Iverson reaches out to Magic Johnson for advice LOS ANGELES - With his name involved in numerous trade rumors, Allen Iverson went on the offensive a week and a half ago. In an effort to save his career as a 76er, he placed a call to former Los Angeles Lakers great Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Johnson, surrounded by reporters before yesterday's Game 7 between the Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference finals, confirmed that he had spoken to Iverson several times over the last 10 days. Iverson, Johnson said, was deeply concerned about his future in Philadelphia. Johnson added that he planned to set up a meeting between Iverson, Sixers coach Larry Brown, and team president Pat Croce. Johnson said he had advised Iverson to keep his mouth shut until he met with the Sixers' brass. "When he reached out to me, I said, 'OK, what's up?' " Johnson explained. "And he just explained to me that, 'I want you to talk to me. You've been there. You've done it.' And I told him that it's simple. He has to be more a part of the team. He needs to sit down with Larry. Sit down with Pat. "He was upset because he doesn't want to be traded. He likes the guys. You know, young guys . . . he doesn't understand that he's more than just the star, he has to become a leader. That's what I'm explaining to him. The star has to set the example for everybody. And I think now he's starting to understand that going to practice, getting there on time, getting paid the highest salary, that's what goes along with being a star. That's the responsibility. "When I was playing, I was the first one to practice and the last one to leave," Johnson continued. "A lot of times, when we weren't practicing hard, I would slam the ball down and say, 'Let's start all over.' You have to take that upon yourself, because the guys are looking at you. If you're coming in late, the guys are like, 'What's up with that?' I've been talking to Allen about that." Iverson apparently called Johnson before taking a vacation to Miami's South Beach last week. From there, he returned to his home in Virginia Beach, Va., and he was expected in Washington, D.C., this weekend. Members of Iverson's inner circle describe the Sixers' leading scorer as being extremely upset over the trade rumors. He is even more upset with Brown, they say, but he has been careful not to say anything too divisive because he wants to stay a Sixer. Instead, he called Johnson. In the past, Iverson has declared his willingness to listen to Isiah Thomas, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Johnson. He idolizes all of them because they have won NBA championships. At least one member of the Sixers' organization could not have been happier to hear that Iverson was proving true to his word. "You're kidding," Croce said when told of the conversations with Johnson. "Cool! I love it! I'm glad that he's concerned enough that that he wants to communicate. If he feels like he needs to bring someone in the mix, I have no problem with that. I think I have a great enough relationship with Allen to do so myself, but if he feels differently, so what? I don't care. Anyone out there that has Allen's ear, who can help teach him how to take it to the next level and be a leader, I'm all for it. Magic Johnson? He's got four stars on his shoulders." "I think [Iverson] has a lot of potential to really do some great things," Johnson said. "It's just that now he has to figure out how to take his team to the next level. A lot of our stars are in the same predicament, not just him. So it's a problem. But Allen doesn't have the No. 1-selling jersey for nothing. My own 18-year-old son idolizes Allen. But responsibility comes with that. "Guys are not understanding that," Johnson continued. "Not just Allen, but a lot of them. Responsibility comes with being a star. So we'll have to see. I'm just hoping everything works out for everybody."		Author Stephen A. Smith   Source Inquirer   Return to Articles