Source: http://0rz.tw/maCv7 ********************************************************************* Allen Iverson not to blame for everything BY DREW SHARP ‧ FREE PRESS COLUMNIST ‧ March 10, 2009 ********************************************************************* The stock market continues its southward spiral. And it's all Allen Iverson's fault. The Red Wings' defensive erosion continues with alarming regularity. Blame A.I. for such carelessness with the puck. There are huge sinkholes erupting all over Detroit streets. They weren't there until Iverson drove over them. What's next? Was Iverson the guy who provided former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick with his BlackBerry? It's no wonder the man's back is ailing. Lugging around all the public culpability for the Pistons' mediocrity can't be easy. He'll carry the bull's-eye on his back for his remaining days in Detroit because the Pistons' recent rise from the ashes fuels the justifications of those still steadfastly against The Trade. They can wag their tongues, point their fingers and cry, "Told you so." How pathetic. The Pistons are winning again because they believe they've returned to the status quo. Rip Hamilton is back in the starting lineup, but also back as the unchallenged offensive force. Tayshaun Prince is getting more involved offensively. Antonio McDyess is dominating the glass. They've regained a familiar comfort level, charging past Orlando, 98-94, Monday for their fifth victory in six games. They're more comfortable because Iverson isn't around. They don't have to adapt. They don't have to change. They have their scapegoat. Life is good for everybody. It just makes it easier to blame Iverson for everything -- forcing Hamilton to the bench, forcing a team to run that would rather crawl, and forcing players that have settled into a contented routine into a dramatic transformation. "Rip doesn't have to share a role with Allen right now," said coach Michael Curry. "I'm sure they're feeling better because it's kind of like it was before when everybody knew each other better. We were able to run the offense more through him in the fourth quarter, and you saw Rip take over like he was accustomed to doing." Hamilton had a career-high 14 assists along with a game-high 29 points. The Pistons' best chance (OK, maybe it's actually their only chance) of surviving the first round of the playoffs is maintaining their current No. 6 Eastern Conference seeding, matching them up with No. 3 seed Orlando. (2 of 2) Orlando still cannot beat these guys. It doesn't matter whom the Pistons put on the floor. When Rasheed Wallace left in the first quarter with a mild calf strain, Curry relied on Kwame Brown and Walter Herrmann more than nerves would normally allow. But they contributed at both ends, with Herrmann turning into an Argentine version of Dr. J with a swooping reverse scoop off the glass. It was a rare entertaining night at the Palace. And many will wrongly credit Iverson's absence for the festiveness. "Whenever Allen returns," Curry said, "we all have to find a way t all work because this team isn't better without Allen, no matter what people might think." If sustained success was impossible with Iverson, then could somebody explain the Pistons' longest winning streak this season -- five games -- with Iverson starting and Hamilton on the injured list with a groin pull?好问题... At some point, players and everybody else must accept the necessity of embarking down an uncertain but calculated new path for the potential long-term benefit. There are no guarantees that'll it work. There is no safe road. People are frustrated. They want assurances whether it involves the future of the automobile industry or far more mundane matters such as the Lions' first draft pick next month. Iverson has become the perceived catalyst for the Pistons' own competitive depression. He doesn't deserve that stigma, but people have to blame somebody. ********************************************************************* 整篇蛮中肯的！~ 不知有没有好心板友想翻译这一篇呢？ -- Only the strong survive- Iverson ⊕ ═█┘ ⊕ ●╱ 　　　 Ｗ ● ●︵ ● ●)) ３╯ <３\ /３⊕ ／３﹚ ３ \\ />⊕ >/ ⊕ ╲> >> ========= http://www.wretch.cc/blog/AWEI3 ========= --

※ 发信站: 批踢踢实业坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 58.114.81.64 ※ 编辑: Paraguay 来自: 58.114.81.64 (03/11 14:30)