy would be huge," Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star LeBron James said. "He's one of the best when you talk about guys 6-foot and under in the game of basketball. He played injured and he played hard every single night. I don't think it should end this way, but if it does, he's left a lot of great things behind."

The 10-time All-Star played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.

It was the second straight ugly ending for Iverson, who was unhappy last season playing for the Pistons. He was upset that Detroit coach Michael Curry and Memphis' Lionel Hollins used the former MVP as a reserve.

The New York Knicks considered signing Iverson last week after he cleared waivers, before deciding he would take too much playing time away from younger players they are trying to develop.

The Knicks seemed to be the only team who would consider bringing in Iverson, so there was no guarantee he'd play in the NBA this season, anyway. Still, the announcement Wednesday came as a surprise to George Karl, who coached Iverson in Denver.

"I think he still has something left to give some team out there. If that's his decision, he'll go down in history, I think, as the greatest little guard ever to play the game of basketball," Karl said.

"I was happy to have him for a couple years and hopefully our paths will cross. But I have a sneaky feeling that somewhere along the way an injury or a circumstance with a team will open that window back up."

One of the NBA's great scorers, Iverson entered this season with a career average of 27.1 points that ranked fifth all time. Yet there was almost no interest in him this summer before he went to the Grizzlies on a one-year deal.

Iverson can still score, as he averaged 17.4 points with the Pistons last season. Yet he has made it clear he doesn't view himself as a backup, which has likely hurt his chances of signing with a contending team.

The 6-foot guard thanked former players and coaches in the statement, plus the fans in Memphis and Philadelphia, where he spent his best years. He said stepping away would allow him to spend more time with his wife and kids.

He also said he thought he could still play after 14 seasons.

"I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn't help my team the way that I was accustomed to," it read. "However, that is not the case."

Messages were left for Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, and his business manager, Gary Moore.

If this is the end for Iverson, he leaves with four scoring titles and a playoff scoring average of 29.7 points that ranks second only to Michael Jordan. He led the 76ers to the 2001 NBA finals but never won a championship.

Or he could choose to wait and see if a team in need of a scorer comes looking for him later this season.

"I don't ever believe anyone retires until they get to the point they have to," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "He had a great career if it is true, but I still think he has more to offer."

冰火NaNaUID: 2287862

哎。。‘’

withyouUID: 2112760

这条新闻，怎一个伤心了得......

小狐狸同志UID: 2154652

wave。。。

yogurt4UID: 198389

哪个叫他把话说的这么死，说自己不做替补的。。。华来士都去boston打替补了 。。。。一个时代的结束，sigh