Allen Iverson to play for Be?ikta? Cola Turka.

For the past month, I’ve had a Google news alert on Allen Iverson. Most links I found have been to Turkish sites. I’ve been visiting these links, and copying and pasting results to Google translator. The results often look like they were penned by someone who had declared war on English. Finally a few days ago, I found this translation:

“Besiktas Cola Turka with the world-famous star Allen Iverson was agreed between the final roughness of the ad revenue. American basketball player is expected to arrive in Istanbul tomorrow

Besiktas Turkish sports history, the biggest transfer ever realize no longer a matter of time … Sports management, about a month and the world is in pursuit of ever regarded as one of the biggest stars of the Allen Iverson had agreed on everything. Black-and-white club accept the offer of $ 1.5 million a year in which the only rub with Iverson, the star basketball player, in Turkey, wanted a share of advertising revenues in Be?ikta?. Translating it back exactly an American basketball player, the team management is in this direction by identifying the application in the world gave up insistence. The contract agreed upon by the Iverson’?n Turka’n?n Besiktas Cola and tomorrow is expected to come to Istanbul said.”

Grammar shrammer be blowed. The meaning is clear. AI is going to Turkey. The final negotiations and formalities are being done, the terms have improved to 4 million $ net. The contract is 2 years long, with an opt out clause after a year. AI is expected to play on November 6. This does bring him closer, geographically, to India. That is comforting to a fan, in a small moral victory sort of way. Let’s hope he can resurrect his career. The impact of the transfer of a future First ballot Hall of Fame player playing in Europe cannot be measured by any scale. Even if AI has lost a step by NBA standards, he should still be comfortable in European league. Previously AI had turned down offers to play in China for more money in favour of better competition in Europe, let’s hope he proves that he still has plenty of gas in his tank.