20 Shots: Why the Sixers Will Never Improve

Although I am admittedly, not the world’s biggest Allen Iverson fan, Lord knows I love the way he plays the game. He’s the biggest “little man” in the game and has been ever since he entered the league almost a decade ago. He’s a player after my own heart too – one who plays with reckless abandon and no regard for his own health and well-being.

You see, I’m a little guy too – and anyone who knows me or has ever played against me, will tell you firsthand I’m as resilient as Iverson too – bouncing back from numerous injuries to continue playing the sport I love so much. Like Iverson, I, also have never been shy about shooting the rock. Just ask the guys I exploded on this past weekend at the local YMCA (as much as a 39-year-old can explode) when my team went 6-1 in over three hours of playing.

As I have aged however, I ultimately came to the conclusion, that less, can many times, mean more – and in the case of the Philadelphia 7ers – I believe less Iverson will translate into more wins and a better overall team in the long run.
The best and most recent example of a superior scorer sacrificing his scoring for the betterment of his team would be none other than Michael Jordan, who scored at will for years and amazed spectators and opponents alike with his dizzying array of aerial acrobatics.

However, Jordan and the Bulls didn’t become an elite team until Jordan bought into head coach Phil Jackson’s system and began trusting his teammates. Case in point, how many game-winning jump shots did John Paxson make throughout his career with Chicago? He never would have made those shots though had Jordan not trusted him enough to pass him the ball.

My point is - if the Sixers and Iverson ever want to return to their winning ways, then I believe Iverson should limit his shot attempts to 20 per game. Let me explain my reasoning.

Number one, I think the best point guards in the game are the ones who can score when called upon but are more playmakers than scorers – guys who look to get their teammates as involved as themselves.