Sixers Fine Webber and AI

[1Parker1]

PHILADELPHIA -- Maurice Cheeks had just finished calling Allen Iverson the ultimate gamer, who always played hard and always gave his full effort for his teammates and fans.

That was before the Sixers coach was informed by a reporter about 55 minutes before Tuesday night's tipoff against New Jersey that Philadelphia's franchise player was not yet at the game, and neither was Chris Webber.

So Cheeks left for the locker room, saw for himself the jerseys hanging in the locker, and returned to tell reporters the duo were "not going to play tonight," against New Jersey.

The 76ers will fine Iverson and Webber for not being at the arena 90 minutes before the game against the Nets, and their top-two leading scorers did not show up in the locker room until the game tipped off.

"They should be here, they're not here and it will be addressed," team president Billy King said.

King said he knew at Tuesday morning's shootaround that Iverson and Webber would be given the home regular-season finale off because of injuries. But King did expect the duo to be at the game. Iverson was to miss the game with an ankle injury, and Webber had a sore back.

"I'd like them to be here, hell yeah," an agitated King said on the court about 45 minutes before tip. "They're not and I'm going to take care of it."

With reporters staked out awaiting the duo's arrival, King walked by the horde minutes before tip and let loose with a profanity-laced rant when pressed again about their absence.

"Our team is not good right now, I know that," King said, his voice rising with every word.

When asked what King should say to the fans who bought tickets thinking they might see Iverson's last game as a Sixer, he walked off.

Iverson is second in the league in scoring (33.0 ppg), and averaging 7.6 assists. Webber's averaging 20.2 points. The Sixers started Willie Green, and Steven Hunter in their place.

The Sixers were eliminated from the Eastern Conference playoff race on Sunday. They are scheduled to close out the season in Charlotte on Wednesday. Cheeks said the pair might not make the trip.

"If they're not playing tonight, they're probably not playing tomorrow," Cheeks said.

Cheeks never said Iverson or Webber was not going to play for the 20 minutes he talked to reporters before he was told they had not arrived at the Wachovia Center. He looked dejected when he returned and slumped in his seat, looking much like he did 11 days ago when he remained at the postgame press conference podium, ice bottle on his head, with the lights turned out.

When asked if he was disappointed in the duo, Cheeks said, "I'm done man."

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2413093

[1Parker1]

:wow Drama-rama. Good thing I didn't buy the tickets to today's game.

I can't even imagine the Sixers without AI next season, but it's honestly looking like a possibility.

[Darrin]

They should've honestly traded him after last season. Things have been moving towards a Iverson-Garnett partnership for years.

[1Parker1]

Things have been moving towards a Iverson-Garnett partnership for years.

Here in Philly???? :)

Or in Minnisota? :(

[Darrin]

Here in Philly???? :)

Or in Minnisota? :(

Good question. It's a thought I've had for awhile because they are treated so similarily in the media. I think the NBA would net more money by having them in a larger market, and that means in Philadelphia.

[Kori Ellis]

I think they might both be moved. But I doubt they'll end up together.

[Darrin]

I think they might both be moved. But I doubt they'll end up together.

My biggest fear is that KG ends up on a Miami or Cleveland, New Jersey or Washington.

[atxrocker]

these guys showed no fucking class.. this team is in rebuild mode anyways.

[Darrin]

these guys showed no fucking class.. this team is in rebuild mode anyways.

The Problem is that is should've started right after Larry Brown left. Brown says the reason he left is because he had bought into the culture that Iverson played by a different set of rules than Samuel Dalembert. When Iverson publicly courted those "different rules," I would've told him to take a flying leap. Not because I hate stars, but because, as Billy King, I'd realize a problem here. I have a lot of veterans with multiple injuries and this raw package of goods of unproven talent that will take years to develop.

I'll take the hit and make it easier on myself by moving his contract so that I can get the highest return possible for Iverson (28-years-old), who straddles these older veterans (31-36-years-old) and these young guys (21 to 25-years-old).

Oh, well hindsight is 20/20. I just expect the GMs of this league to think past this season, and the guys at the bottom of the league are the ones who don't, or the guys who get to the top, and two seasons later they are perennially in the lottery.

I beginning to think 2000-01 was the worst thing that could happen to the Sixers and Iverson. They stopped struggling to figure out what was wrong and by extension, improving their team. They didn't realize they were benefitting from a weak or aging frontcourt of every single Eastern Conference Team.

