The answer raises more questions in Philadelphia

After six years with the Philadelphia 76ers and five tumultuous seasons with coach Larry Brown, Allen Iverson still wants to do things his way.

Sure, he's won an MVP award, been to three All-Star games, captured three scoring titles and reached the NBA Finals. But Iverson doesn't realize he could be an even better player and make his teammates better by improving his practice habits.

In a bizarre 35-minute news conference Tuesday, Iverson lashed out against those who question his work ethic, scoffed at the notion that lifting weights can help his game, and couldn't believe that practice had become such an issue.

''I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we're in here talking about practice. I mean, listen, we're talking about practice,'' Iverson said, becoming more incredulous each time he repeated the word. ''Not a game. Not a game. Not a game. We're talking about practice. Not a game. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last. Not the game. We're talking about practice, man. I mean how silly is that? And we're talking about practice.''

Practice is an issue because Iverson doesn't take it seriously enough. Although the 76ers won't say how many practices Iverson missed or was late for, he's been known to offer flimsy excuses.

If Michael Jordan had the same attitude, he might not have won those six championships. The same could be said for Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and other star players who believed they should be the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave.

''He knows that every great player in this league that's continued to improve has worked on his game, and he knows every great player that's been on a winning team has set an example in a positive way for his teammates,'' Brown said.

Iverson's scoring average has increased three straight years. But his shooting percentage has gone down each of those seasons, dropping to a career-low 39.8 percent this year. And his turnover ratio has gone up the last three seasons.

A few extra jumpers in practice probably couldn't hurt. Neither would spending a few more minutes with his teammates, learning their strengths and weaknesses, getting more familiar with where they'll be on the court so he doesn't have to throw blind passes when he drives to the basket and finds three defenders in his face.

''So my game is going to deteriorate if I don't practice with those guys?'' Iverson said. ''Is my game going to get worse?''

The numbers say it already has.

Frustrated by Iverson's disdain for practice, Brown indicated last Saturday -- the day after Boston eliminated the defending Eastern Conference champions in five games -- that the star guard could be on the trading block this summer.

But then, after a lengthy meeting with Iverson and general manager Billy King, Brown had a change of heart.

''I told (Iverson) that I wanted him to finish his career here,'' Brown said. ''And, I told him what I expected of him, and he had no problem with any of the things we talked about, none whatsoever.''

Two summers ago, Philadelphia completed a three-team deal that would have sent Iverson to Detroit, but the swap fell through.

Upset by the trade talk, Iverson vowed to be a team player on the court and a leader off it. Then he went out and won the MVP award and helped the 76ers reach the NBA Finals for the first time in 18 years.

But Iverson reverted to his old self this year. Again, Brown called him on it.

After Iverson's rants Tuesday, Brown downplayed the comments, saying ''it seemed to me that was a young kid reaching out for help.''

Iverson isn't a young kid, though. Not anymore. He'll be 27 next month, is married and has two children, and is in the midst of a six-year, $70.9 million contract.

It's time to grow up.

Rob Maaddi covers sports for The Associated Press.

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HEAD:The Answer raises more questions in Philadelphia

After six years with the Philadelphia 76ers and five tumultuous seasons with coach Larry Brown, Allen Iverson still wants to do things his way.

Sure, he's won an MVP award, been to three All-Star games, captured three scoring titles and reached the NBA Finals. But Iverson doesn't realize he could be an even better player and make his teammates better by improving his practice habits.

In a bizarre 35-minute news conference Tuesday, Iverson lashed out against those who question his work ethic, scoffed at the notion that lifting weights can help his game, and couldn't believe that practice had become such an issue.

''I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we're in here talking about practice. I mean, listen, we're talking about practice,'' Iverson said, becoming more incredulous each time he repeated the word. ''Not a game. Not a game. Not a game. We're talking about practice. Not a game. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last. Not the game. We're talking about practice, man. I mean how silly is that? And we're talking about practice.''

Practice is an issue because Iverson doesn't take it seriously enough. Although the 76ers won't say how many practices Iverson missed or was late for, he's been known to offer flimsy excuses.

If Michael Jordan had the same attitude, he might not have won those six championships. The same could be said for Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and other star players who believed they should be the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave.

''He knows that every great player in this league that's continued to improve has worked on his game, and he knows every great player that's been on a winning team has set an example in a positive way for his teammates,'' Brown said.

Iverson's scoring average has increased three straight years. But his shooting percentage has gone down each of those seasons, dropping to a career-low 39.8 percent this year. And his turnover ratio has gone up the last three seasons.

A few extra jumpers in practice probably couldn't hurt. Neither would spending a few more minutes with his teammates, learning their strengths and weaknesses, getting more familiar with where they'll be on the court so he doesn't have to throw blind passes when he drives to the basket and finds three defenders in his face.

''So my game is going to deteriorate if I don't practice with those guys?'' Iverson said. ''Is my game going to get worse?''

The numbers say it already has.

Frustrated by Iverson's disdain for practice, Brown indicated last Saturday -- the day after Boston eliminated the defending Eastern Conference champions in five games -- that the star guard could be on the trading block this summer.

But then, after a lengthy meeting with Iverson and general manager Billy King, Brown had a change of heart.

''I told (Iverson) that I wanted him to finish his career here,'' Brown said. ''And, I told him what I expected of him, and he had no problem with any of the things we talked about, none whatsoever.''

Two summers ago, Philadelphia completed a three-team deal that would have sent Iverson to Detroit, but the swap fell through.

Upset by the trade talk, Iverson vowed to be a team player on the court and a leader off it. Then he went out and won the MVP award and helped the 76ers reach the NBA Finals for the first time in 18 years.

But Iverson reverted to his old self this year. Again, Brown called him on it.

After Iverson's rants Tuesday, Brown downplayed the comments, saying ''it seemed to me that was a young kid reaching out for help.''

Iverson isn't a young kid, though. Not anymore. He'll be 27 next month, is married and has two children, and is in the midst of a six-year, $70.9 million contract.

It's time to grow up.

Rob Maaddi covers sports for The Associated Press.