THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 4, 1996 TAG: 9611040126
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHICAGO LENGTH: 145 lines
If, as their marketing campaign promises, the Allen Iverson-led Philadelphia 76ers are embarking on a ``revolution,'' then their first two games, played Friday in Philly and Saturday in Chicago, were their battles of Lexington and Concord.
And the Sixers, unfortunately, played the role of the British: routed twice and forced to regroup.
For Iverson, the point guard from Hampton's Bethel High who was the first pick in the NBA draft, it was a sobering introduction to the NBA. In two games, the rookie from Georgetown scored 45 points and dazzled teammates, fans and opponents with his quickness. But for him the bottom line was the bottom line: two Sixers losses.
``I just don't like losing,'' Iverson says.
In Philly, he may have to get used to it.
Friday night, Philadelphia
``I need some scissors,'' Iverson says, sitting in the locker room 90 minutes before the game.
Over come the scissors, and off come the sleeves from a brand-new T-shirt, one Iverson will wear in the pregame shoot-around.
If Iverson's nervous, he won't betray it.
``I'm never nervous,'' he says. ``I'm excited.''
The whole organization is excited. It's the first game in the brand-new, $210 million CoreStates Center. The Sixers won just 18 games last year, but they are building around Iverson and Jerry Stackhouse, the high-flying guard from North Carolina. On the cover of the team's Media Guide are four words: New spirit. New attitude.
Iverson and Stackhouse are touted as the leaders of the Sixers' ``Revolution.'' In a video clip played on the arena's giant screen, footage of Stackhouse dunking is shown as the Beatles' ``Revolution'' blares over loudspeakers. There's also a shot of Iverson walking across the stage to shake commissioner David Stern's hand on draft day. There's a shot of Sixers president Pat Croce dancing with Benjamin Franklin. There's even a clip from the musical ``1776.''
New spirit. New attitude.
Same old Sixers.
After a long smoke and laser show, the game finally begins, and the Sixers fall behind Milwaukee. They're sloppy and out of sync.
The biggest question about Iverson is not whether he can score in the NBA. That's a given. It's whether he will get his teammates involved. Whether he can shoot a little less, pass a little more.
Early on, it's apparent that if Iverson's assist numbers aren't up to par, it may not be all his fault. In the first minute he sets up Clarence Weatherspoon with a nice bounce pass. Weatherspoon misses a layup. Other players either aren't ready for Iverson's passes or don't take advantage when he gets the ball to them.
``Guys have got to get used to Allen's penetration,'' coach Johnny Davis says.
The rest of the league will have to get used to his quickness. Iverson repeatedly beats Milwaukee's Sherman Douglas off the dribble, driving to the basket at will.
He also beats Douglas in transition. On one play, Douglas drives and throws up an airball. Philadelphia rebounds, Iverson releases, and Douglas can only watch from 90 feet away as Iverson dunks.
``He was great,'' Douglas says after the game. ``What else can I say?''
Iverson finishes with a game-high 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting, and six assists.
But he also picks up his fifth foul, with 2:34 to go, then adds a technical foul when he complains too loudly to Hugh Evans. He misses a 3-pointer as the Sixers, who had rallied to tie the game, wilt down the stretch and fall 108-101.
``A loss, that's all that matters,'' Iverson says.
Not to everyone. Not to those who know how far Iverson has come since being imprisoned for his part in a Hampton bowling alley brawl in 1993. He was granted conditional clemency by former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, and the conviction eventually was overturned by an appeals court.
``It would be nice if we won,'' Iverson's mother, Ann, says afterwards. ``But at least he got here.''
Saturday night, Chicago
``You think Michael Jordan's got something for you?'' a reporter asks Iverson.
``Mike's got something for everybody, every night,'' Iverson says.
``You got something for Mike?''
``I feel like I've got something for everybody, every night.''
Iverson does not lack confidence, even on a night when the 76ers are the equivalent of a college football homecoming foe. It's the Bulls' first home game, and they have a big party planned for their fans. They'll raise a new championship banner and get their championship rings.
The 20-minute pregame ceremony in which they are presented is as over-the-top as an Andrew Lloyd Webber production. Trumpets blare and laser lights dance as the championship banner is hoisted to the rafters. And then, as if the gods of good taste are punishing the Bulls for their excess, a rope snaps and the banner hangs there like a limp dish towel.
It doesn't faze the champs, however. As the game opens, it's the Sixers who are limp, maybe from all the waiting around.
Philly is never in the game. Iverson opens the game by hitting a 3-pointer, but then his shooting touch deserts him. He blows by Bulls guard Ron Harper but is called for palming the ball. Harper shoots over him on the other end, and has 12 first-quarter points.
Still, his talent is obvious. Although he goes just 4 of 13 from the floor, for 15 points, and has just two assists and five turnovers in a 115-86 loss, the Bulls are effusive in their praise.
``He's quick as hell,'' Harper says. ``I thought I could play defense, but I don't know, now that I've seen him.''
Iverson doesn't get a chance to try a move on Jordan, his idol, but Jordan says the kid should be a future star.
``He's got unbelievable talent and quickness,'' Jordan says.
Iverson again is disappointed with the loss but not down on himself, or his team.
``I'm not going to change my game,'' Iverson says. ``I'm going to be the same Allen Iverson I was in college. I've just got better players around me.''
Philly doesn't want Iverson to change his electric game, but to refine it. He needs to stop gambling so much on defense. He needs to get through picks better. He needs to learn how to play back-to-back games.
Iverson has a lot to learn. And, at 21, a lot of basketball left to play.
``I know we're supposed to be rebuilding,'' he says, ``but I think we can make some things happen this year. I'm still happy with my teammates. This is one game. Tomorrow is another day.
``Eighty games left.'' ILLUSTRATION: IVERSON'S INITIATION TO THE NBA
LAWRENCE JACKSON PHOTOS
The Virginian-Pilot
Allen Iverson soars over Glen Robinson while chasing down a loose
ball. Iverson scored a game-high 30 points against the Milwaukee
Bucks in his NBA debut.
The 76ers' new slogan is ``New Spirit, New Attitude,'' due in part
to a new star.
Allen Iverson, his hands full, was a portrait in eager anticipation
before his NBA debut Friday night in Philadelphia.
ABOVE: Iverson, taking a breather during the 76ers' opener, gives
his teammates a vocal lift. Philadelphia falls seven points short.
``A loss, that's all that matters,'' he says after the game.
LEFT: Iverson drives against the Bulls' Ron Harper. ``He's quick as
hell,'' Harper said after Saturday's game. ``I thought I could play
defense, but I don't know, now that I've seen him.''
Iverson acknowledges the fans. The verdict after two games: The rest
of the league - and his teammates - will have to get used to his
quickness. by CNB