The Nuggets have the Answer

Well it finally happened, Allen Iverson got traded. After 10 seasons shedding blood, sweat and tears in Philly, A.I. is off to the Mile High City. Not that I am a fan of the Nuggets and their pasty blue uni’s but I hope Iverson does well. I have always been a fan and respected how hard he works for everything he gets. Can Melo mesh with Iverson? I guess we will see once Anthony comes back from his suspension. One thing is for sure, an already weak East just got watered down a little more.

Notable moments of Allen Iverson’s career

June 1996 - Allen Iverson is drafted with the first overall pick of the NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.

May 1997 - Iverson is rookie of the year after averaging 23.5 points, including a 50-point game against Cleveland.

January 1999 - Iverson signs a six-year, $70 million contract extension with the 76ers.

May 1999 - Iverson wins his first scoring title, averaging 26.8 points.

April 2001 - A year after being nearly traded, Iverson wins his second scoring title and is named league MVP after averaging 31.1 points. He leads the Sixers to the NBA finals, where they lose to the Los Angeles Lakers.

November 2001 - Already in the middle of a 10-year, $50-million endorsement deal, Iverson signs a lifetime contract extension with Reebok.

April 2002 - Iverson wins his third scoring title, averaging 31.4 points per game.

May 2002 - After the Boston Celtics eliminate Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs, Iverson holds a news conference in which he lashes out at critics complaining about his practice habits. “I’m supposed to be the franchise player and we’re in here talking about practice,” he says, becoming more incredulous as the interview goes on. “Not a game, we’re talking about practice. How silly is that?”

May 2003 - Sixers coach Larry Brown, who frequently clashed with his mercurial star, resigns from the club to coach the Detroit Pistons. Brown is replaced by Randy Ayers, who is fired midway through the next season.

September 2003 - Iverson agrees to a $76 million contract that would keep him in Philadelphia through 2009. “I always wanted to be a Sixer,” Iverson said at a news conference. “I always wanted to finish my career as a Sixer.”

March 2004 - Told he would not start against the Detroit Pistons after recovering from a knee injury, Iverson refuses to come off the bench and instead sits out the game.

April 2004 - Under Ayers and interim coach Chris Ford, the Sixers miss the playoffs for the first time since the 1997-98 season. Jim O’Brien becomes the team’s third head coach since Brown’s departure less than a year earlier.

December 2004 - Iverson scores 54 and 51 points on consecutive nights against Milwaukee and Utah.

February 2005 - Iverson scores a career-high 60 points in a 112-99 win over the Orlando Magic. “This is the greatest performance I’ve ever witnessed,” O’Brien says.

February 2005 - Iverson denies a report that he wants to be traded. “I want to be right here,” he says. “If I could have a wish, I would wish it’s the last time I have to say that. I would wish people would know this is where I want to be.”

April 2005 - Iverson averages 30.7 points and 7.9 assists and captures his fourth scoring title. He caps arguably his finest season by being late to “Fan Appreciation Night” at the team’s final home game. Iverson and teammate Chris Webber, who were both late to the game because of injuries, later apologize.

May 2005 - O’Brien, who became unpopular with his players, is fired just one season into a three-year contract. He is replaced by former 76ers guard Maurice Cheeks. “I wanted Maurice Cheeks to be the coach and now it’s finally here,” Iverson would say later. “I feel like in the 10 years that I’ve been playing, the atmosphere should have always been like it is.”

July 2006 - After being the subject of trade rumors leading up to the draft, Iverson says he wants to remain a 76er but would accept a trade if he’s not wanted in Philadelphia. “I want to be a Sixer, I have said that since Day One,” he says. “But if I am not wanted, then I definitely don’t want to be a Sixer and I am willing to start my career all over.”

October 2006 - Iverson admits he and other players abused Cheeks’ easygoing personality the previous season en route to a 38-44 record, but the guard vows not to let it happen again.

Nov. 29, 2006 - Iverson skips a bowling night with season ticket holders and other VIPs, drawing a fine from the team. Iverson later blames his absence on medication he was taking after having two abscessed teeth pulled.

Dec. 6, 2006 - Iverson heads to the locker room for the fourth quarter of a 121-94 loss to the Chicago Bulls. The reason given for his leaving the game is back spasms.

Dec. 8, 2006 - Iverson is told by the team not to attend that night’s game against Washington. Iverson releases a statement that reads in part, “As hard as it is to admit, a change may be the best thing for everyone.” Ed Snider, the chairman of Comcast-Spectacor, the team’s owners, says Iverson will be traded and has likely played his last game as a Sixer.

Dec. 11, 2006 - The 76ers play a game with Iverson’s locker cleaned out and his nameplate removed, though he remains officially on the team.

Dec. 14, 2006 - Iverson is the leader among East guards in the first set of returns for All-Star voting with 595,200 votes.

Finally what would a post about Allen Iverson be without some ankle breaking. These cross overs are sick.

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