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-------------------- January 14, 2005 Played out Philly act.
After being drafted in 1996 his first season was marvelous. He wasn't perfect but we just figured many minor holes in his game would be worked out overtime. The year is now 2005, he's now in his 9th season and Allen Iverson still has the same flaws he used to have. Chief concern in his game has been and is still his inefficient field goal attempt mark. It has hovered around 40% and has even been lower. Other players of his caliber in comparison rack numbers in the high 40's on average. New York's Stephon Marbury has a 46% mark, Cleveland's Lebron James is at 49%. Though Houston's Tracy McGrady and the Lakers Kobe Bryant are at 42 and 40 respectively, this season is the exception for them. Allen however as always been at such a mark. Another glitche in his game is his inability to bulk up. Historically he simply rejected the idea, but we haven't heard news of it anymore. The simple fact though is that he needs to add weight. Bulking up would allow him to convert on many of his drives to the basket, instead of registering another missed attempt. Probably the most looked over niggle in The Answer's game is his continued reliance on his sultry physical ability. Sure basketball is a sport, but for true success and longevity a player has to develop and perfect a few trademark moves that are sure to get him desired result a good deal of the time. Because Allen Iverson still relies on his quickness, and jumping ability, that explains why some games he will dominate and other games (against the wrong defender) he will be ordinary. Legendary examples (defenders always new these were coming but the first rate polish and perfection still caught them off guard): Michael Jordan's bread and butter move, the fade away jumper, was nearly impossible to stop. Why? it was perfected. What I consider the best post move ever was probably Hakeem Olajuwon's dream shake. That one was tuned to elude. And it worked. Time after time. What should hurt hardcore Philly fans is that while other fans at other venues are enjoying upgraded shows Iverson is still giving them the same 1996 edition of himself. Maybe a few years updated, but not the nine year update they deserve. In New York...well at least they're leading the division. In cleveland Lebron matured after just one season, Miami's remodeling job has yielded a contender. And while no one thinks of him as such, Steve Francis is Allen Iverson's strongest competition, and this season he has the heads up on Allen. You don't see that connection? Guess it must be a D.C area thing. They're both from the Washington D.C Metro area, they each wear #3 and have the same sponsor. Oh yeah Reebok might now consider making Steve Francis they main man now, or at least give him more publicity. After nine seasons, we hold these remarks to be self evident that Allen Iverson hasn't improved with the times. -------------------- Next: All that glitters is not gold Previous: Top 10 NBA oldies but goodies Back to articles © 2001-2005 H o o p s C o r n e r . c o m, All rights reserved Terms of service Privacy policy Contact |
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