Allen Iverson, the pound-for-pound best basketball player ever, wants to join the Sixers in a front office role. Is this a good idea? Of course it is. This is ALLEN IVERSON people, possibly the most beloved athlete in Philadelphia’s long sports history. But he doesn’t deserve the job just because of what he has done for the Sixers in the past, but what he can do for them moving forward.
“I would like to be even in that war room, even if they don’t go with my decision or whatever, just to have an opinion and putting out what I think and trusting the organization to do what’s right.”
Allen Iverson via www.philly.com
Allen Iverson serving as an ambassador or even a part of the front office that involves player personnel would be more than beneficial for this rebuilding franchise. Iverson is celebrity name in the basketball world. He is a name that most of these young up and coming stars idolized, and who wouldn’t want to play for their idol? Even LeBron James says he looked up to AI growing up. I’m not saying hiring Iverson would mean signing LeBron but it’s a move in the right direction.
Iverson brings in fans, which means bringing in money. This is a no brainer for the Sixers, who are struggling to sell out games. The Toronto Raptors hiring rapper Drake as their ambassador is a model to look at and why the Sixers should make this move.
Feb 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Canadian rapper, songwriter, and actor Drake watches the action during the third quarter in a game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.The Brooklyn Nets won 109-93. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Since Drake signed on as ambassador in 2013, the Raptors have seen their average attendance per game increase by over 1,500 fans and moved into the top 5 in the in NBA in total attendance for the 2014-15 season (you can look at NBA attendance numbers here). The Raptors have reached the playoffs once and are on track to reach it again this season. Drake’s clothing line associated with the team created the motto “The Northern Uprising”. We cannot solely credit Drake for Toronto’s success however he has had a positive impact for his hometown team. Also gives them a little swagger too.
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If someone like Drake can turnaround the basketball culture in a city, imagine what Iverson can do for Philly. A lot of people may be worried about him wanting to be involved in free agent signings, draft decisions, and trade talks, but it would be perfect. Iverson is a guy that looks at a guy and can tell by the way he plays whether he can be useful or not, which is a nice contrast to general manager Sam Hinkie and his beliefs in analytics. You need oppositions and arguments in draft and trade talks because it means people are actually thinking about different options.
Allen Iverson could be a missing key to this promising franchise. Iverson can turn this culture around and bring some more fans in. What do you guys think about Iverson wanting back in Philly?