The Republic of Sport

Rusty Schackleford

Rusty Schackleford's Comments

Posted Friday November 27, 2009, About: Iverson having change of heart

Here we go with the "if" game.

If Antoine Carr dunked instead of shooting a layup, maybe the Jazz win
If Sabonis had good knees, maybe the Blazers beat the Lakers
If if if if!!

There are always ifs my friend.

If Allen Iverson was humble, he'd be on an NBA roster right now. How's that "if" work for ya?

Posted Friday November 27, 2009, About: Iverson having change of heart

You are 100% correct on this, but Allen's overbloated ego won't allow him to come off the bench. So let him sit home and retire ringless.

Posted Friday November 27, 2009, About: Iverson having change of heart

This just in: Nobody cares AI.

The "retirement" was just another lame moronic childish attempt to garner interest from an entity that doesn't seem at all interested in you: NBA GM's. Once again, like you did in Detroit and like you did in Memphis, you didn't get what you wanted so you took your proverbial ball and went home.

Listen up AI: you weren't really ever the star you thought you were, Ed Snider and the Sixers covered up your warts (poor teammate, unwilling to practice, overinflated ego) because you were putting butts in the seats. Spare me the cultural icon rhetoric, if your impact on the game was so great how come the NBA is doing all it can to eliminate it? I can answer that..because for all the cornrows, crossovers and tatts, you can't win a team anything because your style of play is more And1 than it is NBA. You were fortunate that Larry Brown took on the impossible task of building around you, because without him you would have just been overhyped gunner that would have had no playoff success, basically a 6-1 Tracy McGrady.

No one has ever denied Iverson's athleticism and willingness to play, but spare me that "warrior mentality nonsense", because a true warrior not only wants to be in the game, he wants to win. Allen Iverson, despite what he says, has never been interested in winning, just hoisting 30 shots a game and holding the offense hostage.

Give your dwindling fan base and legion of groupies something to be proud of and stay retired. Haven't you heard? The NBA seems to be doing well without you.

Posted Tuesday November 10, 2009, About: Grizzlies not waiting for Iverson

I don't get how you guys can't understand a guy who doesn't want to come in, put in the work and start? I mean come on, hasn't he been a model citizen everywhere else? Let's not forget all those championships he's won? Look at the long line of coaches who will vouch for his practice-habits, ability to adjust and overall stellar team play..

Oh, we're talking about Iverson? Nevermind.

Posted Monday November 09, 2009, About: Source: Iverson considering retirement

Larry Brown took that team to the Finals. Allen Iverson subsequently had better statistical years AFTER that Finals trip and couldn't get out of the first round. The only difference: no Larry Brown. Larry Brown has made EVERY team he coached better and is doing it again in Charlotte. How many teams has AI made better?

Posted Monday November 09, 2009, About: Source: Iverson considering retirement

Yes, I remember having those "AI is better than Kobe" debates, they were laughable. I also love the "look at what AI does at the All-Star game with some talent around him" debate as well. How stupid is that? Guess what, if I HAD THOSE GUYS RUNNING THE WING I'D HAVE 15 ASSISTS TOO!! I love the "well Kobe had Shaq" remark, well Shaq had Kobe too and last I checked, they both won titles without each other only Kobe was clearly the leader of his team while Shaq was riding Wades coattails. I've concluded that most Allen Iverson fans don't know much about the game of basketball, particularly the pro game. All they see are stats, stats only tell half the story. How is it that the 3rd highest scoring average in NBA history couldn't find a job anywhere but Memphis? That stat tells you all you need to know.

Posted Monday November 09, 2009, About: Source: Iverson considering retirement

Yes, overrated based on the situation. I believe you could have put 10-15 guys in that same situation in Philly (no other offensive player to demand the ball, 25-30 shots a game, playing no defense) and they would have put up the same type of numbers, perhaps even better. Remember Allen was putting up these numbers with one of the lowest shooting percentages ever. Put no-heart Vince Carter on those teams, give him the same amount of shots, T-Mac, Ray Allen, the list goes on. There was nothing intricate about what Allen did the with Sixers, they gave him the ball, he shot it, the rest of the team played defense and like I said, if it were not for Larry Brown, the guys career would have been just like T-Mac's, a ton of highlights and no real substance.

Posted Monday November 09, 2009, About: Source: Iverson considering retirement

Once again, all you can recite is stats.

