Sixers appear ready to bring back Iverson (via FoxSports.com)
PHILADELPHIA – Allen Iverson not only may come out of retirement in a matter of days. But he also could very well return to the franchise where all of his glory began.
Numerous team sources confirmed on Friday that the 76ers’ brass has already talked — and talks will only escalate this weekend — about bringing Iverson back to Philadelphia. Possibly as early as next week.
“It’s being seriously considered,” one Sixers official said before his team lost to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. “We know the history. We know the ups and downs. But we’re also aware of what (Iverson) can do and that he’s needed here. We simply can’t just ignore the upside he’d bring. Not with our situation.”
As of Friday night, coach Eddie Jordan was on board with bringing Iverson back, according to sources. So were officials within the club’s hierarchy, along with the team’s executive adviser, Sonny Hill.
The rest of Jordan’s coaching staff is amenable to Iverson’s return, including assistant and former Sixer Aaron McKie, one of Iverson’s best friends, as well as assistant coach Randy Ayers — the former Sixers coach who had his share of run-ins with Iverson, ultimately lasting just 52 games before he was dismissed by former president and GM Billy King in 2003-04.
The Sixers say they are aware it will cost them less than $3 million to get Iverson — “possibly less than $2 million, according to another team source — and have every intention of acting on it, probably as early as Tuesday.
With the Sixers’ scheduled to play San Antonio on Sunday, then Dallas on Monday, sources said it’s entirely possible Jordan will fly from Dallas to Atlanta to meet with Iverson on Tuesday. That also happens to be the day Iverson is scheduled to meet with his former coach at Georgetown, John Thompson.
As far as the Sixers are concerned, it’s almost a no-brainer.
Entering Friday night, the Sixers were ranked 29th in league attendance, averaging 11,820 fans. Only the Memphis Grizzlies are worse.
Jordan is said to be incredibly frustrated with everything from Elton Brand’s work ethic to Andre Iguodala’s inability to make plays off the dribble. The one player he absolutely loves, guard Louie Williams, is out for eight weeks with a broken jaw.
“Eddie needs a playmaker,” another source said. “He needs an identity. Something to create some excitement.”
To add to the misery, the Sixers are 5-11, averaging just 97.6 points. Their only bona fide shooter is Jason Kapono. So there’s no question Iverson is appealing to the Sixers at the moment; even to team chairman Ed Snider, who screamed, “We’re gonna trade him,” before actually shipping Iverson (averaging 31.2 points per game at the time) to Denver in 2006.
The question remains, however, whether the Sixers would be appealing to Iverson.
“Scratch that,” one of Iverson’s confidants told me last night. “He’s interested.”
One thing’s for sure: If Iverson returns to Philadelphia, he will be a starter.
Team sources confirmed on Friday that Iverson would be a starter because Jordan had planned on starting Williams with rookie Jrue Holiday anyway, just to put some excitement and more ball-handlers into his Princeton-style offense. So even once Williams returns from injury, he’d be in the starting lineup with Iverson.
That means Iverson will return as a starter. He’ll be back in Philadelphia. And with the talent the Sixers already have on their roster, he could be the missing piece that propels them back to the playoffs.
Assuming, of course, the Sixers are willing to pull the trigger.
Under normal circumstances, considering the manner in which Iverson departed, the Sixers wouldn’t do this.
“But let’s face it: We’re very, very boring right now,” a team source said. “We have absolutely nothing to lose by bringing Iverson back. Nothing at all.”
Via FoxSports.com: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/10440372/Sixers-appear-ready-to-bring-back-Iverson
i hope so!!! i want Iverson to come back
Das Wassup! Even better than signing with the NY ‘Kicks’
A.I. all day bebe. They better not screw this up. Stephen, you better not be lyin’. Dont be making ish up for pulicity sake. I’m jus’ playin’ StephenA, we know you got the Philadelphia inside track. Fo-real though A.I. back as a Sixer. Bring it! Now THAT’S the Answer!
Das Wassup! Even better than signing with the NY ‘Kicks’
A.I. all day bebe. They better not screw this up. Stephen, you better not be lyin’. Dont be making ish up for pulicity sake. I’m jus’ playin’ StephenA, we know you got the Philadelphia inside track. Fo-real though A.I. back as a Sixer. Bring it! Now THAT’S the Answer!
Hey America! remember to check us out @ http://www.mindofdemus.com, where ~Your wOrld is oUrs~
Stephen A.
This is the shot A.I. has been waiting for. Hopefully he just stays humble and does what he needs to do.
