Allen Iverson Speaks on Trade! More Reactions to Trade
Written by John Mbugua
Allen Iverson Biography
Allen Iverson Traded to Denver Nuggets.
Nuggets Coach George Karl agrees the reason he is coaching is to win a championship. With him and Allen Iverson getting closer to the end of their careers, Karl thinks Iverson is "The Answer" to his need of a championship.
"He's only really playing to win a championship,'' Karl said. "Probably deep down inside, I'm only coaching to win a championship.''
In a new statement, Allen Iverson said he is excited to be in Denver.
"Denver's style of play fits my strengths,'' said Iverson, who'll face his former team on Jan. 2 in Denver. "I'm looking forward to playing with Carmelo, the rest of the Denver Nuggets, and for George Karl, who is a proven winner.''
Right after word of the trade spread, 340 new season tickets had been purchased.
The Nuggets plan to have Allen Iverson start his first game with the Nuggets on Wednesday's home game against Phoenix.
Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson both averaged 30+ points per game last season, and people are wondering whether the two scorers can coexist.
"Who cares?'' George Karl said. "The whole thing comes down to wins. Allen has shown the world he can win the scoring championship. Now he wants to show the world he wants to win the championship. Whatever that takes, I think he'll do.''
"One thing I hear on a consistent basis is, his teammates love him,'' Karl said. "I think we need better chemistry on my basketball team. I think we need more leadership. I think we need more emotional maturity, I think we need some mental toughness, some intensity, an every game, every possession mentality. I think everything I said there, Allen Iverson has.''
George Karl does not think Allen Iverson will be a headache for him and has already talked to friend and former Philly coach Larry Brown about him.
"I don't think I've ever had a problem with a player who plays hard,'' Karl said. "If you come at 7:30 and you bring it every day at 7:30, I'm probably going to be nice to you. I'm probably going to like you. It's the guys that don't bring it that I get frustrated with.''
Even Kobe Bryant had an opinion on the blockbuster deal.
"It gives them a big threat, especially come playoff time,'' he said. "They've got two guys who can take matters into their own hands. If either one of them gets hot, you've got some serious problems.''
Written by John MbuguaAllen Iverson Biography
Allen Iverson Traded to Denver Nuggets.
