Artificial Cheese

The 76ers are the best sports team that Philadelphia has right now, and in a few short weeks I believe that the NBA world will be calling them the surprise team of the year. How did this happen? Last season ended in failure and turmoil when the team failed to make the playoffs. To top that off, two stars of the team, Chris Webber and Allen Iverson, showed up late to fan appreciation night. They eventually apologized, but the damage was done. Trade rumors swirled, and general manager Billy King vowed to ‘change things’ over the offseason. It appeared that the Sixers were on the verge of being ripped open with the goal of removing the heart of the team, Allen Iverson.

The following offseason started with tons of speculation. Allen Iverson was supposed to be traded as soon as possible and for no reason but to remove him from the team. Local news networks were ready to report on anything and everything that appeared to be a done deal, but nothing surfaced. When draft day rolled around the question was no longer, ‘When will Iverson get traded’, but, ‘Where will he go?’. The hours passed slowly, and the commissioner stepped to the podium over and over, with anticipation rising every time he said, “We have a trade…”

But still, Allen Iverson’s name was never mentioned. As the weeks passed, the trade rumors slowly died down. The rumors were eventually put to rest when Billy King announced that Allen Iverson will be returning to the team.

Personally this was a great relief. With Jordan as the exception, Allen Iverson is the most skilled basketball player I have ever had the privilege to watch. He is certainly not the distraction that he was at the beginning of his career, and he has only improved his team game over the last three or four years. I don’t understand, and will never understand why ’shaking up’ a failing team is still considered a promising way to improve output. If anything, shaking up a team sets it back years in its development, which would be disasterous for such a young team.

Keeping Iverson was a great decision, but will probably never be acknowledged since decisions are publically disregarded when changes aren’t evident. He provides honesty, reality, attitude and leadership by example to the Sixers. He gives the 76ers organization a face that fans can recognize. But most importantly he provides a reason to watch the Sixers. His success this season will determine whether or not he will retire as a Sixer, and if they keep moving at their current pace he will certainly meet his goal.