Gary Payton: I'm the Reason for Allen Iverson's Infamous 'Practice' Rant

Описание: Original link:    • The Story Behind Allen Iverson's 'Practice...  

With Iverson's retirement looming Gary Payton shares the story and a priceless impression.

The Story Behind Iverson's 'Practice' Rant

When Allen Iverson was talking about practice, Gary Payton was behind the scenes pulling strings.

Alright, that's not entirely true, but he may still be responsible for Iverson's infamous rant.

Following Tzvi Twersky of Slam's report that Iverson was set to officially announce his retirement, Payton took ownership of his potential role in those blathering proceedings during an episode of Fox Sports Live.

Iverson had asked Payton how he stayed in such great shape and was always able to remain on the court, and Payton's response paved the way for one of the most absurd rants in NBA history.

"I told him for real 'My coach, George Karl, didn't let me practice,' " he recalled. "That was it. I said 'You have to stop practicing.' "

The rest is history. Literally.

verson took Payton's words as a license to bemoan the importance of practice. To Iverson, it was a trivial, unnecessary part of his job description. I mean come on, we're talking about practice. Not a game. Practice. Who cares?

A lot of people, hence our continued fascination with his long-winded soliloquy more than 10 years later.

Once Iverson began to sense that he wasn't preaching to the choir from that soapbox of his, I'm surprised he didn't reveal the "source" behind his beliefs. Throwing Payton under the proverbial bus would have deflected some of the blame.

"Gary Payton doesn't have to practice, so why should I?" he could have asked.

Imagine the repercussions. Iverson and Payton would've forever been known as the anti-practice brigade, destroying one team's right to prepare for upcoming games at a time.

Fortunately for Payton, things didn't turn out that way. There was no name dropping of any kind, so he mercifully avoided the backlash Iverson himself incurred.

Not that Payton supported Iverson's musings—he didn't. Upon hearing the soundbite the Philadelphia 76ers point guard graciously bestowed upon the world, Payton was borderline traumatized.

"Oh no, not this," he said of his reaction to Iverson's verbal tirade. "Don't say it like that, Allen. Don't do it like that."

Perhaps Iverson wouldn't have gone off on reporters and the ridiculous standard he was being held to if we weren't talking about practice. But we were, and so he did. And we apparently have Payton to thank for that.