We Are Again Talking About Practice.

[Pugz]

Pistons guard Allen Iverson missed practice on Thursday and will face a "hefty" fine, according to coach Michael Curry.

"I'm surprised when guys are late; I'm surprised when they don't show," Curry said. "It's a pretty hefty fine to be late, or to miss, and once again, it's accountability for yourself and your teammates."

Rodney Stuckey will start in Iverson's place on Friday against Milwaukee. Curry said he hadn't decided whether Iverson would play.

 

[DC4]

Here we go again...

 

[MapleLeaf]

From espn.com

Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson missed practice Thursday and will be levied a "hefty" fine, coach Michael Curry said.

"I'm surprised when guys are late; I'm surprised when they don't show," Curry said, according to the Detroit Free Press. "It's a pretty hefty fine to be late, or to miss, and once again, it's accountability for yourself and your teammates."

Rodney Stuckey, who scored 13 points and added a career-high 11 assists for his first career double-double Wednesday in a 110-96 victory over New York, will start in Iverson's place Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Curry said he hadn't decided whether Iverson would play.

Iverson, who was traded from the Denver Nuggets nearly a month ago, is averaging 18.5 points and 5.4 assists in 10 games with the Pistons this season.

He talked Saturday about the importance of finding chemistry with a new team through practice.

"I've been through it before," Iverson said. "I think the toughest part of it has been our schedule. We've been on the road a lot. That was tough. For me, it's just getting a chance to settle in.

"The most important thing is getting more practice time."

Iverson is no stranger to controversy stemming from practice issues.

In April 2002, he missed practice prior to Game 2 of the Philadelphia 76ers' first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, a month before his famous rant at coach Larry Brown's criticism for missing team practices.

Nearly two years later, he was benched for the start of a 76ers game against the Nuggets by coach Chris Ford and fined an undisclosed amount after not making it to Denver for practice.

Then in November 2006, Iverson reportedly stormed out of the practice gym after a conflict with coach Maurice Cheeks. The 76ers traded him to the Nuggets the next month.

 

[jarrod2323]

it's thanksgiving, for crying out loud... let the players be with their families

 

[MapleLeaf]

Whoops, posted same story in another thread after this. My bad.

But I disagree Jarrod, when you are making 20 million a year I think you should do what is all in the contract.

 

[jarrod2323]

at least make it optional. they can practice on friday am if it's that important

 

[playmaker7]

Should be with family on Thanksgiving but if its in your contract then you have to do it

 

[A.E]

Probably just said "f*ck it" and stayed home.

He can afford the fine and it's not like the Pistons are going to keep him on the bench, long-term.

Most of us have pulled that stint with work or school before.

 

[MapleLeaf]

yeah but most of us aren't making the money AI is lol.

 

[jarrod2323]

true. i'll give you that

 

[DC4]

From espn.com

You should of gotten the video with the Practice Counter I think he said about 22.5 Times...

 

[Pugz]

Probably just said "f*ck it" and stayed home.

He can afford the fine and it's not like the Pistons are going to keep him on the bench, long-term.

Most of us have pulled that stint with work or school before.

I agree.
Not to mention who cares about the Bucks game? He knows they suck and we would be fine without him starting or maybe even playing.

 

[Macken]

cant blame him man. hes got kids that i know he wants to spend time with on the holiday.. i would have done the same thing..

 

[playmaker7]

I'll lmao if they lose to the Bucks too

 

[.GR]

What an idiot, it was a f*cking hour out of the day, you're getting paid millions.

 

[.snowy]

I agree with everyone going down the "hes getting paid millions" train of thought. You are getting overpaid (everyone earning millions in the NBA is getting overpaid in my eyes, they're offering entertainment, not an actual service), turn up to work and earn it.

 

[RipCity32]

Practice on Thanksgiving is dumb, but still Iverson should of shown up. No questions asked.

 

[dez]

Really shouldnt have held practice on Thanksgiving....

 

[DC4]

IMO, they shouldn't have sporting events on Holidays Like this.. ( Thanksgiving & Christmas )

It takes players away from their. family's...

 

[.GR]

Yeah, but it's his job.
If you have to work on Thankgiving, and you decide not to show, you are most likely fired.
'Nuff said.