Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Jones covered Iverson with 76ers

New acquisition might have more valet work ahead

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 28, 2007 at midnight

Text size  

More Denver Nuggets

More stories »

When Nuggets training camp starts next week, Bobby Jones could tell Allen Iverson, "I'm no longer a rookie."

Then again, that might not be the best strategy.

"They say you're still a rookie until the first game your second season," said Jones, who was a rookie last season with Philadelphia.

For the first few months of the season, one might say the forward served as Allen Iverson's personal valet.

Jones was assigned to wake up Iverson during training camp. He carried Iverson's bags. He did typical chores NBA rookies often perform for veterans.

But Iverson was traded to the Nuggets in December, leaving the 76ers without their superstar and Jones with fewer duties.

Jones, though, was dealt earlier this month to the Nuggets. So now he's wondering if Iverson might have some more work for him, at least until the regular season starts Oct. 31.

In the meantime, some of the chores Jones performed for Iverson last year with the 76ers.

Human alarm clock

The 76ers held training camp in Barcelona, Spain, six hours ahead of Eastern time. That meant it might be tough at times for Iverson, not always known for his punctuality, to get up in time for practice.

"I was assigned to wake him up for training camp and make sure he got to the bus," Jones said.

The first day of camp went fine. Jones woke up Iverson, and the guard arrived on time.

Then came the second day.

"I went to the bus, and coach Mo (Maurice Cheeks) looked at me and asks, 'Where's A.I.?,' " Jones said. "I didn't know that I was supposed to wake him up every day. I thought it was just the first day. So coach said, 'You better get him unless you want to get fined.' "

Between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., Jones went back to the hotel and roused the sluggish Iverson. They quickly got to the bus and nobody got fined. The rest of training camp went without a hitch. Thanks to his personal alarm clock, Iverson never was late.

Bodyguard duties

Before the 76ers flew to Spain, Iverson and star teammate Chris Webber wanted to pass the time in the airport by playing cards.

But there was one problem. The two were wary of being disturbed by autograph-seeking fans.

So the all-purpose Jones was summoned.

"When (Iverson) and C-Webb were playing cards, they didn't want to be bothered," Jones said. "So they told me to stand and watch over them and anybody that came up to them wanting an autograph, I had to be the bad guy and turn them away. I was the bodyguard."

Unbothered, Iverson and Webber played cards. Though there was no word about who won, Jones might have made out the best.

"They gave me $400," he said of his bodyguard pay. "That was for only 30 minutes."

Personal assistant

The 6-foot-7 Jones is known for being versatile on the court. He showed his versatility off it when it came to appeasing Iverson.

"Just normal stuff," Jones said. "Take his orders and bring him his food on game days. Carry his shoes after practice. Just little things. Nothing too extreme."

In exchange, Iverson gave the rookie some pointers on how to improve his game and how to survive in the NBA.

Overall, Jones said, indentured servitude with Iverson wasn't all that bad.

"Not a lot of people can say they were A.I.'s rookie," Jones said.

Now, he might have another month as Iverson's rookie.