Are you surprised with AI?

[magicfan4life05]

that hes been able to still be a great player even at 32? I definitely did not expect this production especially after all the beatings his body has taken over the years, so i'm surprised, i thought his quickness would not be the same so he wouldnt be the same player. But I've been proven wrong.

I remember last year after the spurs beat the nuggets, bucher was saying how there were rumors AI had "lost a step" and wasnt the same. Some still say he has, can anyone back this up?

So are you surprised with his continued success and when do you think he'll start to slow down?

[iamworthy]

that hes been able to still be a great player even at 32? I definitely did not expect this production especially after all the beatings his body has taken over the years, so i'm surprised, i thought his quickness would not be the same so he wouldnt be the same player. But I've been proven wrong.

I remember last year after the spurs beat the nuggets, bucher was saying how there were rumors AI had "lost a step" and wasnt the same. Some still say he has, can anyone back this up?

So are you surprised with his continued success and when do you think he'll start to slow down?

Im not surprised. Jason Kidd is still doing his thing. AI can keep this up for a few more years. Steve Nash would also be ok if he didnt have a bad back.

[Philly Fresh]

Iverson is a warrior, he's been giving 110% every game since the day he was drafted. He takes it anyone defending him, anyone in the lane and anyone guarding the paint. He's the definition of fearless, and I can't say I expected him to play like this, at the age of 32, but I didn't expect him to slow down very much.

[miller31time]

I'm extremely surprised. He's (IMO) playing the best basketball of his NBA career this season. His efficiency is sky-high, his assists are high, his turnovers are way down.

It's not even the fact he's doing this at 32 that surprises me - the man's an athletic specimen. It's the fact that he's able to change the way he plays the game of basketball so drastically that surprises me.

[WadeKnicks2010]

Its amazing how dominant he's been and for how long. Guys like Tmac, Wade, Carter, Penny, Francis, Marbury, Hill, etc, they're the next jordans, the next this and that, they're good for a few years and disappear. Iverson's ALWAYS been a top ten player in the league, seemingly since he's been here. In terms of body of work, I don't think there's been a better player this decade than AI, other than Shaq, Duncan, and possibly Kobe. The scariest part is he seems to be getting better rather than worse.

[Phobo_Phile]

I don't know if AI is getting better persay, as much as he is just getting smarter. His basketball IQ has improved drastically over that last decade. I don't see him winning a championship in his career though which is unfourtanate because he should go down as one of the greats. Esipicially for as small as he is. Is he still in top 5 scoring averages of all time? He was for awhile

[TMACFORMVP]

He's had a great season, like Miller said I'm more surprised in how he's changed his game. He's shooting a high percentage, racking up in assists, not as turnover prone and still the dangerous scorer and ball thief he's been his whole career.

[jazzfan1971]

I expect him to drop off quickly at about 35yo.

[big123]

I'm surprised given his stature and beating he's taken for so long, but his heart, passion and athletic freakishness won't allow it. He is the ultimate "Please critize me so I can prove you wrong" player.

Iverson is one of the most unique players in NBA history. There has been very few, if at all, players like him and no one currently. Pound for pound the most explosive scorer in NBA history.

It's just sad he's never played with a dominate big man, because it seems that's what it takes to win a championship this decade. Shaq and Duncan come to mind winning the last 8 out of 9 Chips with the exception of The Pistons who had an all-star squad.

[Idunkon1stdates]

I'm surprised given his stature and beating he's taken for so long, but his heart, passion and athletic freakishness won't allow it. He is the ultimate "Please critize me so I can prove you wrong" player.

Iverson is one of the most unique players in NBA history. There has been very few, if at all, players like him and no one currently. Pound for pound the most explosive scorer in NBA history.

It's just sad he's never played with a dominate big man, because it seems that's what it takes to win a championship this decade. Shaq and Duncan come to mind winning the last 8 out of 9 Chips with the exception of The Pistons who had an all-star squad.

