Iverson, 76ers discuss possible return
November 30, 2009
PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Allen Iverson(notes) and the Philadelphia 76ers have met to discussa possible return to the team.
Team president Ed Stefanski said in a statement that both parties remainnoncommittal about a final decision after a nearly two-hour meeting Monday inDallas. The 76ers are in town to play the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night.
Iverson, his agent and business manager met with Stefanski, coach EddieJordan and two other members of the organization during the first formal meetingbetween the Sixers and their former MVP.
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Stefanski said the Sixers “will continue to discuss internally whether ornot to pursue this course.”
The 10-time All-Star, who retired last week, is among the free-agentcandidates the Sixers are considering to replace injured point guard LouWilliams, who’s expected to miss eight weeks after jaw surgery.
Iverson announced his intention to retire last week after no other teamexpressed an interest is signing the four-time scoring champion. The 6-footIverson played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave ofabsence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreedto part ways.
The New York Knicks considered signing Iverson after he cleared waivers,before deciding he would take too much playing time from younger players theyare trying to develop.
Iverson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft, played 10-plus seasonswith the 76ers. He was traded to Denver in December 2006, and was then dealt toDetroit early last season.
The 34-year-old Iverson, who has never won an NBA championship, wouldn’t bereturning to a winner in Philadelphia. The Sixers have lost six straight gamesand are 13th in the Eastern Conference under first-year coach Eddie Jordan.
Williams’ injury has paved the way for rookie Jrue Holiday(notes), the 17th pick inthe draft, to start.
Iverson had a bitter parting with the Sixers in 2006, making this a trulysurprising reconciliation. But both parties are in various states ofdesperation. The Sixers need a guard on the roster and an electrifyingpersonality such as Iverson to jolt sagging ticket sales. Iverson wants to provehe’s not finished yet and can still play at his All-Star level.
Iverson was joined by longtime business manager Gary Moore and agent LeonRose in the meeting. Rose did not immediately return a call for comment.
Sixers assistant general manager Tony DiLeo and assistant coach Aaron McKie(notes),a former Iverson teammate, also attended the meeting.
Iverson led the Sixers to the NBA finals in 2001. The Sixers have not won aplayoff series since 2003.
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