Allen Iverson’s tumultuous year of being in and out of lineups for the Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers this season, while coming to face the reality that he is no longer a starter grade player in the NBA any longer, is apparently just the beginning of his problems.

In the midst of his daughter Messiah’s mysterious and ongoing illness, Iverson’s wife recently filed for a divorce, claiming that irreconcilable damage has been done. Topping things off, rumors are surfacing alleging that AI has a severe drinking problem with a gambling addiction to boot.

The bottom line is if AI has not yet hit rock bottom, he might wind up dead before he can sink any lower, and nobody wants that under any circumstance.

What the Answer needs to do is just that. Find some answers.

It’s time for him to take a step back within himself, and if he cannot find any, reach out and ask for help.

We have all marveled at his strength and might while admiring him for being such an explosive and powerful player. AI is famous for relentlessly challenging giants and conquering them, doing so with a style that has taken our breath away. But now he must humble himself, digging even deeper, and beat his inner demons. No small task when reflecting upon his self-sacrificing-never-backing-down style of play.

His demons are his own to face, and they are not to be taken lightly. A lesser man would have unquestionably crumbled apart years ago.

AI must seek to set a new example for his followers on the worldwide stage, letting people know alcohol and personal problems can happen to anyone.

AI has the world in his corner while facing his demons. (Credit: picapp.com)

It can be done. AI doesn’t need to go to Alcoholics Anonymous, nor does he need meetings to discuss gambling. Those angles will not work for AI. He is simply the kind of guy who is too tough and too proud for those support based systems to have any solid effect. He will have to do it on his own.

The legacy and culture he built on and off the court as a rebellious and outspoken icon dictates that he addresses his problems, and attacks his problems the same way he would go 1 on 3 on a fast break. Fearlessly and with the attitude that he is unstoppable once he decides it’s his will to be. No pull up jumpers, no ball fakes. He must take this thing straight on, and finish no matter what.

Iverson has surpassed and overcome more challenges on and off the court than we will ever know while on the path to becoming an NBA superstar. The more we know and the less he hides, the more our love for him will grow and the more we will pay homage to his character.

AI has the entire world in his corner. The first step to beating addiction is deciding that he wants to beat addiction. With the cat already out of the bag, and with everyone routing for him, we can only hope he gets back on track, cleans up his life, and after doing so, only then worries about playing a little game called basketball.

With a clear head and healthy body, god only knows what level of basketball AI could continue to play at. I am 100% positive it would be better than what we have witnessed over the past 3 seasons. The body and mind feel years younger without constant alcohol abuse. It’s a fact.

Now we know what caused his decline and the deterioration of his game for the last few years. As tough as he has been, AI has unfortunately become another classic example of how years of alcohol abuse will catch up to you, no matter who you are. Even star athletes cannot escape the wrath of abusive behavior. Just ask Shawn Kemp or Vin Baker. Let’s hope AI can comeback before we have to start making those comparisons.

He was too proud to admit to it as most people with problems are. We who don’t know him personally find all of this shocking news to hear. Shame on those of you chose to be a part of the AI entourage without ever considering his well being and for not trying to help him.

A tear- eyed Allen Iverson sat with 76ers GM Ed Stefanski and discussed rejoining the 76ers, a team he spent his first 10 years in the NBA with.

They address the long laundry list of problems surrounding AI, and what Iverson calls his “baggage” that prevented other teams from taking a chance on him.

An emotional AI was genuine about his future. (Credit: picapp.com)

He takes the hard questions head on with answers proving he wears his heart on his sleeve.  He addresses the issues on integrating into the current 76er lineup.  He plans to be a guide, mentor, and comrade to the younger players.

In this heartfelt press conference we see the side of AI we have all bee waiting and wanting to see: a humble Iverson.

His humility and genuine nature becomes evident as he owns up to his mistakes. He says the most disheartening thing about the media to him has been the misinterpretation his ego.

Iverson has realized it is time for him to fit in and be a teammate. In his words, AI simply wants “to be one of the guys” and “just wants to play basketball.”

AI discusses his discomfort in repeatedly relocating, and the strain it has had on his family. You get the sense that he feels Philadelphia has always been home.

