Instant Replay: A tale of two Philly point guards

A popular deodorant advertisement once claimed, “first impressions, last.”

If you put weight in that slogan, then suffice to say Philadelphia 76ers point guard Michael Carter-Williams made as perfect an introduction as any rookie can ever hope for. The 11th overall pick began his NBA career with a flourish against the defending champions Miami Heat, as he intercepted a pass that led to a two-handed fast-break slam on the other end, all within the first 24 seconds of his professional career.



Brimming with adrenaline and confidence from that coast-to-coast action, Carter-Williams went on to have a debut of historical proportions, filling the box score with 22 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds, and nine steals. A closer look at those numbers helps give context and meaning.

The degree of difficulty in racking up a high number of assists is raised manifold considering his three best teammates are Spencer Hawes, Evan Turner, and Thaddeus Young. To pick the pocket of the opposing team nine times demands hyperactive hand-eye coordination against a slew of veteran Heat playmakers.

But perhaps the most impressive statistic was that Carter-Williams only committed a single turnover in 36 minutes of action, a measure of composure under the bright lights for the former Syracuse Orange. To put that into perspective, Derrick Rose committed five turnovers facing the Heat the previous night and had one on the very first possession of the game.

[Related: Hawes leads late charge, 76ers stun Heat 114-110]

Oh, and did I mention the Sixers won, 114-110? For Carter-Williams, achieving a near quadruple-double is a feat in itself, let alone against the reigning two-time defending champions. There are fluke games, and then there are legacy-building ones. Somehow, what just transpired here is a smattering of both.

Doesn’t Carter-Williams’ opening act remind you of another Philadelphia point guard who came into the league seventeen years ago? Allen Iverson was the quintessential “first impressions” player. His demeanor transcended the game, from the cornrows to the tattoos, from the unflappable swagger to the immortal “practice” tirade. His baggy jeans and backwards cap were a reflection of the changing culture as he defied the pillars of authority unlike anyone before him.

In spite of his rebellious front, Iverson won over the masses by playing the role of the underdog. At 6’0”, he was a David who went up against multitudes of Goliaths and he served as an inspiration for diminutive guards who wanted a legitimate shot at making it to the biggest stage of basketball.

Like Carter-Williams, Iverson made a strong statement in his first NBA game, pouring 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting to go with six assists. While it came in a 111-103 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Iverson's play promised that he was going to be a force to be reckoned with, and true to form, he is now regarded as a crossover connoisseur and one of the greatest pound-for-pound players of all time.

[Related: Saying goodbye - Allen Iverson retires from the NBA]

It only seems fitting that Iverson officially announced his retirement mere hours before Carter-Williams proclaimed his arrival to the basketball scene. Clearly, Iverson has been battling personal demons that ranged from the psychological (“I can still play!”) to the financial (Mired in debt despite earning $200 million).



As his voice cracked with defiance in the press conference, Iverson recognized how he was fortunate enough to be drafted in the league back in 1996, despite ultimately coming up short of an elusive title.

What pained Iverson is that he never got to leave the game on his own terms, as a disenchanted separation with Philadelphia in 2010 saw him out of the NBA for good. It took him three more years and international stints to come to grips that he is no longer the elite athlete and first option that he used to be in his prime.

Now, before we prematurely crown the Sixers as the Eastern Conference Champions, a little reality check. Regression to the mean will eventually come into play and the Sixers will gravitate (it sounds much better than tank) towards the 16 wins they are projected to reach by oddsmakers. This motley of Sixers will definitely stink the joint in Wells Fargo Center and hover near the cellar by the time February rolls around.

That part is well-known.

But if Carter-Williams displays shades of Iverson’s prolific nature in his rookie season, then the Sixers may have found a cornerstone piece even before the 2014 draft class arrives.

That is, if you believe in the value of first impressions. - AMD, GMA News