Allen Iverson Live

Some encouraging comments from Stephon Marbury on Allen Iverson’s possible stint in China:

Courtesy of SLAMOnline:

Allen Iverson is in China for a two-week promotional basketball tour — something billed as the NBA Legends Tour (alongside Iverson will be Dennis Rodman, Clyde Drexler, Shawn Kemp and Stephon Marbury) — but Marbury thinks his former NBA rival would do very well if he stuck around for a while. (After all, Starbury would know.)

FromNiubball: “Shorty after getting on the ground from the U.S. yesterday morning, he fielded questions from Chinese reporters and when when asked if he’d consider playing in the CBA next season, he replied: ‘Why not?’ Iverson has been out of professional basketball since January 2011, when he left Turkish outfit Besiktas after he injured his right calf muscle. This is not the first time Iverson has been linked with a move to the CBA: He flirted with the idea of playing in China in the summer/fall of 2010 and had several serious offers, including a reported $4 million contract from Foshan. Iverson ended up declining Foshan and all other teams, and signed a two-year deal with Bestikas shortly after in October. At this point, there is no indication as to which teams Iverson would be open towards joining. [...] But maybe more importantly, Iverson has a valuable ally in his Chinese corner this time, Stephon Marbury. Fresh off of leading the Beijing Shougang Ducks to their first ever CBA championship, Marbury has grown into a bonefied superstar in China and has been called a hero of Beijing by the city’s millions of inhabitants. Due to a CBA rule that limits both the regular season and Finals MVP award to Chinese players, popular Chinese basketball website, hoopCHINA, has lead a campaign to build Marbury a bronze statue that will commemorate his season in Beijing, a project that has garnered the support of more than 1 million people in China. [...] Marbury, who will play against Iverson for the Legends Tour’s first thee games, returned to Beijing yesterday after a short trip to the United States and was immediately supportive of Iverson joining up with a Chinese team next season. ‘I think [Iverson] will be rejuvenated if he played in China,’ Marbury said on his Sina Weibo account (Chinese Twitter). ‘He would love the fans here if he played basketball here. I hope he can feel the love when he plays here in the coming games.’”

Do you think Allen Iverson should follow Stephon Marbury’s footsteps and play in China?

Signed, sealed and soon to be delivered, future NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson has officially inked a $4 million, two-year contract with Turkish club Besiktas.

At a press conference for the signing on Friday, The Answer met with team owners and unveiled his team jersey.

He also spoke about his decision saying,

“A lot of people probably feel like I’m losing sleep because I’m not playing in the NBA, but I’m playing basketball and that’s the most important thing.”

Iverson continued,

“I had a great time playing in the NBA. Who knows if I ever will again? But I wanted to show everybody I can play at a high level, not just the NBA.”

Links: Allen Iverson and the top 6 basketball players outside the NBA

I thought I’d take a break from all the trade/new team talks and give you guys something different.  In the modern day league with some of the most physically tough athletes in professional sports, guess who made it to the number one spot as the toughest guy in the NBA.  That’s right, Allen Iverson, standing at barely 6’0 but playing with a heart of a mountain, is the toughest guy in the NBA according to this article.

Toughness isn’t about how many people you can punch in 5 minutes. It’s also about the desire to keep going in the face of adversity. In this aspect, Iverson is arguably the toughest guy in the NBA today. He’s the 2nd coming of Tiny Archibald. A.I. always plays bigger than his alleged 6′0″ frame. He has a heart of a lion and he never takes a game off. Off the court, his tough guy status is undeniable. He’s been arrested for everything from DUI to firearms possession. A.I. moonlighted as a rapper, but the league frowned on his album because it was too “hardcore.” Pound for pound, A.I. is the toughest guy in the NBA.

This is getting ridiculous.  The Greek fans have spoken.  The poll figure show the Olympiacos option jumping to over 1,400 votes in the last two days for a leading 36%.   Not to mention the massive amount of comments that have came in from all over the world.

Here’s the situation: The best financial deal on the table for the former MVP is from Olympiacos (said to be worth $10 million for seasons).  Iverson is said to be considering the deal, BUT league sources said it’s far more likely Iverson picks Miami or Memphis before updating his passport.

Several teams have talked with Iverson and sources close to his situation say it’s not about lack of interest, its finding the right situation. The Greek offer appeals to a wide range of areas for Iverson the business man; his star power would clearly change the perception of Olympiacos on the International stage and his marketing partners – namely Reebok – would love the exposure.

It is not a stretch to think Iverson gives Olympiacos more than reasonable consideration, but sources say his heart is still in the NBA and finding the right NBA team is the goal.

Check out this poll by SportsNation.  SportsNation thinks he’d be as good an ambassador for basketball as David Beckham has been for soccer in the United States).

Last time I checked, Allen Iverson was beating out David Beckham 51% to 48%!