I am actually doing a research paper about Social Networking and Sports Media Management and I am researching what u been through the past 2 years. I was looking at the headline that said the guard would be out 6-8. I then said to myself, they are going after Iverson. I look up @ the twitter site and u r breaking more news.
BIG FAN
let’s do this
[...] is official yet, but according to Stephen A. Smith, talks are heating up and a deal could be in place by the end of this weekend between A.I. and the [...]
sweet news doit doit
Seeing Iverson back in Philly would be amazing. Come back home, Allen.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT I have been praying for something like this for days. I don’t know if I am iverson’s biggest fan, but this guy has INSPIRED and helped me, with his toughness, honesty and entertaining style of play, overcome many obstacles in life. I saw him play here in Puerto Rico, but my dream has been to see him play in Philadelphia. As a kid I couldn’t afford to travel to the states to do so, but now I’m 31, and a criminal defense lawyer. If AI is back in Philadelphia, I will go there and see him. Michael Jackson died and I never got a chance to attend his concerts. To me Iverson is just as important. GOD PLEASE LET ME SEE AI IN PHILLY.
This would be the best news ever, if this happens. AI doesn’t deserve to go out like we was going to, and I’m happy some team actually realizes they can afford to have a 27ppg scorer on their team and win more games.
It’s even more perfect that the team is Philly. Please, make this happen, and let AI have his last moments to shine in the city that embraced him from the start!
A starter? How does that inspire the rest of the team and show unity? Iverson is set to make his debut with the same old “I am a franchise player” ego. Unless he gets his head straight it’s gonna be real uncomfy in the locker room. I appreciate Allen’s talent but his mindset could be his undoing.
Stephen A. — Just caught you and Ed Gordon on Our World and the subject of role models, image and the media. Not only is Allen making a splash with his latest antics but now we shall see more, perhaps, of the private side of golf great Tiger Woods.
When you spoke about the public’s impression of icons and endorsements and compartmentalization and self discipline you said it all. Although athletes and other public figures may be uncomfortable with being seen as role models if they want to (continue) to get paid it may behoove them to shut up and do whatever it is they do when they do it.
And how about doing it with just a touch of humility grace and class? Actions speak louder than all the spin the image professionals conjur up after the fact. Best to keep your stuff straight out the gate. Mamma said an ounce of … prevention.
[...] c’est d’ailleurs lui qui avait annoncé sa retraite) vient en effet de déclarer sur son blog que les Sixers envisageaient de faire revenir [...]
[...] According to Stephen A. Smith, the Philadelphia 76ers are talking internally about bringing back Allen Iverson. [...]
YES!!! I knew he was going to retire a 76er. Well, at least I had faith that he would. This is exactly what Philadelphia needs, because with the players we now we will never reach the playoffs. As a matter of fact, my high school team can beat the Sixers. I predict a sell out the first home game.
As a philadelphian, IVERSON NEEDS TO COME HOME!!!!! He hasn’t been right ever since he left. You can see it in his eyes. Im on board with the board! The ANSWER needs to come back.
Iverson may come out of retirement? He only went in retirement three days ago. This looks like a pathetic attempt by Iverson to get on a team that will give him more time on the floor. The best I can say about Iverson is his game on the court is better than it is off the court–but not by much.
A.I. is a selfish,self centered, immature person who only thinks of himself instead of what’s best for the team. He should be called “The Cancer” instead of “The Answer”. The 76ers are crazy if they take him back because he will destroy that team. Me Me Me. he should go overseas and play and be the one man show.
Fantastic news. To the nay-sayers, how quickly you forget what a spectacular player this guy was for the 76ers franchise. I’ve never seen anyone in any sport compete harder on game day than AI. The playoff runs (remember Phi/Tor?) were unforgettable. He deserves the chance to come in here and retire in a Sixer uniform. Great move by the franchise to bring him back.
Yes SAS, that’s the answer for the ANSWER, home at last.
Wonderful news if it happens.. ~fingers crossed Absolutely Perfect scenario– Iverson going home
Yeeeaaahh..I’m dumb hype that allen iverson is coming back..becuz I’m the biggest iverson & the biggest 76ers fan..even tho A.I got traded i still was goin for the sixers & routing for A.i 2 do his best with the niggets & the piston..even grizzly 2..but once A.I go back & team up with A.I part2..it’s gone feel like old tymes..i can’t wait 2 get that sixers jersey with #3 again.
I went and seen the Sixers a few weeks back in Chicago,the bulls are a decent team but come on the bulls are not the Lakers or the Celtics. The Sixers looked like absolute garbage! It would be a smart move the pull the triggers cause as of right now there toast.
