"This is our last chance to strengthen the roster." Philadelphia head coach Rick Adelman saw Allen Iverson at his lowest.
It pained him.
No one understood better than he did just how desperately his player fought for basketball.
This year was undoubtedly their best chance to win a championship. Every team was engaged in a frantic arms race, preparing to show what they could do in the playoffs.
Yet the Philadelphia 76ers were one of the few title contenders that had made no reinforcements at all.
One step behind meant falling behind at every turn. That former Eastern Conference championship team had actually been regressing over the past few years.
"It's time for a change."
"For this city, for Iverson."
Rick Adelman called the Atlanta Hawks.
This year, the Hawks had acquired Big Dog Glenn Robinson from the Bucks, a player averaging 20+6+3, and paired him with team leader Jerry Stackhouse's 20+4+4 and Jason Terry's 17+3+7 to form a three-pronged attack.
But that trio had terrible chemistry.
Glenn Robinson in particular simply did not fit in with the rest of the team.
So far, this team with three near-All-Stars was shockingly ranked thirteenth in the Eastern Conference!
Everyone fought for himself!
No defense!
This blue-collar team, which had once dominated the Eastern Conference under Wilkens, had now become a gathering place for toxic players.
The Hawks chose to fire head coach Lon Kruger, put every player on the trade block, end this humiliating season, and tank completely.
"Boss! What did you say? I'm going back to Philadelphia!??" Jerry Stackhouse could not believe what he had just heard.
AI's call was still as brief and direct as ever.
But even Stackhouse could clearly feel Iverson's joy!
Jerry Stackhouse had not had a good time in Atlanta these past few years.
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