It is rare that during a game telecast the game itself is not the story, but tonight’s Washington Wizards-Philadelphia 76ers game on ESPN has turned into an Allen Iverson soap opera. After reports today by the New York Post’s Peter Vescey that Iverson asked for a trade out of Philadelphia, and after a statement by Iverson saying as much, ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters got 76ers chairman Ed Snyder to state flatly that Iverson had likely played his last game with the team. That was followed by ESPN going to reporter Jim Gray in Denver, who informed a national audience that Iverson expected a trade, and not only that, but one to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Lead play-by-play man Mike Breen and analyst Hubie Brown have talked about the Iverson situation for most of the game, while Lisa Salters has also interviewed Chris Webber and Billy King on the situation. ESPN’s studio crew has been all over this story as well, doing about as good a job as you can expect from a non-TNT panel.
In a lot of cases, ESPN’s overload of analysts and reporters can be a bad thing (see Bob Knight ‘slapping’ controversy). In this situation, like in the trade of Shaq to Miami or of A-Rod to New York, it’s about as good as it gets.
“We’ll try to accommodate him.” – Ed Snyder on A.I. trade request in an interview with Lisa Salters.
“I’m just really really hopeful right now that the deal with Minnesota . . . will work out.” – Allen Iverson’s words, according to Jim Gray.
According to Gray, a trade between Philadelphia and Minnesota is in the works.
“It’s gonna happen quicker than most would anticipate, probably next week.” – Greg Anthony on the Philadelphia/Minnesota trade.
“I think Billy King has been on the phone, probably for a year. … One thing’s for sure, Allen Iverson will finally get his wish to play with a superstar player like Kevin Garnett.” – Tim Legler on the Philadelphia Minnesota trade.
