No more answer

Kind of a sad day in the NBA today. One of my favorite players decided to hang up his sneakers in an unexpected move. Allen Iverson is retired. This may not be a permanent retirement because I am sure he will come back if somebody offers him a job. But unfortunately, nobody wants him right now and he has decided to retire at least for now. His reluctance and refusal to come off the bench is definitely stupid and it's sad he is not willing to give up on that. If he is willing to come off the bench, I am sure he will have a job. He was unemployed and it is definitely a more honorable option to retire than be unemployed for someone at his level. But as a fan, retirement hits you a little differently than him just being unemployed. I feel kinda sad and disappointed. AI was an exciting, fun, speedy, entertaining, small guard who played hard and hurt most of the time. You won't find too many "answers" like him under 6 feet.

AI is 34 years old and for a guard, he is a little old. I would compare him to a big guy like Shaq who is 37 now because small guys rely a lot more on speed than big dudes. But Shaq is still employed and is a starter. In fact, there is no question about Shaq ever coming off the bench, though that might happen now given how well the Cavs are playing without him the last few games! AI is at a stage where he is too old for young teams that are in a rebuilding mode. A team like Memphis had no business signing him in the first place. But then again, it's the same team that traded for Zach Randolph and traded away Pau Gasol. So who's really surprised if the Grizz wants to bring in AI for a year to sell tickets or whatever. But then why would you not start him? Thats a classic case of the front office and the coaching staff not being on the same page. AI should be willing to come off the bench, but for Memphis, I am not so sure. I think both sides were at fault on this.

If he is not a good fit for a young team, he would have been a great fit for a contender who can use a little offensive firepower. But 2 problems there. First, AI is refusing to come off the bench. Contending teams would love a player like that off the bench. Secondly, AI has always been a focal point in his team. He is also a guard who needs to have the ball in his hands a little too much. Good teams are probably afraid he would be too disruptive. Sometimes in life, perception is reality and AI definitely is a victim of how he is being perceived. With his off court issues and his history, teams were already reluctant to touch him and his refusal to come off the bench shoved the good teams away from him for good. Shaq is old, Shaq's game is disruptive too, but he is a good seed and a team player. Teams don't think the same of AI. I still hope somebody will pick him up and he'll un-retire. Dude is still quick and can cross fools over in a split-second, but he has to be willing to make some compromises. As you can tell, I am sympathetic to this guy and his style of play and his toughness is a big reason why people like me support him. He is a little guy with a lot of heart.

The Answer entertained us for years and I am thankful for that on this thanksgiving eve.