He had Mutombo

[Philly Fresh]

I don't know if AI is getting better persay, as much as he is just getting smarter. His basketball IQ has improved drastically over that last decade. I don't see him winning a championship in his career though which is unfourtanate because he should go down as one of the greats. Esipicially for as small as he is. Is he still in top 5 scoring averages of all time? He was for awhile

Yea, he's #3.

[NO-KG-AI]

I don't even think Iverson is getting better or smarter, I think he just has a team that he can trust, and he's playing well within the concept of the team, because he doesn't have to drag them.

He's playing great ball, and it doesn't even look like he's slowing down despite his slight frame, and the physical abuse he takes.

[Wade3Iverson]

Wierd that Iverson is playing arguably his best ball and Camby is playing like DPOY yet the Nugz still can't live up to expectations.

I got to say I'm a bit surprised with his play too. I (along with the majority) expected his production to go down as his athleticism did. Props to AI.

[big123]

Wierd that Iverson is playing arguably his best ball and Camby is playing like DPOY yet the Nugz still can't live up to expectations.

I got to say I'm a bit surprised with his play too. I (along with the majority) expected his production to go down as his athleticism did. Props to AI.

The Nuggets problems far outweigh AI playing good. Camby has probably been the most inconsistent player on the team beside Carter.

[tsherkin]

I don't even think Iverson is getting better or smarter, I think he just has a team that he can trust, and he's playing well within the concept of the team, because he doesn't have to drag them.

He's playing great ball, and it doesn't even look like he's slowing down despite his slight frame, and the physical abuse he takes.

There are two major factors influencing AI's play:

1) The Nuggets; he's in a second-option role alongside 'Melo and he's got help all around him, which makes things much, much easier on him. He's taking way fewer shots than he did in Phoenix and has finally gotten back to a level of touches at which he can play efficiently (and in a running offense that suits).

and

2) The perimeter defense rules were changed for 04-05 and on, making it easier for him to get calls. You'll note he's in the middle of averaging 10+ FTA/g for the third time in four years (from 04-05 onward) and had only done so once in the previous 8 despite taking more shots and what-not. He came close a few times but he's had it a lot easier since then and his last year in Philly was just ridiculous.

AI is still skilled, still quick, still extremely aggressive, but he's not really improved, he's just taking advantage of better circumstances.

[WadeKnicks2010]

"Is he still in top 5 scoring averages of all time? He was for awhile"

Third.

[big123]

-= original quote snipped =-



There are two major factors influencing AI's play:

1) The Nuggets; he's in a second-option role alongside 'Melo and he's got help all around him, which makes things much, much easier on him. He's taking way fewer shots than he did in Phoenix and has finally gotten back to a level of touches at which he can play efficiently (and in a running offense that suits).

and

2) The perimeter defense rules were changed for 04-05 and on, making it easier for him to get calls. You'll note he's in the middle of averaging 10+ FTA/g for the third time in four years (from 04-05 onward) and had only done so once in the previous 8 despite taking more shots and what-not. He came close a few times but he's had it a lot easier since then and his last year in Philly was just ridiculous.

AI is still skilled, still quick, still extremely aggressive, but he's not really improved, he's just taking advantage of better circumstances.

Yeah, the FT attempts is irelevent for him playing better. He's been top 3 in the league for most of his career, rule change or not.

[rutheredfox]

allen iverson will never win a championship, but he'll be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. it seems impossible to do what ai can do at his height and weight. and analysts are always clowning on ai every year before the season begins as the player who will decline the greatest that season yet he seems to prove them wrong every year. i think he's been on do not draft list on fantasy basketball for like the past 3 years, but his numbers are just getting better. you gotta love his game as a basketball fan and what he brings to each game. PRACTICE????????

[big123]

allen iverson will never win a championship, but he'll be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. it seems impossible to do what ai can do at his height and weight. and analysts are always clowning on ai every year before the season begins as the player who will decline the greatest that season yet he seems to prove them wrong every year. i think he's been on do not draft list on fantasy basketball for like the past 3 years, but his numbers are just getting better. you gotta love his game as a basketball fan and what he brings to each game. PRACTICE????????

Someone with thin glasses instead of thick. Refreshing.