Mike
I hope this happens…he should have never been traded in the first place. They should have fired Billy King instead.
I hope this is true. I Love Allen, he has the heart no matter what the Naysayers like bob shaffer in his response. Lets get to the negative response like bob.
If Allen is a one man show, what do you call Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. NBA facts. up to now, Kobe is right behind Allen in Shot Attempts in 14yrs of playing time at 18,470 plus whatever is added to date. Michael Jordan shot attempts are 24,537 in 14 seasons. AI shot attempts in 14yrs is at 19,616 plus whatever is added to date.
Also, Kobe has been accused of Rape etc.. and Michael with his recent Hall of Fame speech of him talking about nobody but himself. So bob, i guess if AI did what Kobe did, cheat on his wife and charged with rape, and Michael just talk about himself and nobody else. Allen would be the darling of the league, and you would be happy bob.
News flash bob, you and the rest of the haters of AI are just that. You hate the Truth when people are Truthful and for Real, not like the Crybabies like Kobe and Michael, who fortunately had players around them sometime in their careers as a supporting cast to win a championship.
The news of the NBA today is who is going to score 50 points or more. Will it be Kobe, Lebron, Carmello, etc…. Will you call them a one man show bob. No you won’t because you are a HYPOCRITE like the rest of the Haters of AI. Look up the the word bob, hypocrite and maybe you will realize the truth. Other players in the league are selfish and shooters also. So add them to your one man show analogy, or is your hate to much for you to change. Maybe you should go overseas and play the hater show.
I pray the Sixers and AI come back together.
GO SIXERS AND AI.
It’s about time. They should have done this a long time. Stephen A are your sources reliable?
Its Good To Hear Speculation That Iverson Might Come Back To Where He Started. I Believe That With The Help Of Iverson The Sixers Are A Playoff Team And He Will Bring An Instant Attendance Boost To The City Of Brotherly Love. It Will Be Interesting To See Iverson In The Playoffs Where He Belongs And Competing For Real
OHHH YES THATS WHATS UP;WE NEED TO BRING AI BACK W THE SIXERS;HES THE TEAM LEADER 4 THE SIXERS;N WEVE PLAYED ALOT BETTER WHEN AI WAS ON THE TEAM;HES THE PERSON WE NEED BACK TO HELP US BACK INTO WINNING THE GAMES;I HAVE 2-#3 JERSEYS OF HIS WHEN HE WAS PLAYING W THE SIXERS; N IAM STILL WEARING THEM EVERYTIME THE SIXERS PLAY; IAM A FAN OF HIS ALL THE WAY N THATS 1 REASON WHY I STARTED WATCHING THE SIXERS WHEN HE WAS ON THE TEAM; YESSSS AI COME BACK TO THE SIXERS FOR YA FANS; THE TEAM ISNT THE SAME W/OUT AI;WE WANT TO C U BACK PLAYING W/ THE SIXERS. MAKE ALL YA FANS HAPPY AGAIN; N WATCH HOW MANY PPL WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE GAMES AGAIN W/ AI PLAYING W /US; YALL C IT WILL BE FILLED N SOLD OUT;GOOO AI;;; YA FANS LOVE N MISS U;;;;;
Yeah !I know little bit, I play street, that dude inspire me most of what I Know. why did we trade the man? I’ve been with the Phily since after Jordan left, and stop when Iverson left. I’m back on of my dream is to meet that man who inspire me about basket. Since I don’t have enough money to travel with team, but when we come florida I’ll be with us. Thank you for bringing Iverson back.
This would be awesome!! Allen made the Sixers exciting. This is why they were my fave team for 10 seasons! That would be such a great look!!! I hope & pray that this comes to be. Philly is were it all started for AI & that’s where it should end. Hopefully, with a ring!!!! *fingers crossed & sending prayers up to the Most High*
Sixers need A. I. , the fans need A. I., the City needs
A. I., he’s is the Answer for all the needs. Come On home Iverson it hasn’t been the same without you. Philly will imbrace you once again.
@bob shaffer:
###
From SAS: You totally lost me when you said the man should be playng overseas. It’s one thing to hate on the brother, but to throw logic right out the window is uncalled for, bro. Just a thought.
With Iverson, Brand, and Igoudala the Sixers can make some noise this season and in the playoffs. They should have never traded him. You don’t treat an all time great this way….
its the right move-philly loves allen-top 5 stars to play in this city and you almost got us to the promised land-come back home dude!!
i think iverson is a great fit with philly and to be with iguodala and brand they could be a championship contender so i hope he can get a nba ring before he retire so iverson don’t retire still battle for your championship like gary payton and others who had to fight to get one.
