Gary Payton: I'm the Reason for Allen Iverson's Infamous 'Practice' Rant
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2013
- Original link: • The Story Behind Allen...
With Iverson's retirement looming Gary Payton shares the story and a priceless impression.
The Story Behind Iverson's 'Practice' Rant
When Allen Iverson was talking about practice, Gary Payton was behind the scenes pulling strings.
Alright, that's not entirely true, but he may still be responsible for Iverson's infamous rant.
Following Tzvi Twersky of Slam's report that Iverson was set to officially announce his retirement, Payton took ownership of his potential role in those blathering proceedings during an episode of Fox Sports Live.
Iverson had asked Payton how he stayed in such great shape and was always able to remain on the court, and Payton's response paved the way for one of the most absurd rants in NBA history.
"I told him for real 'My coach, George Karl, didn't let me practice,' " he recalled. "That was it. I said 'You have to stop practicing.' "
The rest is history. Literally.
verson took Payton's words as a license to bemoan the importance of practice. To Iverson, it was a trivial, unnecessary part of his job description. I mean come on, we're talking about practice. Not a game. Practice. Who cares?
A lot of people, hence our continued fascination with his long-winded soliloquy more than 10 years later.
Once Iverson began to sense that he wasn't preaching to the choir from that soapbox of his, I'm surprised he didn't reveal the "source" behind his beliefs. Throwing Payton under the proverbial bus would have deflected some of the blame.
"Gary Payton doesn't have to practice, so why should I?" he could have asked.
Imagine the repercussions. Iverson and Payton would've forever been known as the anti-practice brigade, destroying one team's right to prepare for upcoming games at a time.
Fortunately for Payton, things didn't turn out that way. There was no name dropping of any kind, so he mercifully avoided the backlash Iverson himself incurred.
Not that Payton supported Iverson's musings-he didn't. Upon hearing the soundbite the Philadelphia 76ers point guard graciously bestowed upon the world, Payton was borderline traumatized.
"Oh no, not this," he said of his reaction to Iverson's verbal tirade. "Don't say it like that, Allen. Don't do it like that."
Perhaps Iverson wouldn't have gone off on reporters and the ridiculous standard he was being held to if we weren't talking about practice. But we were, and so he did. And we apparently have Payton to thank for that.
When I met him, A.I. was one of the most humble brothers I ever met. Soft spoken and down to Earth. I feel for his present situation. He's a nice guy who's a bit misunderstood.
the stuff about "practice".. nobody ever saying the truth about it.. the whole conversation... very close to "i lost my friend (dead), i lost this huge match today... and we are here to talk not about the game but about practice!"
the answer carried one of the worst teams in NBA finals history
The true story about the practice interview is that Allen Iverson's friend died a couple days before the game and they asked him why wasn't he practicing during those days. Kind of a stupid question to ask and then with his response the media ran with it.
I didn't realize how good Iverson was until I watched him drop 40+ points on Gary Payton and Kobe Bryant back in the day like it was nothing. These are two of the best defensive guards I've ever seen. That's how I knew that dude was something special.
Totally false!! He lost his best friend. The media always twists stuff around thats why they are hated
Payton, whatcha talking about? Iverson’s friend died the day he didn’t practice, it had nothing to do with you. Shhh
Andy roddick=Steve stifler :)
Always cool to see Gary. A REAL dude.
Gary Payton is such classy player. I miss the glove.
A.I. was mad cause they lost but the main thing was his friend getting killed and they brought up practicing and he felt all the shit he going through and yaw wanna talk bout practice ..love the glove but that shit wasn't about him
I can honestly say I got see my best player in NBA play against Cleveland in 2001. It was amazing. He scored 25 pts 3 steals and won. I can say to myself I seen that happen. MY ALL TIME BEST NBA PLAYER ALLEN IVERSON.
thats not what the reason why a.i. ranted like that
Payton hasn't changed a bit
Greatest pound for pound player of all time! Biggest heart of all time!
mcnabb straight interrupted at
Bird and magic invented basketball
Hate it or like it, ain't nobody, n ain't nobody like Allen iverson. This dude had to had a club of his own as a creator of basketball science period. He's got it all. A Superfly that the whole world wana whatch till this day.
man this reporter doesnt even let them finish their points
AI is an icon. He changed the game of basketball and the game of Urban fashion.