Iverson Sells Tickets, but Will He Win Games?

[NJNJ]

http://www.blogcdn.com/nba.fanhouse.com/media/2009/12/allen-iverson-sixers-06-1209-200.jpg

 

Allen Iverson has yet to play a single game for the Philadelphia 76ers (in fact, he's yet to even join his teammates) but his impact has already been felt -- in the sales office.

 

The team won't release exact numbers but Lara Price, the 76ers senior vice president of business operations, did confirm to the Philadelphia Inquirer that they sold more tickets on Wednesday, the day Iverson's agreement to return to Philadelphia became official, than they have any other day since single-game tickets were released in Oct. 10.

 

Given the start to the Sixers' season, the timing couldn't be better: the Sixers have won just five of their first 19 games, ranking 29th out of 30 in home attendance. Even if Iverson's arrival provides a short-term boost, the fact that he signed for the prorated veteran's minimum means it won't take long for the team's bean counters to see a return on their investment.

 

But what about his impact on the basketball court? As GM Ed Stefanski told reporters during a teleconference, that's what he's most concerned about. "Allen can play right away. If it means we start playing better basketball and win and can bring fans in, that's great," Stefanski said. "But to get attendance you have to win basketball games and we're aware of that. That's why we brought Allen in, to win basketball games."

 

REST OF ARTICLE.

 

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Maybe the whole excitement and such over Iverson's return will of course not only bring in more $$ but also some motivation? I mean the dude has hardly played for the past month or so. So might as well get back on track of things.

[JWaLL]

To answer the title, no. The only thing the team is gaining is a higher audience turnout at the games.

[Art]

There is no reason that he will not win games. This is the basically the same team that he left that was able to win games plus now they have Brand and a more mature Iggy.

[xx.]

He will be like the new Brett Favre for real

[Sun Tzu]

I think he will be able to help the Sixers, probably not carry them all the way but he will definitely be a factor for them later on when they will get a chance to make it to the playofs.

[Check my Stats]

Adding Iverson most certainly should make this team better. Iguodala is a guy who doesn't command the ball and there isn't really anyone for AI to co-exist with. He should have a good year and I would be surprised if he didn't average 22 PPG once he gets into the swing of things.

 

This team needs to try and trade Elton Brand though.

[YoSixers]

Yes it will help sell ticketes. No it will not help win games. The Sixers play some of the most terrible defense in the NBA, and Allen Iverson only makes that more of a problem not less of one.

[Real Deal]

Yes it will help sell ticketes. No it will not help win games. The Sixers play some of the most terrible defense in the NBA, and Allen Iverson only makes that more of a problem not less of one.

Right, but if they just run the ball, instead of trying to set up the Princeton offense, they can be a playoff team. Defense wins championships, but there has to be scoring, and a lot of offensively-talented teams who lack defense have won 50+ games in a season, especially this last decade.