Allen i am your biggest fan from Chicago i don’t want to see you retire without a championship please don’t go most of my homies at school thinks u are done but i don’t because i been a fan ever since i started watching basketball and thats been ever since i was about 9 years old but now i am 17 so please don’t quit because what i have learned from u is to never stop doing something that u love so please keep fighting for your prize the nba championship because u are a warrior homie i think u can still dominate and be the leading scorer in the league. last year pistons coach did not know what he was doing so now the whole league is not starting u so u just have to prove to them that u can still dominate. this is from yo biggest fan in the wrold Marcus Wood
If Allen “Bubbachuck” Iverson comes back 2 Philly, many fans including myself will welcome him with open arms. In his early days, he led the woeful Philadelphia 76ers 2 championship contention against the Lakers in 2001. He has done so much for Philly sports. If he wants 2 come back, him & his family are welcome 2 do so…if I have any say.
Sixers probaly will blow it….. They always do! The current sixers are SUPERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR boring. I can not watch a whole game. I go to the games to socialize. With AI there I will watch them. Come on sixers……. Get the answer back.
Freddy G
A.I back to philly is like a dream scenario for both the team and him. Philly is in need of a scoring playmaker able to get his own shot as well as to bring excitement back to a franchise thats never fully recovered since he’s left, From his standpoint he’ll be a starter again (which I beleive hes still a top 20 player in this league once he gets the minutes and the opportunity.) I think the lack of interest in iverson has as much to do about his perceived off court persona as his demand for minutes on court. You’d be foolish to believe that Iverson still cant get you at least 20 a night with minutes. Love him or hate him you gotta respect the man cause he definitely STILL GOT GAME!!!!
Allen Iverson is wonderful…..I am so excited to even see that the Sixers are considering him. He has contributed so much to the franchise and with injuries plaguing the sixers and the inconsistency of their star players Elton Brand and Andre Igudola, the Sixers are in dire need of HELP and why not start with someone who has single-handedly changed a lot in the history of the Sixers. I know things will not be the same as the past but atlest a new start will help. Allen Iversons pay should never be a factor unless it a million dollars or more he has made money that I believe is substantial to help him so he won’t be losing anything. SO, LET’s GO SIXERS…….A.I is back in Philly I am praying. lol
I hope Philly is going to be The Answer to AI. Heck, they’ve been Answers to each other for quite some time.
Now I hope that nothing of all of this is hype and that I’ll get to see Iverson in the near future (a couple of days) wearing a Sixers jersey, #3 to be accurate.
I see why you always clown the San Antonio Spurs, because they want to wait until after the all star brake to start taking the season seriously. this man is being disrespected. Look at kobe,Timmy, Kidd, Nash and Shaq. Larry brown was a mentor of greg popavich and right now i can’t figure why they don’t want Iverson. Pure madness!! They get rid of Bruce Bowen and keep the Tony Parker. The Sixers had there chance to place a supporting cast around AI and they didn’t he’s filled those stands long enough. time to get a championship.
I love that guy to death yo. The man has always been honest and no modest. sometimes you dont need to shut
up and accept your situation if you don’t like it. How the hell you want A.I. to come off the bench in Memphis (are you serious!!!!) or Detroit (come on). Go check the man resume and his stats only haters think he don’t pass the ball or don’t defend. AND CHUCK GONE SAY HE DIDNT MAKE DENVER OR DETROIT BETTER (I excepted more from him). He should understand A.I. situation better than anybody else. Kenny was right, today’s Denver team is much different than what A.I. was on.
ALL BEING SAID I’M HAPPY IS GOING BACK TO PHILLY AND HE WILL SHUT EVERYBODY UP COZ THERE, THE FANS SURELY LOVE HIM UNCONDITIONALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND I’M JUST A POOR INTERNATIONAL BIG BBALL FAN!!!!!!!
Marcus Wood,
I agree with you. The Detroit Pistons actually started this whole “Allen Iverson to come off the bench nonsense”. The Pistons gave up Chauncy Billups and added A.I., and did not know how to use him…so they came up with the idea to let him come off the bench. I am so surprised at Joe Dumars (Presudent and General Manager of the Pistons). I am happy for Chauncy, I really am. Allen, I would love for you to come back home…where you belong.