I'll give you a few stats:

Sixers got tired of his act, shipped him to Denver
Denver got tired of his act, shipped him to Detroit
Detroit got tired of his act, didn't re-sign him
Memphis, after less than 10 games, got tired of his act, sent him home.

For every hollow stat there's a factual stat. I will never diminish the guys physical ability, he just happens to be the beneficiary of a good situation in Philly where he had all the shots. He can play, no doubt, but like I said, your generation is enamored with stats, they don't tell the whole story. For all you say above (Future HOF etc..) why can't he find a job in the NBA????

Posted Monday November 09, 2009, About: Source: Iverson considering retirement

Allen, take your overrated skills, your overrated career and your nutt-slurping legion of groupies and leave...I can think of about 10-15 guys you could have put on that Sixers team, give them 30 shots a game and they would have had the same hollow statistics. Without Larry Brown, your career would have been virtually meaningless. You better get on your knees and not thank God, but thank Ed Snider and Spectacor for putting up with your childish behavior because you sold tickets. They're partly to blame here, they never held you accountable, but in the end you're a grown arse man who shouldn't have needed to be babysat. I'm in Philly, I know Eric Snow used to have to PICK YOU UP and drive you to PRACTICE and that the year after the Sixers went to the finals you missed 70 practices. So go enjoy your money, I won't begrudge you that, you earned every penny and made the Sixers untold millions, maybe billions, but you were always overrated and if not for the PlayStation generation who are obsessed with stats, you'd be totally irrelevant.

Posted Sunday November 08, 2009, About: Grizzlies: Iverson hasn't asked for trade

Ratchet, 15-20 points a game along with 10 rebounds is about what you get for 16 million a year, he's right, Randolph is a moron, but he does produce.

Posted Sunday November 08, 2009, About: Grizzlies: Iverson hasn't asked for trade

Goodbye Allen, and you can take your overrated CAREER with you. Where are the ALLEN IVERSON GROUPIES today???? He is a chemistry-killer, a coach-killer and a player not the least bit interested in playing winning basketball. He only wants to play HIS WAY, the hell with everyone else. Now he can't even stick on MEMPHIS??? Like I've repeatedly said, if he's so great, so important and so skilled, why wouldn't an UPPER ECHELON team want his services? Wouldn't a talent like AI put a team over the top? Short answer..NO!! I've NEVER like his game, but I will tell you this much: you put him on Cleveland as the scoring punch off the bench, where he comes in with the second unit and just hoists shots, he could could score 15-20 a night and help Cleveland win a championship, too bad HE'S TOO FUGGIN CLUELESS AND STUPID to understand that he's not a starter anymore and that the sacrifice would win him a title.

Allen Iverson fans, go crawl back into obscurity, much like your overrated God.

Posted Tuesday October 20, 2009, About: Jackson: I'm going to leave Kobe alone

Memo to Stephen Jackson: you're a grown-ass man now, you no longer need to prove your manhood by threatening fights that are not going to happen. Kobe stopped thinking about you the minute he stepped off the court and away from you. You're basically the jealous ugly guy in every high school who has to be a bully because you don't have enough personality to overcome your ghoulish looks. And to Macadamien, grow up little man, you have NO IDEA as to who would beat who if they were to fight, I'm going to school you a little bit: the ones who chirp the most are usually the ones picking themselves up off the ground after a beating. Jackson talked trash because he KNEW Kobe wasn't going to respond, I highly doubt he would talk that way about a journeyman enforcer who has nothing to lose when punts gap-toothed Jackson into orbit. This is just another post used as a vehicle for those jealous of Kobe Bryant, I guess Stephen Jackson is their new hero.

Posted Sunday October 18, 2009, About: Weis defiant after Irish loss

As someone who hates Nebraska almost as much as Notre Dame, you have to be kidding me, right? Who talks about Nebraska? Nobody. Nebraska has fallen off the national radar with the ascension of Oklahoma and Texas over the last 10 years. Have they underachieved? Yes, but you don't get a daily "Bo Pellini is a genius" speech from a former Huskers coach like you get that senile dribble from Lou Holtz (who is always cleverly shot down by Mark May, which is my guilty pleasure). Don't last out Golden Domer and project the pain of your overrated team to the Huskers. They have choked a little this year, should have beat Virginia Tech and crapped the bed against Texas Tech, but don't put them on the same overhyped train where Notre Dame is currently a passenger. Enjoy that loss, although I'm sure you're used to it by now. At least Willingham had a signature win.

