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V2M · 12-14-2006, 02:42 PM

A perfectly acceptable Answer
By Jim O'Brien
ESPN.com

Answering a few questions about Allen Iverson, whom I coached for one year in 2004-05 with the Philadelphia 76ers . . .

What was his reaction when, in a team huddle, you called him the worst defensive point guard in the history of the game?

After that, he told me it was the first time he'd ever been called the worst in anything.

But he's not hypersensitive.

Not at all. The best part about Allen is that he had no problem being criticized in front of his teammates. You don't find that to be the case with superstars.

In fact, he encouraged you not to sit on any criticisms.

Yes. Another example was at halftime I got on him pretty hard about defense. Before we got back on court he said, "Listen, tell me to right then, don't wait till halftime."

I'm not saying we didn't have issues over 82 games, but generally the idea is to go behind closed doors and not to the media. He told me he wanted to be straightforward and when he thought I wasn't, he called me on it.

You coached Iverson when he was coming off a tough time with then-coach Chris Ford. You sat down with Iverson after a season in which his team had struggled. And you had traveled to Turkey to get to know him before the 2004 Olympics.

He said he didn't want me to manage him through the media -- that wasn't a problem because that's not how I coach. I told him that I wanted him to be a leader, that he would have to be a person who was going to be on time and be ready to lace 'em up.

And I told him I would never have him leave his legs on the practice floor. He had to stretch with the team and start practice with us, but leave it to me to take him out. I never had a problem with him about practicing.

His famous "practice" comments came in 2002. Can we talk about practice?

It's true he doesn't need practice to be a great player. But back then what he sometimes did not recognize is that for the team to play its best he needs to practice -- the group needs reps to gel defensively and offensively.

Makes sense. So, what's he like?

He's very, very likable to be around, fun to be around. His teammates really like him, although they're not always comfortable playing with him.

He's going to have new ones soon. Think he could be a "final piece" guy?

I think he's going to bring a tremendous amount to a team that is positioned to go deep in the playoffs.

And if they're not?

If he's on a team no better than the Sixers, then he's going to have to be the guy who dominates the ball and it will be a difficult situation.

The best fit for him?

A metro area like Boston fairly near the casinos. The best situation would be in the bigger markets. Minnesota is a smaller market, but it would be interesting to see him there.

12-14-2006, 02:42 PM	#94
V2M Diamond Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 3,299	A perfectly acceptable Answer By Jim O'Brien ESPN.com Answering a few questions about Allen Iverson, whom I coached for one year in 2004-05 with the Philadelphia 76ers . . . What was his reaction when, in a team huddle, you called him the worst defensive point guard in the history of the game? After that, he told me it was the first time he'd ever been called the worst in anything. But he's not hypersensitive. Not at all. The best part about Allen is that he had no problem being criticized in front of his teammates. You don't find that to be the case with superstars. In fact, he encouraged you not to sit on any criticisms. Yes. Another example was at halftime I got on him pretty hard about defense. Before we got back on court he said, "Listen, tell me to right then, don't wait till halftime." I'm not saying we didn't have issues over 82 games, but generally the idea is to go behind closed doors and not to the media. He told me he wanted to be straightforward and when he thought I wasn't, he called me on it. You coached Iverson when he was coming off a tough time with then-coach Chris Ford. You sat down with Iverson after a season in which his team had struggled. And you had traveled to Turkey to get to know him before the 2004 Olympics. He said he didn't want me to manage him through the media -- that wasn't a problem because that's not how I coach. I told him that I wanted him to be a leader, that he would have to be a person who was going to be on time and be ready to lace 'em up. And I told him I would never have him leave his legs on the practice floor. He had to stretch with the team and start practice with us, but leave it to me to take him out. I never had a problem with him about practicing. His famous "practice" comments came in 2002. Can we talk about practice? It's true he doesn't need practice to be a great player. But back then what he sometimes did not recognize is that for the team to play its best he needs to practice -- the group needs reps to gel defensively and offensively. Makes sense. So, what's he like? He's very, very likable to be around, fun to be around. His teammates really like him, although they're not always comfortable playing with him. He's going to have new ones soon. Think he could be a "final piece" guy? I think he's going to bring a tremendous amount to a team that is positioned to go deep in the playoffs. And if they're not? If he's on a team no better than the Sixers, then he's going to have to be the guy who dominates the ball and it will be a difficult situation. The best fit for him? A metro area like Boston fairly near the casinos. The best situation would be in the bigger markets. Minnesota is a smaller market, but it would be interesting to see him there.