###
From SAS: You’re right. Detroit did mishandle things. You don’t bench A.I. OR RIP HAMILTON. You let second-year-guard-at-the-time, Rodney Stuckey, come off the bench, then everyone would’ve been happy. But now it’s time for A.I. to step
@Tony Majestic: I agree with you on that one.
@bob shaffer: Bob, you have NO idea what you’re talking about. You need your head examined. Take a mental picture. Sixers before Iverson? Basement. Sixers With Iverson. East Conference Champs. Sixers after Iverson? Ehem. He has never been selfish and I or you have NEVER heard ONE teammate complain about Iverson as a teammate. His teammates have nothing but love for him. Bob, have you played any organized sports in your LIFE??? All teams; ALL TEAMS center around a star player. He is the inspiration, the drive, the example of how to put in work. AI had some issues, but he left it all out on the floor every night. Bob, get a life. Talk soccer dude. leave basketball to us.
@JeannieB: JeannieB! He IS the franchise player. What is wrong with you people??? If you’re a Sixers fan like I am, this move is nothing but GOOD. I like IGGY, but he just have not fulfilled my appetite to watch the sixers since AI left. I like Lou Will and Green, but come on. Really? Really? This is not a team that can compete. With AI, He MIGHT pull them back into respectability. Get them some national network games again. IGGY can’t pull in a network game! Lou Will can’t. Hell, Elton Brand can’t. AI will have you on TNT and ESPN 18 times a year!
IVERSON, IGUDOLA, & BRAND… I LIKE IT…
Let’s make it happen! Iverson belongs in Philly; he started his career there and should retire there. Can you imagine AI running the break with Thad and Iggy on the wings? This team will be nasty with AI running the show. I’m not saying they’re contenders, but they will be much more exciting and entertaining to watch. Philly needs AI to inject some life into this withering franchise. Stephen A: love your podcast baby, keep the knowledge flowing!
###
From SAS: I plan too, bro. Thanks for the email. Couldn’t agree more.
I was hoping that the Celtics would pull the trigger and sign him.
###
From SAS: Nope! They don’t need him.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! As a faithful season ticket holder, I plead NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
###
From SAS: Okay! So what’s your alternative for this moribund franchise right now?
I’m listening.
Be careful what you wish and ask for. Going to philly can make or break iverson and put a stamp on his legacy. I would have preferred he walked off into the sunset like barry sanders or jim brown and without evening giving a statement for a couple yrs. If he goes to philly and they dont make the playoffs, all his critics will say I told you so. If he leads them to the playoff, the knock will be he is a good player but not lebron or kobe to lead them to the championship. So basically he is damned if he do and damned if he dont.If I was a owner or gm, which I plan to be, he would have had a team built to go to the championship this yr. Stephen A may not admit it but he knows all the trades or players I mentioned to him that were going to be good have panned out and the same for those who I said were overrated.
To be continued….lol
Iwould love to see him on a winner but the idea
of playing in philly is just crazy good.
@Marcus Wood: How soon we forget. Don’t blame this on the Detroit Pistons coach, Joe Dumars. Iverson abandoned the Pistons right before the playoffs because he was upset about coming off the bench. Joe Dumars saved Iverson face by agreeing that Iverson had a back injury that prohibited him from playing (ha!). The only mistake Joe Dumars made was to trade Rip Hamilton for Iverson. Iverson needs to learn how to get along with people and he needs to remember that he plays on a team and not by himself.
I meant to write: The only mistake Joe Dumars made was to trade Billups for Iverson.
this is to all of the coach’s in the NBA i don’t know why y’all treating Iverson this way y’all are acting like he can not score anymore and y’all are acting like he can not help win games all of y’all just went by last year Detroit pistons young and inexperience coach i did not understand Memphis Grizzlies by leaving him on the bench in overtime or just not starting him to help out the young team Rudy Gay and O.J Mayo and to help Zack Randolph they just went by the Detroit Pistons coach and thats why he got fired and that is why the whole team fell apart and Richard Hamilton wanted to leave the team because he did not know was he was doing I think Vinny Del Negro the coach of the chicago bulls would have started Rip and A.I. so to all the teams in the NBA y’all are missing out on a future hall of famer who can still give you 20 plus points and a victory and a good chance to go to the playoffs.
Yes! Yes! Yes! I second that motion! I have been unable to fully commit myself to the Sixers franchise since Iverson’s departure. Metaphorically speaking the
Iverson and Sixers relationship is like a marriage in need of counseling that was impulsively ended. Both parties had responsibility in the dirty split that could have been worked out if more maturity was exhibited. Like most marriages ending in divorce, the parties involved realize shortly after, its cheaper to keep her (or him in this case). Lets work it out for the sake of the kids, oops I mean fans!!! ;
Its about time! A.I should have never left. It would be wrong and disrespectful to publicly talk about this and not make it happen. It would be a smack in the face, like what the Knicks did. He would return to a better group of players and would have an MVP type of season, playing with a chip on his shoulder to prove he is still an All Star.
