Sixer fans, does AI's latest comments bother you?

[Randy]

Hey, it's not like AI is the only person who missed practice after the All-Star weekend -- Shaq, Artest, AI, and several others missed practice but their reactions?  Shaq actually apologized for "screwing up" and expects a fine for it -- Artest was benched from his starting position (and we KNOW he hated that) but AI gets benched and he goes balastic.  He still doesn't comprehend how important practice is to a teams ability to compete (okay, he's not alone in that department either).  I was amazed at the comments out of his mouth.

Here are a couple of questions:

1.  What is your take on it?

2.  Ford's position was already tenous at best as head coach but do you believe that anyone wants to coach AI after his problems with Brown and now Ford?  His position seems to be "leave me alone and let me play the games."  

3.  So who is worth more, Ford or AI?  There's not much doubt there, is there?  However, if this makes AI want out of Philly, do you think that Philly gets equal worth based on the fact that AI is demanding to be traded and other GM's know that (and his turbulent past)?

Thoughts?

[jn]

What exactly did he say? Direct, real qutoes, not like the ones you gave from the parent's regarding Kerry.    

[Randy]

Allen Iverson didn't take his removal from Philadelphia's starting lineup lightly, and he let everyone know how he felt about 76ers interim coach Chris Ford.

"I was angry all day from the shootaround on," Iverson said. "Going in there and having a meeting and being with some guy that I don't really know, telling me that I wasn't going to start and what I have to do for us to be successful ...

"I was just upset about being here eight years and somebody being here for one game and benching me."

The star guard expressed his displeasure with Ford after Philadelphia lost to the Denver Nuggets 106-85 Tuesday night behind 28 points from Carmelo Anthony.

Iverson, who missed Monday's practice and was held out of the starting lineup by Ford, led the 76ers with 27 points and a season-high 14 assists. He entered the game with 4:39 left in the first quarter and played 36 minutes overall.

"The relationship between us goes out the window," said Iverson, the NBA's leading scorer. "I told him why I couldn't make it, and it wasn't enough."

Iverson said his plane was delayed after he played in the All-Star game in Los Angeles.

"The most frustrating thing was hearing him say he felt like I didn't have respect for my teammates and that they don't have respect for me, and that they feel like I don't bring it every day," Iverson said. "A coach has never, ever questioned whether I brung it every day.

"I sat there and cheered the guys on, and when I got my opportunity I came in and played the way I always play, and that is hard.

"I don't have to be his friend, I don't have to speak to him. I can play for him, though. I can play hard for him and I can do exactly what he wants me to do, night in and night out. I definitely will do that. But as far as having a relationship with him outside of basketball, that's done from Day One."

Ford, named head coach on Feb. 10, coached his second game with the Sixers on Tuesday.

Ford didn't respond to Iverson's remarks, saying before the game he was benching Iverson for an unexcused absence from practice.

These quotes, like the others, are easy to find -- of course, you may choose to reject them as well, it's up to you.

[jn]

I have to agree with AI.  I don't recall a coach in Philly following a game saying he didn't "brung" it.  

 

[jn]

Oh, and the "sleazeball" comments come from Rupert Murdochs Brit Tabloid The Sun. **snicker** I'm surprised they managed to find the space to mention this one in the middle of the stories accusing the Queen of killing Di, Charles of being gay and Tony Blair of being pussywhipped. :rolleyes:  

[spursfan101]

Did you notice him wearing his throwback "Spurs" gear....Hmmm.....he looks good in the silver and black..... :rolleyes: