Brown thinks Iverson isn’t done

Denver-October 1: Allen Iverson #3 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day at the Pepsi Center on October 1, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mondatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/ NBAE via Getty Images)

Bart Young

Larry Brown took Allan Iverson’s career father than it ever has been. It seemed an odd-couple marriage, but Mr. Play The Right Way coached this shoot-first-and-always point guard all the way to the NBA Finals.

And he doesn’t think Iverson is done, he told the Charlotte Observer.

“He needs basketball and I think our league needs to take care of guys who have made a contribution,” Brown said of Iverson. “Maybe he’ll never play again at the level I saw him play at, but I think he can still help somebody.”

Iverson could still help someone, maybe even a contender. He still has shades of that offensive game that was so brilliant, so tough and heartfelt. But he has to accept a role -- he is not option number one anymore. He could be the spark plug off the bench, that is what they wanted him to do in Memphis this year. And Detroit last year. And he couldn’t accept it.

But Brown is right, if he can change his mindset Iverson still has a place in the league.