Who says you can't go home again? After announcing his intentions to retire on Wednesday, Allen Iverson may return to where he spent the first decade of his NBA career by returning to the 76ers. At least, that's the scuttlebutt coming from Stephen A. Smith early Saturday morning, who reports mutual interest between both sides. Smith was the first to report Iverson's intentions to retire, publishing a statement from Iverson to his fans on his personal blog on Wednesday afternoon. But this time, instead of Iverson's camp having Smith's ear, an unidentified source within the 76ers has floated the possibility of A.I.'s Philly homecoming.
"We know the history. We know the ups and downs," the source said, according to Smith. "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."
Their situation, of course, is extremely dire; the Sixers fell to 5-11 on Friday night, tied with the Pistons for 12th in the Eastern Conference and above only the miserable Knicks and Nets.
Iverson has been adamant about the fact that he still believes he can start in the NBA, and the Sixers wouldn't dare bring him back without intending to acquiesce to his demands. Of course, considering Andre Miller left via free agency this past summer and Louis Williams could miss two months with a broken jaw, the Sixers just so happen to have a need for a playmaking guard in their starting lineup.
Would Iverson's starting job be in jeopardy once Williams returns? Not so, according to Smith:
In fact, Smith also reports that Jordan his staff have already signed off Iverson's signing -- assuming, of course, the front office decides to roll the dice.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.
The 76ers are in a unique position to fit Iverson into their lineup given their roster flexibility -- if a starting spot in the backcourt is needed, Andre Iguodala can seamlessly slide from shooting guard to small forward, perhaps his more natural position, while Thaddeus Young can alternate between small and power forward, where he poses a greater mismatch in the first place. And, push come to shove, Elton Brand could shift from power forward to center, which might be where he best fits considering he's had trouble keeping up with the rest of the offense.
Roster makeup aside, the 76ers quite simply have nothing to lose; due to injury (in addition to losing Williams, Marreese Speights was lost for months after tearing his MCL) and inconsistency, the franchise has become a complete afterthought, not only in the Eastern Conference standings but also among the hometown fans, featuring the second-worst home attendance in the league. Bringing back Iverson would help the team in the short term while also providing the Hall of Fame guard an opportunity for proper closure.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
No, NO, NO< NO, NYET, NON (what language does the 76rs understand) this gang banger was a terror at the stadium, his gang members were drunk disorderly, disrespectful and did as they pleased. he is a ganster and i don't give a damn how much he can shoot and miss or make a ball in a hole.
Dont' do it, I want to have a little class in one of our sports. why don't you hire TO and OT to come play also.
What's the difference. We have a vick why not A.I.?
Somehow I knew that was going to happen.......Brett Favre all over again........He BETTER say, "NO". ........When you retire, you should be mandated to take 1 year off, before your allowed to COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Allen Iverson Announced Intention to Retire, did not say I retire
A.I. would defineately bring the fans back. I for one would welcome him back with open arms.We need his scoring touch and his Philly appeal. The Sixers have always manage to supply the league with quality guards...Bring back A.I. and see how the fans will respond....with a sold out arena!
How about LA ? Orlando got
Jayson Williams 1 year after
he was retired and he is doing
very well with Orlando, so ?
Iverson returning to Philly would be a great fit and an even better platform to show he can still play... in true Rocky style. I don't see how this could go wrong. 6ers aren't going anywhere this year without him, they may as well sell some tickets and at least try to get better. I think the addition of Iverson would be a smart move
as long as Princess AI is starting, she'll be no troulbe...unless of course Jordan thinks Practice is a good idea...ah well, let one more team have their shot at trying to make something useful out of AI...it's perfect that it is the sixers redux...maybe he can retire in Philly and be "the answer" again for them...right now, the only thing he's the answer to is the question "who makes teams better by leaving them"
that he's a scoring leader avg. 29.7 makes no difference...did he 'lead' a team to a ring with all his scoring....uhm nope...and yes sixers did make it to the ring round with him and they won one....one....one game...in the series...
well, as a former resident of Philly, (folsom and ridley both) while AI was on top...I never liked his game then and like it even less now...one little guy with lots of heart but a huuuuuge ego...
I honestly never equated Phily with wanting to ever bring Iverson back since they sat him and traded him right before he was like 40 points away from becoming the 76's all time leading scorer. I thought that it was an ugly divorce whithe both player and team losing as an end result. To bring AI back now after jettisoning him off a few years back to me does not makes sense or does it just make dollars.
When you look at what they are doing now... Why not??? can't get any worse...
the 6'ers could use any help they can get right now. on the court and in the stands
"THE ANSWER" WASN'T THE ANSWER THE FIRST TIME IN PHILLY AND THEY WASTED YEARS TRYING TO MOLD A TEAM AROUND HIM.
THE FACT IS, HE'S A HAS-BEEN WHO'S HAD HIS DAY.
PHILLY RIGHT NOW NEEDS TO CLEAN HOUSE, NOT INVITE TROUBLE IN THE FORM OF IVERSON....
This would be perfect........He would start instead of Holiday and right now the Sixers Suk....It's a Win - Win situation. Welcome back AI.
If he wasn't black , they would show him more respect, what does the nba stand for any damn how....I'm goin to tell O to straighten them out....
Iverson(again),Vick, and T.O. Philadelphia, city of opportunity for thugs, dog torturers, and self adorers. I'm a Philly fan and hate what is happening with our teams. 76ers will be an afterthought for Philly fans through the next decade. What will bringing Iverson back do for the team? Win a few more games and get you a crappier lottery pick? I say tank the season and vie with Knicks and Nets for first overall pick.
I always thought that AI was a selfish player who's only concern was scoring and not doing a thing to help his team mates. his "practice" rant was disrespectful to his coach and teamates. having said all that i think that the state the sixers are in now would be the perfect place for him to go. at least for the rest of the season. it would give his fans in philly the only reason to come to the games. no one is going to the games now. a team has to make expenses.
How did somebody put all of that graffit on his arm without him noticing it? A human being is a terrible thing to vandalize in this way.
How did somebody put all of that graffiti on his arm without him noticing it? A human being is a terrible thing to vandalize in this way.
In the short run,it will bring more fans to the arena. It will not help the development of their young players. Can Eddie Jordan get AI to share the ball,probably not.Will Iverson willingly accept less minutes once Williams is back and to give Jrue Holliday a chance to develop, who knows but his track record indicates no. If AI truly wants a chance at a ring, he will sign a deal for the remainder of the season. Then he must showcase a team first playing style to the rest of the league,cause no distraction become a free agent at the end of the season and sign with a contender. Can he do that? That's the question.
Can Vick shoot from the Top of the Key? Bring him back to Philly. They are not going anywhere anyway. Maybe they will put a few more butts in the EMPTY seats.