[TDMVPDPOY]

me, myself and iverson meets you, yourself and webber....

[Darrin]

me, myself and iverson meets you, yourself and webber....


:lol

[ALVAREZ6]

AI and C-Webb fucked up last night. Idiots.


They don't even go out to the bench and appreciate their fans, after the shit they've been through for cheering them on even though they come up short, when they were predicted to make the playoffs easily this season.

Billy King is pissed, and he should be.


I still want AI to be a Sixer though, this team needs him, and people who call him selfish, that's BS.

The only guys that I want on the Sixers for next season from this season are AI, Iguodala, and Dalembert...and maybe Steven Hunter.

But fuck everyone else, re-build this team.

[alamo50]

I just feel bad for coach Cheeks....

[spurofthemoment]

PHILADELPHIA -- Maurice Cheeks had just finished calling Allen Iverson the ultimate gamer, who always played hard and always gave his full effort for his teammates and fans.

That was before the Sixers coach was informed by a reporter about 55 minutes before Tuesday night's tipoff against New Jersey that Philadelphia's franchise player was not yet at the game, and neither was Chris Webber.

So Cheeks left for the locker room, saw for himself the jerseys hanging in the locker, and returned to tell reporters the duo were "not going to play tonight," against New Jersey.

The 76ers will fine Iverson and Webber for not being at the arena 90 minutes before the game against the Nets, and their top-two leading scorers did not show up in the locker room until the game tipped off.

"They should be here, they're not here and it will be addressed," team president Billy King said.

King said he knew at Tuesday morning's shootaround that Iverson and Webber would be given the home regular-season finale off because of injuries. But King did expect the duo to be at the game. Iverson was to miss the game with an ankle injury, and Webber had a sore back.

"I'd like them to be here, hell yeah," an agitated King said on the court about 45 minutes before tip. "They're not and I'm going to take care of it."

With reporters staked out awaiting the duo's arrival, King walked by the horde minutes before tip and let loose with a profanity-laced rant when pressed again about their absence.

"Our team is not good right now, I know that," King said, his voice rising with every word.

When asked what King should say to the fans who bought tickets thinking they might see Iverson's last game as a Sixer, he walked off.

Iverson is second in the league in scoring (33.0 ppg), and averaging 7.6 assists. Webber's averaging 20.2 points. The Sixers started Willie Green, and Steven Hunter in their place.

The Sixers were eliminated from the Eastern Conference playoff race on Sunday. They are scheduled to close out the season in Charlotte on Wednesday. Cheeks said the pair might not make the trip.

"If they're not playing tonight, they're probably not playing tomorrow," Cheeks said.

Cheeks never said Iverson or Webber was not going to play for the 20 minutes he talked to reporters before he was told they had not arrived at the Wachovia Center. He looked dejected when he returned and slumped in his seat, looking much like he did 11 days ago when he remained at the postgame press conference podium, ice bottle on his head, with the lights turned out.

When asked if he was disappointed in the duo, Cheeks said, "I'm done man."

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2413093Allen Iverson gets what he deserves,the bad rap with all tattoos and do rag.He is to the 76ers what TO was to the Eagles,not a good teammate,or a favorite by any coach ever, he might end up on the Knicks with the rest of the score first pass whenever guards.....make the better AI a star and build around him...Andre Iguadola

[Marklar MM]

Iverson and Garnett to the Lakers...David Stern's happy thought.

[1Parker1]

I'm telling you, I really thought Iverson had matured and grown up. I'm surprised that Webber also followed along. I still think a lot of the blame falls on Mo Cheeks. He's not a very enforceful coach and he doesn't have much in the way of strategizing. He didn't do crap this season trying to define the Sixers. He basically kept the same offense (Ai needing to score 30+ for us to win) we've had for the past 3 years which clearly by the first round exits, have not been working. All those 4th quarter collapeses in the begining of the season, where the Sixers would have a 10-10 point leda going into the 4th, only to lose in the closing minutes....a lot that falls on the coaching.

Billy King sucks, it's time to move on for AI I guess :(

[nkdlunch]

they both suck and deserve to be fishing right now

[MoSpur]

Freaking millionares can't show up to the game on time. Pathetic. These two are two of the highest paid in the league and they show disrespect like that? I would trade AI to Atlanta and C-Webb to Charlotte in the off-season as punishment. I know it sounds like a joke, but I would try to rebuild around Andre. I'd trade Iverson and C-Webb for a big and a point guard.

