Allen Iverson Interview
By InsideHoops.com | Nov. 27, 2005
Saturday afternoon in New York, the Philadelphia 76ers lost 105-102 in an overtime thriller to the Knicks. Nate Robinson hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to win it for the home team. Allen Iverson had 40 points, four rebounds and 10 assists in the loss. InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner was there for Iverson's post-game interview and presents the full transcript.
Question: What was the difference in the second half?
Allen Iverson: They played better offensively, and we did a bad job guarding them. We just couldn't stop them.
Question: Was this a game you should have finished off in regulation?
Allen Iverson: Yeah, definitely. I thought we had a chance to get it done, but we've been going through this the last couple of games, having leads and giving them up. We got to figure out a way for that to stop happening.
Question: The collective job they did of guarding you, what was that challenge like?
Allen Iverson: It's just like any other game. I'm used to the attention that I get defensively now. It's ten years and it's been the same way virtually every year. It's no different. It's not a defense that I haven't seen since I've been out here. I just play my regular game. But they did a great job, as I said, overall. They did a good job on my early, and by the time I got it together it was too late.
Question: Did Stephon present any problems for you?
Allen Iverson: Nobody don't present problems for me. Nobody. And that's no knock on Stephon or anyone else. It's just a fact. (Hear Iverson say this.)
Question: Talk about that last shot Nate Robinson hit.
Allen Iverson: That guy made a tough shot. It was over the backboard and he was fading away. It was a great shot. A great shot.
Question: Have you been able to figure out what Larry Brown might be able to do for the Knicks?
Allen Iverson: I don't care what goes on here. That's none of my business. I'm worried about what goes on in Philadelphia. I don't have nothing to do with that. It's none of my business.
Question: You had these guys down, and they came back. Did you expect them to try to make the comeback they did?
Allen Iverson: Yeah, they're at home. THe crowd booing them. And then they just started playing harder. We expect every team to make a run when we get a lead on them. Just like we expect to make a run when a team get a run on us.
Question: What can you guys do about the rebounding problems the team is having?
Allen Iverson: I don't know. Ain't too much you can do to teach rebounding. It's simple. Rebounding is pride, ego, and just having the will to want to do it. I don't think you can coach that. That's one of the aspects of the game that you got to get it done with just heart and ability.
Question: What do you think of Nate Robinson?
Allen Iverson: The sky's the limit for him. He played well tonight. He's a tough guard. He's going to be fine. He has the best coach in the world on his side, so that can only help. I think he'll be great.
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