ADAW - Exoneration

Like it or not, when you bring up Antonio Daniels, the first thing that most people think of is Allen Iverson.  AI's sick crossover made highlight reels for weeks afterward.

But let's take a look at the end of the clip, do you notice how AD seems to be searching out a ref for a foul?  Obviously he knows that even Dick Bavetta isn't going to call a foul on Iverson for breaking ankles.  He isn't trying to save face, especially knowing that he'd sort of get revenge on him later (in much the same way that scoring 39 after having 60 dropped on you can be considered "revenge") so why the protest from Daniels?  Let's take a look.

The play starts with Iverson up top with the ball being covered by Daniels, after a few seconds of hesitation, AI attacks the rim.  Naturally, Daniels gives him a little room (it Allen Iverson after all) but as he starts to step up Iverson keeps coming.  Then, about six seconds into the clip this happens:

That's right, he pushed him.  HE PUSHED HIM!  Iverson, one of the greatest penetrators of all-time (insert "that's what she said" joke) had to resort to a cheap shove to get around his man.  Not that we haven't seen future Hall of Famers do that before.  Need more proof?  Look at this:

If Daniels had been thrown off balance by Iverson's move he would've fallen straight back, instead he falls to the side that Iverson pushed him towards.

As a result of this shocking revelation, I hereby exonerate Antonio Daniels of the charge of being shook by Allen Iverson, leaving AD's record squeaky-clean.  Case dismissed.