“Always Late and Never Sober”: NBA World Ridicules Allen Iverson’s 76ers Desire as 21YO Rant Resurfaces

Allen Iverson’s attachment to his first NBA team shows through his speech. Now he wants to show it with action. He expressed his desire to have a significant presence in the Philadelphia 76ers organization. He wants to make an impact the way Dirk Nowitzki has maintained a relationship with his former team.

The NBA world has mixed reactions to it. Some would say that it is long overdue. Others felt that AI is going to make his old rant real.

Allen Iverson wants to return to 76ers

Allen Iverson had his best years in the Philadelphia 76ers franchise where he began his career in 1996. He was Rookie of the Year, had the most All-Star appearances with them, was the All-Star Game MVP twice, and it was the last NBA team he played with. Now he wants to go back to the franchise in a different role.

“My role there is nowhere near what I think it’s supposed to be… I love that organization for everything they did for me… I want to give them more of what I have,” he expressed in a recent interview with Rachel Nichols.

When asked about what he wanted to do in the Sixers organization, he expressed he wanted to be a mentor or a league ambassador like Dirk Nowitzki is to the Dallas Mavericks and the NBA.

“It would be multiple things. Obviously, talk to players about what’s going on, and be there for them if they want to talk to me about anything. I want to be there for any type of advice I can give,” he expressed.

WATCH THIS STORY | Shaquille O’Neal’s Glaring Error in Rare Talent Flex Immediately Exposed by Angel Reese

His desire to return has resurfaced an old incident that reflected AI the mentor. The 2001 MVP had not much to show for the Sixers disappointing 2001-2002 campaign. In one media address, Iverson made a funny and exasperated rant where he uttered the word, “practice” 22 times. It’s so infamous, Genius.com deviated from serving song lyrics to transcribing the speech.

“If a coach says I miss practice, and y’all hear it, then that’s that. I might’ve missed one practice this year, but if somebody says, ‘he doesn’t come to practice,’ it could be one practice out of all the practices this year, that’s enough,” was only a small part of the rant. He’d also repeatedly say, “We’re talking about practice.”

It spoke about his contentious relationship with the former Sixers coach, Larry Brown. But now, it reminds fans of the rebellious side of Iverson if he comes back to the Sixers.

Fans worry about AI-run practice

An Instagram page presented the question, “How should Philadelphia utilize Iverson?” Fans had all kinds of responses. Some believe The Sixers should’ve signed The Answer long ago, as one wrote, “They should have put you on staff as player development a long time ago.”

Some hint that the Sixers considered it and gave up due to a certain reason. “I heard they tried but dude is always late and never sober.”

Others just imagine that Nick Nurse is going to have the same problems Larry Brown did. “AI wants to show up at 76ers practice and utter those famous words: ‘Practice, y’all…we’re talkin’ ‘bout practice,’” one quoted his rant. Another imagined AI as a special advisor. “First day of business : no more practice.” 

Practice or not, most believe he’d do well for the team. And they think this is his opportunity to have a ring with the Sixers. But, “As long there’s no practice.” What do you think AI the mentor would be like?

READ MORE: Owner of 150 Car Washers, Shaquille O’Neal Puts Potential Rival’s Massive Launch on Display