Watching this conference it becomes apparent his heart has always been in Philadelphia. Now he gets to save his legacy and end things where it all began.

Whether or not this all comes to fruition will remain to be seen. He has said these things before joining the Nuggets, Pistons, and the Grizzlies. Is the third time going to be the charm for AI?

Here is what Iverson said earlier today:

I hope so. It is amazing to witness what this guy can do on the court. He is tiny by NBA standards, and takes a pounding like no other player his size could.

It is unknown if Iverson will indeed be effective or have a positive impact this season. He is a major liability but also has huge payoff potential for the 76ers if things do work out.

All I can say is that I believe what AI had to say today during this press conference, and hope that things work out for him.

Allen Iverson was offered a deal by the Philadelphia 76ers today.

If he accepts, Iverson will head back to the team where his career started.

Will he be the “answer” this time around?

With Lou Williams on the shelf with a broken jaw,  the 76ers depth at the guard position has been depleted to the point that this contract offer was basically a necessity.

ESPN’s Rick Bucher has this to report:

This is a bold move by Philly.

Iverson’s style of play goes against the grain of Eddie Jordan’s style of coaching. The Princeton offense with AI? How many possessions will it take before Iverson overrides the Princeton offense, goes one-on-one, and take the game over on his own?

This will help the 76ers pack seats into the stadium but at what cost? Philly is currently 5-13, and it is highly unlikely that they can turn things around unless Eddie Jordan decides to toss out his playbook, and ride the Iverson train.

Philly fans I hope you are ready for a long, sad season. Just look at what happened to the Pistons and Grizzlies. They were completely derailed by Iverson’s antics and refusal to buy into the team concept. My heart goes out to you guys!

I'm home! (Credit: picapp.com)

The Philadelphia 76ers leave many questions prior to the start of 2009-10.

First off, their moves in free agency are quite strange.

They let Andre Miller leave. Which is rather crazy enough. But then…..

They sign Jason Kapono. Sure he has a ring, but also had Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal back then. Sure he can hit 3s. But can he do anything else?

The 76ers expect Jrue Holiday, Royal Ivey, and Lou Williams to run the back-court? Oops, um sorry, I meant scuttle the back-court.

That is stretching it thin. At least Ivey can defend well. When you have no experience at the point, your overall chances are diminished substantially.

Elton Brand has only played 37 games over the last two years. This is a huge variable for the 76ers. If I were Brand, based on Philly’s moves, I would be saying either “Ouch, my Achilles” or “Please trade me now.”

They were unable to rid themselves of Samuel Dalembert. Although there have been several trade rumors since last season, this is my favorite .

Chances are, they won’t be able to move him because of his inconsistent play. Also, he is not so high on the basketball IQ food chain. Ultimately, if he stays, he should end up losing loads of minutes to Philadelphia’s younger big men.

Thaddeus Young is the real deal. He’s a young and talented defender with some serious offensive upside. His future looks real bright. He has an inside-out game. He is left handed which is always a plus in the world of sports.

Young killed it last year at the age of 20, dropping in 15.3 points while shooting 49.5%. He also had 5 rebounds a game. Look for these numbers to climb next season.

Marreese Speights is a young big on the 76ers roster. In 16 minutes a game he dropped in 7.7 points while shooting 50% with 3.7 rebounds a game. He is faraway the smarter center with the ball than Dalembert and he has NCAA Championship experience.

Speights’ numbers will increase with more time. Make that with Dalemberts’ time.

We are looking at a potential 15 and 10 guy here all the way.

The main question is: How are Brand and Iguodala going to feel about the rebuilding process? These guys are solid when they have the rock, but who is going to set them up?

This is going to be a long year..... (Credit: picapp.com)

It would require impossibly massive years from the 76ers backcourt in addition to  Speights in order to return to the playoffs.

We all know Williams has game, but he is not a pure point, and Holiday is not Derrick Rose.

The 76ers appear to have taken a couple of steps backwards this season. However, they could easily be on the right path after this year.

The prognosis: 76ers miss the playoffs, and will be in the lottery next draft.

The only good news involving “old” is that the 76ers are planning to bring back the old school jerseys.

Unfortunately, that is not enough to make a playoff run.