Are you surprised with AI?

JellosJigglin · Post #21 » by **JellosJigglin** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:19 am

He has lost a step, but he's playing smarter. He gets more fouls from flopping out on the perimeter now, as opposed to getting beat up inside the paint. I think that has helped his longevity. Don't get me wrong, he's still a tough player. He's not a euro flopper who will fall even if there isn't ANY contact, but he really emphasizes the slightest bumps. Players learn to do that sort of thing as they get older.

AbdicatedReign · Post #22 » by **AbdicatedReign** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:05 am

Iverson has been my favorite player in the league for a long time. He remains the only player whose jersey I've ever bought and wore proudly because, to me, he epitomizes what it means to play basketball. That dude is all heart, a modern day warrior, and when he plays, he reminds everyone who watches him with clear eyes how the game can be turned into an art form.

Post #23 » by **tsherkin** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:15 am

big123 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

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.

Well, he's not playing better, that's the point; the rule changes and his new situation are allowing him to play a level he was incapable of sustaining before. And no, he's never been top 3 even one year in his career.

96-97, 97-98, you're talking about Jordan, Shaq, Malone, even Glen Rice (at least in 97), Grant Hill, Gary Payton, Kevin Johnson, Stockton, Ewing, Mourning and Olajuwon were all better than AI. David Robinson was better in 97-98, too, before he started to decline next to Duncan.

Then in the lockout year, you're still talking about most of those same guys were still better than AI. Starting in 97-98, you're also talking about Duncan, who's always been better than AI. You need to start talking about Jason Kidd. Starting in the 00s, you're talking about Garnett, you've got to be thinking about Webber...

AI has occasionally been a top-10 player but has NEVER been a top-3 guy in his entire career.

And these days, he's a #2 player, so he can't possibly even be top 10.

chrice · Post #24 » by **chrice** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:21 am

Not surprised at all. He's proven his whole career that he has a ton of endurance, and can continue playing after taking a lot of punishment. Even if he has lost a step, he would still be one of the quickest guys in the NBA regardless.

sixers_610 · Post #25 » by **sixers_610** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:21 am

not surprised. AI is a freak of nature

big123 · Post #26 » by **big123** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:42 am

tsherkin wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Well, he's not playing better, that's the point; the rule changes and his new situation are allowing him to play a level he was incapable of sustaining before. And no, he's never been top 3 even one year in his career.

96-97, 97-98, you're talking about Jordan, Shaq, Malone, even Glen Rice (at least in 97), Grant Hill, Gary Payton, Kevin Johnson, Stockton, Ewing, Mourning and Olajuwon were all better than AI. David Robinson was better in 97-98, too, before he started to decline next to Duncan.

Then in the lockout year, you're still talking about most of those same guys were still better than AI. Starting in 97-98, you're also talking about Duncan, who's always been better than AI. You need to start talking about Jason Kidd. Starting in the 00s, you're talking about Garnett, you've got to be thinking about Webber...

AI has occasionally been a top-10 player but has NEVER been a top-3 guy in his entire career.

And these days, he's a #2 player, so he can't possibly even be top 10.

What are you rambling about? I meant top 3 in FT attempts before the rule change and after, so the rule change doesn't make him top 3-4 in the league because he already was.

And why are you comparing players with Iverson when he was a rookie and also comparing him to dominate big men? That makes no sense at all. You better believe that AI was a top 3 shooting guard from 00' until 05 and you could even make the urgument that he still is now at 32.

Stop your hating...

Sub-Zero · Post #27 » by **Sub-Zero** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:53 am

Many people thought he would be burned out by now including yours truly but he approved otherwise.

But its amazing how hes unable to not succeed all that much, aside from the finals appearance, the MVP, and the countless # of allstar call-ups he hasn't really done much in his career

big123 · Post #28 » by **big123** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:31 am

Sub-Zero wrote:Many people thought he would be burned out by now including yours truly but he approved otherwise.

But its amazing how hes unable to not succeed all that much, aside from the finals appearance, the MVP, and the countless # of allstar call-ups he hasn't really done much in his career

With this decade dominated by Big Men (Shaq and Duncan) with the exception of your all-star team Pistons (I think all 5 starters made the all-star game that year lol) it has been almost impossible without a big dominate threat. Not just AI, but every guard in the league that hasn't played with Shaq or Duncan or the Pistons.

CB4MiamiHeat · Post #29 » by **CB4MiamiHeat** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:45 am

AI is playing great...

people are gonna take shots at him for possibly missing the playoffs, but its not his fault.
My favorite player growing up.