[Mixability]

Allen Iverson gets what he deserves,the bad rap with all tattoos and do rag

:rolleyes

[ShoogarBear]

My biggest fear is that KG ends up on a Miami or Cleveland, New Jersey or Washington.

Unless McHale is a complete stupizoid, the Wiz have nobody he wants.

I'd love to see them snooker Minny on a KG for Arenas +Haywood deal.

[Darrin]

Unless McHale is a complete stupizoid, the Wiz have nobody he wants.

I'd love to see them snooker Minny on a KG for Arenas +Haywood deal.

It's more likely they would build a package around Antawn Jamison.

[Darrin]

I still want AI to be a Sixer though, this team needs him, and people who call him selfish, that's BS.

My only problem with Iverson is his style of play. Andre Iguodala last night had 27 points, and it's not the first time he's put up big numbers. The guy is as talented as advertised, not just a high flier.

Iverson doesn't punish the opposing team for triple-teaming him. Jordan eventually learned to. When Duncan is tripled in the post, what does he do? He passes out to Manu or Tony or (bad memory of the Finals flashback) Bruce Bowen.

Iverson doesn't do that on a consistent basis. When I call him selfish, it's not as a human being. It's all about his game. Just the opinion from one of his critics.




But fuck everyone else, re-build this team.

Allen Iverson is 31-years-old. When the word "rebuild" is said, you can pretty much pencil in, on average, 3 years before the team in contending. That means the guy who won't let anyone else be first option besides him because he goes hard every night is going to 34 when the Sixers start winning for real again. In the meantime, he will be draining half of the salary cap of the team, hindering the process even further.

They tried rebuilding around Iverson and it didn't work. If I were a Sixers fan, I'd see the writing on the wall, and want to win more than see him as a Sixer. He'll be like Dominique and the Hawks or Drexler and the Blazers, Jordan and the Bulls or Hakeem and the Rockets -- we will always remember them in those times in those cities. I'm sure Iverson, if he wants to stay in basketball, wouldn't mind returning there after he's retired or sign with them after his contract is up. But right now the best thing he can do for the franchise to allow them to re-build to a contender is to simply leave town.

My pet trade includes him with the LA Clippers, who had serious interest in him in 2000.

[ShoogarBear]

It's more likely they would build a package around Antawn Jamison.

Yeah, but I want to get rid of Arenas.

The problem is the Wiz probably want to keep him. Because of his status, you could probably get a lot for him and improve you team tremendously by both addition and subtraction. The guy is like Starbury, good stats, but only out for himself and will never win you anything.

[nkdlunch]

bullshit. Don't dare compare Arenas with Starbury. Arenas actually was the reason the Wiz reached the 2nd round and the reason they are keeping 5th seed.

I would not do a deal involving him and garnett in a million years. With Garnett, the Wiz would be same or worse than Minesota.

[ALVAREZ6]

1Parer1, you're right. Mo Cheeks sucks as a coach, he isn't demanding at all.



Allen Iverson gets what he deserves,the bad rap with all tattoos and do rag.He is to the 76ers what TO was to the Eagles,not a good teammate,or a favorite by any coach ever, he might end up on the Knicks with the rest of the score first pass whenever guards.....make the better AI a star and build around him...Andre Iguadola
You have no idea what you're talking about. He is to the Sixers what TO was to the Eagles??? Bullshit. Everyone loves AI here and I bet they still do after this even though a lot will be pissed because of what happened yesterday.

I still want AI on the Sixers, and he averages what? 7 assits??? That's more than TP and he has a far worse team.

Webber is the guy who has to go.

Webber + Korver + Hunter + picks + money + whatever for KG.

[ALVAREZ6]

My only problem with Iverson is his style of play. Andre Iguodala last night had 27 points, and it's not the first time he's put up big numbers. The guy is as talented as advertised, not just a high flier.

Iverson doesn't punish the opposing team for triple-teaming him. Jordan eventually learned to. When Duncan is tripled in the post, what does he do? He passes out to Manu or Tony or (bad memory of the Finals flashback) Bruce Bowen.

Iverson doesn't do that on a consistent basis. When I call him selfish, it's not as a human being. It's all about his game. Just the opinion from one of his critics.

I agree with all of that.


But as long as the offense is scoring, whatever, it doesn't matter. AI will still manage to pass the ball, even though he looks to score.

The defense needs to improve. The Sixers simply don't play defense, Mo Cheeks is a terrible coach, and Webber is a useless piece.