Can you imagine if the Sixers signed Josh Smith instead of Brand?
YES! YES!! YES!!! YES!!!! YES!!!!! YES!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!
NEED I SAY MORE! I CAN FINALLY JUSTIFY GETTING SIXERS TICKETS!!! THE ANSWER HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ANSWER!!!
@GailS: Hold up so if Joe Dumars was trying to help A.I. about that back injury joe dumars would have been fire that coach and started iverson. and u r telling me that u would start stuckey over the 10 time all star 2 time allstar game mvp 2001 season mvp and 4 time scoring champion and a future hall of famer man u crazy iverson can still do what he use to do and i would still start him because he is a leader and he is all about winning and he plays every game like its his last.
Igoudala could never be the face of the franchise. Nothing against him he just doesn’t have that personality. The real A.I. how ever is and always will be the face of the sixers in my mind. Igoudala is a great support player except when i verson was on the sixers Igoudala always seemed to shy away from the ball. Andre got some years behind him now as well as confidence so i think the 2 A.I.’s will be a beautiful thing to watch. Hopefully the front office steps up to the plate for oncce and do the right thing. I think Allen deserves a second chance here in philly. He layed his life on the line every single night, he left everything on the floor every night for this franchise. The way things were handled when they traded him away was total disrespect to the things he has done for the sixers. Iverson deserves one more shot here and who knows maybe they could make one more run for old time sake. What do you think STEPHEN A.?????
Perfect ending for AI and the perfect solution for the sixers both on the court and for thier attendance problems. He will have a better supporting cast than when he took them to the finals. I think that he would trust IGGY more and some of the other players and show the world that he is not as selfish as they think… when your that good, and your supporting cast don’t get buckets and you know you can… its no choice but to look selfish when you try to fill the void and carry the load. I also agree that bob should watch soccer and leave the basketball to us comment. Most of you haters listen to the media that highlight every negative surronding Iverson but never once metioned any of his charitable organizations… or how he looks out for his friends and family like no other player in the league. Just cause he prefers conrows and to hang with his “REAL” friends he grew up with no matter how hood they may be…. the man is real to himself and won’t change for you media groupies. DONT HATE HIM FOR BEING A REAL HUMAN BEING AND NOT ALLOWING THE NBA TO MAKE HIM THEIR PUPPET!
If Iverson signs with Philly you bet I am buying tickets to see him and the sixers win!!!
So true Ty. I just go to the game and socialize myself, or just go to see other marquis players from other teams.
Only if their contenders he should come back. When you take away the news articles and just look at what their trying to do. I see A.I. busting his hump in philly all over again with no help. I guess that will be OK just to get the respect back that he deserve but boy i’d like to see a ring along with him starting. Funny John Thompson going to see A.I. as if he will be controlling his decision. JT couldn’t control him in college how he think he is gonna influence him now?
My hope is A.I. go out with his pride. If he stays retired I am cool with it. If he comeback and starts with a contender and get that ring I am good with that too, but, don’t be just going anywhere just to play basketball. That makes him look desperate and pathetic. Teams should be calling him, not the other way around. As the season gets closer to playoffs he will have the right teams calling and begging. Patience is a virtue.
[...] a huge update / progress on the story of the Sixers having interest in signing Iverson which was first broken by Stephen A. Smith on his website over the weekend. Stephen A. was all over sports radio today here in Philly talking about Iverson’s possible [...]
also ray allen ain’t better either niether is whoever the spurs got starting at the 2 manui can come off the bench and he always hurt anyway if he went to the suns him and nash omg b omg in atlanta put marvin williams on the bench and ai at the 2 and joe johnson at the 3
I’m flying to Philly from Tennessee for the first game in throw-back Iverson gear if they bring him back. 76′ers are smoking if they don’t make this move.
There really must be something to “The City of Brotherly Love”
We all win if this goes down! The Sixers fill some seats and win some games, we get our Sixers back and I get LeaguePass early and remove that from the Christmas list, which allows me to get another gift in it’s place.
I am so tired of Allen being moved all over the league when he’s a Sixer and we want him back in Philly. Watch and see things turn around with him back!
