Remembering The Good Times - Written 12/12/06

As everyone’s probably heard, we’ve seen the last of Allen Iverson in a Sixers’ jersey. The disgruntled star demanded a trade after a terrible loss to the Bulls on December 6th, claiming that it’s time for him and the franchise to go their separate ways. The team soon after deactivated him, giving him the Sixers version of “the TO treatment.” The trade demand not only contributed to a devastating losing streak for the Sixers, but also an outpouring of criticism for the man who was once the hero of the city. Radio hosts have bashed his “selfish” style of play, arguing that he never made the guys around him better. Even Charles Barkley, the former Sixer and once avid Iverson supporter, said that AI needs “to learn how to share the ball.” But before all of you usher him to the door, try and find how many non-Iverson Sixers jerseys you have, and remember a few things…..

Remember the excitement he brought back to a team that had failed to win 20 games the previous year…

Remember the way he crossed up MJ his rookie year…

Remember that he’s a 7-time All-Star, 2-time All-Star Game MVP, ‘97 Rookie of the Year, ‘01 MVP…

Remember that the 36-year old Dikembe Mutombo, with two bad knees and a worn out body, was Allen’s second option on the team he took to the finals.

Remember that along with Mutombo, Allen’s starting 5 included George Lynch, Eric Snow, and Tyrone Hill (the three combined for a 23.3 career ppg).