Posted Sunday October 18, 2009, About: Weis defiant after Irish loss

Just more rhetoric from an overrated fat blowhard. Charlie, for all your teams "fight" the only reason you were in even in it is because USC got bored with you and then they decided to help you down the field with stupid, needless penalties. I'll give you this Charlie, you know how to coach up Quarterbacks, you did a fine job with Brady Quinn and you're doing it again with Claussen, but that's just it, you're an overhyped, overrated COORDINATOR, you're not a head coach. It's ok fat Charlie, some guys can run a team, some guys can only run one side of the ball. You lost to an uninspired, undisciplined USC team with a freshman QB at home even after the officials gave you an extra play. Here's the good news: The Notre Dame hierachy and their numbnut fan base probably want another 10-year extension for you, because getting JUST this close to beating an actual elite program passes for success at Notre Dame nowadays.

Posted Monday September 14, 2009, About: Weis: Michigan officiating 'left a lot to be desired'

The overhyped coordinator loses another big game. What happened to that stout defense that shut down Nevada? You got exposed by a FRESHMAN QB, sad. Charlie is doing what he does, coaching up a QB. That, I will give him a credit for. He's a coordinator that did not deserve that job that was handed to him, that's what he'll always be. Charlie, go back to the NFL and show Brady Quinn and how to be a good QB. Leave the head coaching jobs to, well, head coaches. Then again, I'm sure ND will reward your mediocrity and inability to beat a quality opponent with another extension. Why not?

Posted Monday September 14, 2009, About: Manager: Pistons lied to Iverson

As always, it's never Allen Iverson's fault. This story gets older and older every time I hear it. Why would anyone tell Iverson he'd be leading a team that already had leaders? Despite what Nashty says, Allen Iverson gave NOTHING to Detroit but attitude lies and a penchant to quit when he doesn't get his way. One of the most overrated careers ever, what has Allen Iverson done when asked to be a part of a team and not have all the shots? Nothing. The facts speak for themselves, he left the Nuggets, they got expedentially better. When he wasn't on the floor for Detroit, they were a better team. Iverson fans love to the find a fall guy when their guy clearly is the problem. In Philly it was the organization and Larry Brown, in Denver it was George Karl and Carmelo, in Detroit it was Michael Curry. I'm nominating O.J. Mayo for the next episode of "Who wants to the blame for Allen Iverson's shortcomings"

Posted Wednesday May 27, 2009, About: Shaq challenges Lance Armstrong

I couldn't have said it better: The NBA machine is trying hard for Kobe vs. LeBron, aren't they? That was not a foul on LeBron and Sideshow Bob a.k.a. Varajeo committed a clear loose ball foul blocking Howard out of bounds on the last play. Mark my words: Orlando will not win another game in this series. Dwight Howard will get that 7th technical and miss game 6 in Orlando, come hell or high water. For all the coronation by ESPN and how they tried to make Cleveland seem like the 72 Lakers and 98 Bulls rolled into one, fact is they're not good enough, but then again neither were the Miami Heat when they somehow miraculously came back to beat the Mavericks.

Posted Wednesday May 27, 2009, About: Shaq challenges Lance Armstrong

Hey Shaq, how does it feel knowing there's a chance that the coach you threw under the bus (Van Gundy) along with one of many teammates you've thrown under the bus (Kobe) could meet in the Finals? You have to tweet to remain relevant, because you are no longer a game-changer, you're a fatty holding on to past glory.

Posted Friday May 01, 2009, About: Did Favre hire personal trainer?

I USED to be the biggest Brett Favre fan not related to him, I just can't understand why this guy won't go sit down somewhere. Can he still play? Yes. Can he still play well? No. Can he play well enough to lead a team? No.

Or this could be a plot by the government to divert attention away from Swine Flu and the economy.

Posted Friday April 03, 2009, About: Iverson: I'd rather retire than come off bench

Heater: seek some professional help. It's called "denial" most alcoholics and crack addicts struggle with it. Iverson is not a leader nor is he a great player anymore. You're probably one of those morons who voted him an all-star over the more-worthy players.

Posted Friday April 03, 2009, About: Iverson: I'd rather retire than come off bench

Oh yeah, a little side note: The Denver Nuggets hit 50 wins the earliest in a season in team history and currently hold the #3 seed. How good were they last year with Uzi Iverson hogging the ball? Umm....8th seed, yep. It's amazing what happens when you replace a loser (Iverson) with a winner (Billups)