Thursday, November 11, 2010

Allen Iverson Arrives in Turkey

The 35-year old former NBA superstar arrived to a hero's welcome in Turkey. After a 14-season NBA career (stats) what gas will he still have in the tank? Any which way that country is right to be proud to land him (see the video of his welcome at the airport below). It's as big a move on an NBA player; something to rival how the U.S. snagged David Beckham to help the MLS. Iverson will wear #4 for Beşiktaş in the 16-team TBL: Turkish Basketball League (otherwise known as the Turkiye Basketbol Ligleri. Besiktas has not won a TBL title since 1975. Besiktas plays in Instanbul (not Constantinople).

Now there's lots of interesting side stories. Like, isn't The Answer all washed up? Does anyone really care? And then business ones like: Besiktas has a Turkish corporate sponsor, Ulker. The full name of the team is actually "Besiktas Cola Turka" named after the soda introduced in Turkey in 2003 to compete with Coca-Cola.

Anyway, the TBL season is already under way. Should we be looking for Iverson highlights soon? Let's be serious. Yes.