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Iverson finds cheeks is the answer
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-08 08:52
DURHAM, N.C. - Allen Iverson loves practice so much he wants to arrive early.
"I can't remember the last time I actually wanted to come in real early," the
former MVP said Friday. "It's been great, man. Everybody's responding well.
Everybody's trying to learn and get better."
![The Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson practices boxing-out during the fourth day of training camp at Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University on Friday, Oct. 7, 2005. [AP]](xin_15100208085227509361.jpg)
The Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson
practices boxing-out during the fourth day of training camp at Cameron
Indoor Stadium at Duke University on Friday, Oct. 7, 2005. [AP]
| So much for the player who never missed a chance to
denounce or skip practice.
Iverson has a whole new outlook now that former All-Star guard Maurice Cheeks
is coaching the 76ers. The atmosphere at training camp at Duke University is fun
and relaxed, and Iverson attributes that to the laid-back, yet authoritative,
Cheeks.
"This was a dream for me, ever since coach (Larry) Brown left," Iverson said.
"I wanted Maurice Cheeks to be the coach and now it's finally here. It's just
different for me. I feel like in the 10 years that I've been playing, the
atmosphere should have always been like it is. I should have always wanted to
come to work every day and not play hard or go after people because I was upset
about something."
Last year was really the first one where Iverson made news only for what he
did on the court. The off-court drama and public coaching clashes evaporated as
Iverson enjoyed perhaps his finest year, which included an All-Star game MVP
award and a 60-point game.
After once asking, "How can I make my teammates better by practicing?"
Iverson finally discovered he really can make a difference.
"When everybody sees that I'm working and ready to get at it, I guess it
makes it that much easier for them to get involved with everything going on,"
Iverson said.
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