By A.Sherrod Blakely
CSNNE.com
Having returned to the United States to have a growth removed from his right leg, there is a school of thought that says Allen Iverson may not return to play for Besiktas Cola in the Turkish league.
Yahoo! Sports reporter Adrian Wojnarowski had a Tweet earlier this week indicating that Besiktas attempted -- and failed -- to sign a potential replacement for him in Sundiata Gaines. They have since moved on and will sign former Celtics guard Oliver Lafayette.
Even if Iverson were to return, Besiktas is starting to realize what all 30 NBA teams realized this summer.
Iverson's game hasn't just slowed down.
It's come to a damn near screeching halt.
The idea that he might not return to Besiktas isn't all that surprising.
Boston Celtics
When he was traded from Denver to Detroit in 2008, he got hurt after struggling on the floor.
Near the end of the season, both sides decided that he would be best away from the team.
Iverson resurfaced in Memphis, and that didn't end any better.
The best thing for Iverson right now is figure out what his life after basketball will consist of.
The more you watch him, the more clear it becomes that his days as pro basketball player are numbered.
Perk technically OK for now
Only four games into his return to the lineup, and Kendrick Perkins has already picked up two technical fouls.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers isn't worried, because Perkins has a 43-game cushion.
While the technicals may not tally up to where he'll miss games, technicals in games by nature tend to make players try to be more under control emotionally.
Perkins?
Under control emotionally?
I don't like the way that guy plays, and neither will the Celtics.
Just like the rest of the Celtics had to work through the ''respect for the game'' edict handed down by the league this season, so does Perkins.
He'll get better.
Because if he doesn't, he won't be nearly as effective as he should be -- and the Celtics will suffer.
Rondo in a slump
We saw Rondo have back-to-back games with single-digit assists totals, and a third straight seemed in order after a one-assist total in Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Then halftime came, and Rondo was never the same as he ripped off 15 second-half assists.
Here's the thing about Rondo.
As much as we talk about him being the catalyst for this team, so much of his play is dictated by the play of those around him.
And we're not just talking about making shots, either.
Rondo is at his best when he has the ball in his hands, in transition.
The problem of late has been the Celtics big men either 1) not getting enough rebounds or 2) getting rebounds but not getting the ball in Rondo's hands quick enough.
That results in a lot of walking the ball up against set defenses, which, to some degree, takes a little bit away from what he does best.
Every now and then, the Celtics need a reminder of sorts as to what they do well, and how Rondo sets the tone for stellar play.
They got away from that a little bit at Portland, and a little bit more in Friday's loss at Phoenix.
We'll see if the win over the Lakers, and the way it came about with Rondo doing what Rondo does best, will be enough of a wake-up call for them moving forward.
A. Sherrod Blakely can be reached atsblakely@comcastsportsnet.com.Follow Sherrod on Twitter at http:twitter.comsherrodbcsn