[Darrin]

bullshit. Don't dare compare Arenas with Starbury. Arenas actually was the reason the Wiz reached the 2nd round and the reason they are keeping 5th seed.

Let's not forget that no matter what conference Marbury has been in, he has failed to make the second round.

People seem to forget that Washington lost Larry Hughes from last season's team. That's why he upped his scoring average by over 4 points from last season. It was a co-backcourt of two "guards," no shooting or point guard labels needed. That's what made them so fun to watch. Jared Jeffries and whoever starts at center are barely an offensive option.

Unlike Iverson, he's had two players over 16 ppg in the same year he's been top-five in scoring.

[ShoogarBear]

The reason the Wiz reached the second round was they played a Bulls team without their center. And that took seven games.

They were them humliated by a Miami team that played without Shaq for the last two games.

Gilbert Arenas is complete Fool's Gold. He's got a Kobe/AI attitude but nowhere near the talent. As long as he's getting his 20-25 shots a game and nobody else on the team is scoring more, he's happy. If he's not, then he'll pout. He'll never come close to sniffing a championship.

[Darrin]

The reason the Wiz reached the second round was they played a Bulls team without their center. And that took seven games.

They were them humliated by a Miami team that played without Shaq for the last two games.

Gilbert Arenas is complete Fool's Gold. He's got a Kobe/AI attitude but nowhere near the talent. As long as he's getting his 20-25 shots a game and nobody else on the team is scoring more, he's happy. If he's not, then he'll pout. He'll never come close to sniffing a championship.

No one else scores? Caron Butler is averaging a career-high 17.0 points and Antawn is getting 20.4 a game.

Udonis Haslem (10.5 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.5 spg in 37.5 mpg) and Alonzo Mourning (6.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.25 bpg in 19.3 mpg) were huge in that Miami series. Games 2 (with Shaq in Miami) and 4 (without Shaq in Washington) were very, very close. Did you really expect the Wizards to play the Pistons in the Conference Finals?

As for the Bulls, yes, they were beat up. But the Wizards finished them off in SIX GAMES after falling into a 2-0 hole. It was quite an accomplishment for a guy - himself and his teammates - that hadn't been to the postseason ever.

[ShoogarBear]

I never said no one else scores. All the Wiz do is score, because they don't play defense a lick. They're the closest thing to Phoenix in the East. That's they're system. And even on a bad defensive team, Arenas is the worst of the regulars.

What I said is that Arenas wants it clear that all the shots are his, except for when he deigns to pass. And when he gets called on shooting too much, he will completely stop shooting for a game out of petulance. He's done it twice with the Wizards and at least once with GS.

I repeat, the guy has talent, but his only goal in life is to accumlate stats to compensate for being a second round pick. He will never come close to sniffing any kind of championship with his present attitude and game. You're welcome to him any time you want.

[Obstructed_View]

The greatest thing for the Sixers to do would be to bring AI in and say "We were going to try to trade you to a contender, but since you pulled your stunt, we can't get equivalent value. You are here for life."

[Darrin]

The greatest thing for the Sixers to do would be to bring AI in and say "We were going to try to trade you to a contender, but since you pulled your stunt, we can't get equivalent value. You are here for life."

That would be a bad business decision. Apathy is setting in with Philadelphia's fanbase. Their in-house attendance is way down; I'm sure ticket renewals will be their lowest since 1998 or 1999.

They keep things as is, and First Union or Wachovia or whatever you want to call the building will look like Philipps Arena.

[Obstructed_View]

That would be a bad business decision. Apathy is setting in with Philadelphia's fanbase. Their in-house attendance is way down; I'm sure ticket renewals will be their lowest since 1998 or 1999.

They keep things as is, and First Union or Wachovia or whatever you want to call the building will look like Philipps Arena.
The bad business decision is Iverson not showing up for the goddamn game. The Sixers are stuck with Webber, because nobody is going to take his contract. Iverson just fucked his own cause, and the team should tell him that.

[ALVAREZ6]

Iverson, Webber apologize for late arrival

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2414504


CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Allen Iverson and Chris Webber apologized Wednesday for their actions a night earlier, when they didn't arrive to the arena until just before tip-off and then didn't sit on the bench during Philadelphia's victory over New Jersey.

The players were on the bench in the first quarter for the 76ers' game at Charlotte, although Iverson returned to the locker room in the second quarter. Coach Maurice Cheeks blamed Tuesday's episode on a lack of communication.