And to all the uninformed who don’t get the sports/entertainment marriage, making comments like ‘desperation has set in’, well, if getting ‘A.I.’ is a form of desperation then bring it on. He’ll drop 25 a night and we’ll play .500. And .500 will get us the 8th spot in the East.
@JeannieB: I totally agree with you! While I am an Iverson fan and agree that he is probably the best scorer among little men the game has known, he has a lot of mental and emotional baggage as well. Why would this time around with the sixers be better? They actually have a strong nucleus, and are really only in need of a true point guard veteran, sharp shooter and overall defensive mentality. All of these are none of Iversons’ strengths. If he were a great “team player” he could’ve came off the bench for Miami, Orlando, Clippers, or even Boston REAL CONTENDERS! But he is not a team player as we saw with Denver (should’ve worked) and Detroit (could’ve worked this year!) So, instead he goes back to where he failed- in Philly, a 7th or 8th seeded team, tops! Coach Jordan is only looking for job security in ticket sales, and the potential cancer effect he has with teammates. These can easily take the focus off of his ability or inability to coach there. While I am glad to see him not retire he still has much to prove in my book.
@Mel: The Sixers are better off without Iverson. They have a better team overall. Iverson dribbles the air out of the ball on plays, doesn’t pass enough, shoots til his shots start to fall, has no defense or intangibles to make his teammates better. Willie Green will not get better, Speights won’t get better, Holiday won’t get better. And Iguadala and Brand will be ready to leave on the first train out out of town! This is about money and tv ratings. When was the last time anybody cared about the Sixers? Iverson = sellout crowds and finals nostalgia. That’s it, that’s all.
This is great for AI and Philly.AI gets to go home and play with a a great group of young talent.This year the sixers are going to be anywhere from 5-8 in the Eastern confrence.AI brings that hard nose style of play and his swag will help other players play consistent.Look out for Philly once they get AI they might go on a big roll.
Mr. Smith, I have always enjoyed your style of reporting throughout the years. And as a fledgling blogger myself, I could learn a lot from your writing. I must say, I really appreciate what you are doing for Mr. Iverson, in terms of clearly stating his position on matters, and divulging his future goals. In that, you have been very successful, as seen by the current developments in the past few days.
I don’t know how close pals you and Mr. Iverson are, but nowadays it must be a much closer friendship. This is a subject that I discuss with MY family and friends all the time. Speaking up for your homie like that really touched my heart.
To me, and others, it seemed like ALL the teams in the NBA turned their back on A.I. and forgot that this dude can really cut up a game. I guess that doesn’t matter now, cause the kid is back in Philly. Keep up the good work.
How you doing Mr Smith? Quick question
Besides the fact that the sixers have not very much to lose by signing A.I. Do you feel that maybe concentrating more on the development of there rookie J. Holiday would be more beneficial for the Sixers in the long term, or is addressing there issues they have now more important?
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From SAS: Now is more important. You can address this team in the offseason. For now, it’s about putting fannies in the seats and reminding the NBA that Philadelphia is one of the best basketball towns in America when it has someone to root for. The Sixers deserve credit for making this move. If Iverson screws this up, his career is over.
At the end of the day the NBA is about the fans without the fans buying merchandise and tickets a team doesn’t exist MEMPHIS CHEATED THEIR FANS POINT BLANK AND SIMPLE OK!!! everbody wants to talk about allen’s ego…let’s talk about some of these coach’s EGO’S (he made no effort to talk to A.I) and i don’t care what you say if i’m a coach and my job is on the line and my team is losing i’m breakn my neck to talk to someone with his talent it was apparent that Memphis’ coach was trying to prove something by not starting him c’mon honestly why wasn’t he starting he is still one of the best guards in the league so if a franchise thinks A.I. is going to come to their squad fill their seats and make them $ and come off the bench doing it they are dead wrong…GO HEAD PHILLY…YOU WON’T REGRET YOUR DECISION AND THE FANS IN PHILLY HAVE NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR MY MAN ALLEN EZAIL IVERSON!
