Sixers' Allen Iverson blasts idea of load management, talks practice rant

Apr 9, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts after a collision during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

CAMDEN, N.J. — In the NBA today, there is an idea of managing a player’s workload during the regular season to prepare that player for the playoffs. The Toronto Raptors did it in 2019 with Kawhi Leonard to prepare him for the postseason and he delivered huge playoff performances to bring Toronto a title.

The Philadelphia 76ers have done a version of it for Joel Embiid in the past to try and deliver a healthy big fella to the playoffs.

As for franchise legend Allen Iverson, he isn’t with all that.

“Yeah, right,” Iverson said sarcastically when asked about load management. “You know me. I still would’ve been pouting every time I came out of the game. I think coach tells me all the time that I had to put the ball in the air a lot for us to win and it wouldn’t have been no different because if you’re saying I would’ve been playing with the same teammates, then why would my game change? You know what I mean?”

Iverson was known for playing through everything back in his era. He would play through every bump and bruise and give his all to the Sixers organization and the city of Philadelphia.

“But as far as load management, just sitting out of a game? I can sit out of practice,” Iverson added. “Play me in the game. You know what I mean? Like, that’s crazy. They’re talking about guys not playing in games and sitting out of games, but they’re getting on me for not practicing, but they know I’m playing in every game. Hurt, sick, whatever so I just thought I was getting picked on back then.”

One of the more iconic Iverson moments didn’t happen on the court with his killer crossover or his ability to take games over in the blink of an eye. It happened off the court during his infamous “practice” rant at a press conference. At that moment, most believed he didn’t practice or care about it, but he wanted to correct that on Friday.

“I wish I had the opportunity—I mean, I don’t regret too many things in my life—but I wish I had the opportunity instead of reacting in a negative way or just getting frustrated, I wish I could’ve explained how could you become an MVP?” Iverson began. “How could you become an All-Star? How can you become a Hall of Famer? And do all of these great things that I accomplished if I didn’t practice? How do you think I got that good? I had to practice.”

Unfortunately, that’s the way the world works. There can be one bad clip or one bad moment at a press conference and that’s it. Iverson is known mostly for that rant.

“So, like I said, I just thought it was a bad rap on me,” he finished. “One interview just turned me into some legendary—one day I’m walking in the streets and people come up to me and say ‘Practice? We’re talking about practice?’ and I be like ‘Man, out of all the things I accomplished. That’s the only thing y’all can come up with?’ Crazy.”

Skill.
Shiftiness.
Swagger.
Sixer.#KiaMVP, 4x Scoring Champ and #NBA75 team member.

Allen Iverson's statue will be unveiled today in Philly!

pic.twitter.com/O0DHNZV98f

— NBA (@NBA) April 12, 2024

Iverson will always be known as one of the best players in the history of the NBA. His legacy will always be honored in basketball history.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers’ Allen Iverson blasts idea of load management, talks practice rant