"I definitely wasn't trying to disrespect Mo in any way, or the fans, as everybody is talking about," Iverson said. "I've been here for 10 years, and to deliberately try to disrespect the fans, I would never try to do that in any way. I'm upset it came across that way."

Team officials also said they should have informed the media and fans the two stars would not play on Fan Appreciation Night in Philadelphia.

Iverson, who has been battling an ankle injury, said he told the team trainer on Monday that he wouldn't play against the Nets. Webber, who has a sore back, said he knew moments after the 76ers were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday that he would sit out.

"It was hurting to play," Webber said. "So when our goal was terminated in making the playoffs, I knew then I wasn't going to play.

"I think this is just a big misunderstanding. We didn't try to shun the fans or whatever is being reported. When you're not necessarily loved by the media, the fans are all you have."

But reporters weren't told that before the game the players wouldn't play, and Cheeks seemed to indicate the players would play when he addressed the media before the game.

Iverson, Philadelphia's leading scorer at 33 points per game, and Webber, second with 20.2 points a contest, said they talked with Cheeks about the incident.

"We had a conversation and they were very apologetic," Cheeks said. "They were sorry that this all has taken place, as I am."

Iverson said he hasn't spoken with team president Billy King, who was irate a day earlier. King, who arrived just before the game, would not comment at halftime.

"I've said enough," he said.

Players are required to arrive 90 minutes before the game when they are playing, although some players who are injured will arrive closer to tipoff.

"I honestly thought as long as I got there before the ball went up, everything would be cool," Iverson said. "I've been doing it that way my whole career and it never was a problem, even when coach (Larry) Brown was here."

Cheeks, who was upset at the players' tardy arrival Tuesday, was more diplomatic before Wednesday's game.

"This was a delicate situation," Cheeks said. "My communication with Chris and Allen should have been better. I take responsibility, I'm the coach."

As for sitting on the bench, some injured players do, but Iverson said he doesn't like to.

"I don't like to sit on the bench and be heckled by one or two fans, I just don't like to do it," said Iverson, who watched the Tuesday's game with Webber from the locker room. "I've had that experience and didn't like it. I'm human just everybody else."

Both players arrived within 90 minutes of game time Wednesday in Charlotte, and spoke to reporters separately.

"If we would had known it was going to develop into something like this, of course we wouldn't have done it," Webber said. "I regret it and truly apologize to the fans."

Iverson said it's another harmless incident that has been blown out of proportion in his Philadelphia career.

"Everything that I do, everything that I say is magnified," Iverson said in front of more than a dozen reporters outside the Sixers' locker room. "I didn't think it was going to get out of hand like this."

[Darrin]

The bad business decision is Iverson not showing up for the goddamn game. The Sixers are stuck with Webber, because nobody is going to take his contract. Iverson just fucked his own cause, and the team should tell him that.

I don't think Webber is untradeable. New York would take him in a heartbeat for the cap space of Jalen Rose or the exciting Steve Francis and Eddy Curry. Of couse, Jermaine O'Neal and Kevin Garnett would have the be unavailable, but I could see them doing that. New York was Webber's second choice in 2000-01, and Thomas has a relationship with Chris Webber that dates back to high school. He used to work out with the Pistons at Oakland University.

His numbers (20.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.37 spg) are still good enough that a team desperate for a big man would take a chance.

Vin Baker proved to me that no one is untradable.

[Obstructed_View]

Vin Baker proved to me that no one is untradable.

Touche. :lol

[Bloodline666]

I still think a lot of the blame falls on Mo Cheeks. He's not a very enforceful coach and he doesn't have much in the way of strategizing.
Look what he did for the Jail Blazers. Although I don't condone what Darius Miles calld Mo Cheeks, Miles was right about him; not an enforceful coach.

As for Allen Iverson, he needs to be moved back to 2-guard, where he belongs. A point guard's supposed to pass first, shoot second (or only when open, or when the ball's in his hands when the shot clock or game clock is winding down), not the other way around. Stephon Marbury's a similar type of point guard. The only point guards in the league I am aware of who are truly pass-first guards are Steve Nash, and maybe guards like Tony Parker, Chris Paul, or Chauncey Billups. I'm not saying point guards should do absolutely no shooting and be completely about assists. I'm saying that point guards shouldn't be ballhogs, and should focus on assists just as much as they should on scoring. I guess certain point guards (AI, Stephon Marbury, etc.) have the idea that the term "point guard" means they're supposed to do all the scoring, because they think the word "point" in that phrase means putting points on the board.