76% thrilled

According to the voting feature on the NBC site, that's the percentage of locals who are thrilled at the news. Mighty nice coincidence, really.

Haters will, of course, think he's shedding crocodile tears, and mock him for showing any emotion at all... but why hate, really? You've got a guy who is said to be a bad influence. So why do fellow players sing his praises? You've got a guy who is said to be be a full-on casino creature and carouser. So why is he still married, even after the domestic situation of a few years ago? You've got a guy who is said to be only concerned about his own numbers. So why does he take more punishment than any short guard in the history of the game, and make his living drawing fouls?

Finally, you've got a guy that the purists can't stand, who is going to retard the development of young talent, who is just a sideshow. Fine. And how much of the Sixers have you watched this year without him? And will you watch on Monday night when he comes back, and would you be surprised if he tears the Nuggets a new one and leads the laundry to a win?

As is always the case with AI, the wholes does not equal the sum of the parts. Never has, never will. And before I wrap this up, one last question:

Is it so impossible, really, to imagine a situation in which AI plays for a few years at a reasonable level, helps his teammates, and moves on to a next stage where he's happy and an asset?

OK, I lied. One more.

And if it's not possible to imagine that, doesn't that say more about you than him?