@Ken Jordan: SORRY MEMPHIS CHEATED YOU…AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFULL SUPPORT
@Ish Khepri: UMMM YEAH KNOW YOUR STATS PLEASE…3RD IN ASSISTS IN FRANCHISE HISTORY ( BUT HE DOESN’T PASS THE BALL PLEASE) TOP FIVE IN SCORING AND STEALS…THOSE 3 STATS ALONE LET YOU KNOW WHY PHILLY WANTS HIM…THE ONLY THING IVERSON REMOTELY NEEDS TO WORK ON IS HIS DEFENSE AND THE WHOLE TEAM NEEDS TO WORK ON THAT FROM THE LOOKS OF IT…OH YEAH ANDHOW MANY AUTOGRAPHS TO SIGN B4 AND AFTER THE GAME CUZ PHILLY STILL AND ALWAYS WILL BELONG TO A.I…..QUIT HATIN….BUT I FORGOT YOU ONLY AQUIRE HATERS IF YOU ARE DOIN SOMETHING RIGHT OR SOMETHING THEY WISH THEY COULD DO BUT CAN’T EVEN DO IN THEIR WILDEST DREAMS…SO I RESTATE THAT LAST STATEMENT KEEP HATIN…”HI HATAZ”
philly going to the playoffs for sure
@iversoncrush: Last I checked the assist leaders of the 08′-09′ season was Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Steve Nash. Iverson isn’t even 4th or 5th. Let’s check out the 07′-08′ season, wow guess what? The names don’t change! Iverson is a one dimensional player. He’s only great at one thing- SCORING and not WINNING. You know the NBA suffers from true all- around ball players because of young jackasses such as yourself who know nothing about the game and champion overhyped ball players like Iverson and use dumb words like “Haterz” because they heard it in a wack ass rap song. Iverson has not been an assist leader in the past 10 seasons. TEN! So he wont’ make a difference in Philly this time around, and he’s only going back because he can start there. He’s an undersized two guard, who shrinks the backcourt, can’t make team plays, and has no DEFENSE. He’s gonna take shots away from Iguadala, Green, Young and Lou Williams when he returns, but make THEM work harder on the defensive end. And lastly, check your dumb stats (theres a little invention called the INTERNET!)and stop listening to garbage ass rap music; this might help you get your facts straight. Your name should be Iverson NUTSACK HOLDER instead, because a true Iverson fan would know those stats. Moreover, if Philly REALLY wanted him, he would’ve got a multi year offer, not the “hand me down” one year deal they give to bums. .. Me and you should take this show on the road, “The Genius and the Jackass (You)” I am so awesome!
@Ish Khepri: first of all you sound like the jackass calling people out of there name how juvenile (you sound like one of those whack rap songs you can’t stand) let me guess your against the hip hop culture all together…second of all i said the sixers franchise stats…so once again you stand corrected…but hey there is always somebody out there who has to stay negative…and yes honey you are awesome if you say so…so awesome that you have to give yourself props lol…yeah we should take this on the road so i can sell out tickets just like A.I. is going to do in philly…But hey it’s all love though…lovin that energy…cause if i don’t like a player as much as you seem to not like A.I. i sure in the hell am not going to waste my time or energy on them…Sincerely Iverson NUTSAK HOLDER…LMAO or Iversoncrush wutever you want to call me i got his back! God bless!
@iversoncrush: Don’t forget some tissue for the cry baby! WAAA! WAAA! Oh Yeah, that’s NUTSACK HOLDER with a “C”. By the way, he only had maybe two good assist record season. Ten years ago- TEN!
And I actually listen to real hip -hop. (i.e. Mos Def, Common, Talib, Lupe, De LA Soul ).
I am sooo AWESOME!
smooches!! Jackass!
@Ish Khepri: okay well atleast were on the same level with hip hop…and wasn’t gonna go there but i’ll be the jackass as long as you know your momma is one too…poof be gone foo!!
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From SAS: So you’re talking about people’s Momma’s now, huh? So sad.
Thanks Stephen A your are the MAN! I am soo Glad Ai is back.I am so sick of these hating ass ignorant people acting like Ai is the worst thing to happen to the NBA.Ai made everyone believe.many people i think are jealousy because he is barley 6ft and he has accomplished more than most players 2X his size.he is not a ball hog he has more assist than the ball hog kobe bryant lets not be hypocrites. Iverson is a great player! he is a scorer thats his strentgh.Chauncy was a better fit with Denver because he is a True point guard like Jason Kidd and john stockton. And detriot was a joke.richard hamilton sorry ass didnt do a danm thing When Ai left him and Stuckey were a no show.
I Beleive that AI Has 9 lives as far as his NBA Career is concerned And I am hoping for the sake of his legacy that he does not blow this. I am rooting for him.
Stephen A. Tell me this how much gas do you think that AI has in his tank? I know he is still a great player but he is no means a what these old folks say hear in the south a “Spring Chicken”
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From SAS: Remember, he was hurt for most of last season. Then he missed training camp before this season started. His legs are shot right now. Once he gets his legs from under him, he’ll be fine. Not what he use to be, but still more than enough to put points up on the board.
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