Allen Iverson Retires UPDATE: Signs 1-year contract with 76ers - ANOTHA.com

**2pacalypse** · Posted 11-25-09

Without a clear-cut suitor emerging to sign him, All-Star guard Allen Iverson(notes) announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Iverson, who has played 14 seasons in the NBA, thought he was close to signing with the New York Knicks last week only to be told team officials had a change of heart.
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“I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association,” Iverson said in a statement released to Stephen A. Smith, who first announced Iverson’s decision on his personal web site. “I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn’t help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However, that is not the case.

I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play, and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level.

The question: Will Iverson stay retired?

League sources insist Iverson will still listen if a team is interested in signing him. For now, however, no offer appears imminent.

Iverson signed a one-year, $3 million contract to play for the Memphis Grizzlies this season, but played just three games and complained about his role off the bench. The Grizzlies granted him a leave of absence to attend to some personal matters, but two sides eventually reached agreement to part ways and Iverson was waived.

“Wonderful career. Right thing to do for his family,” Iverson’s manager, Gary Moore told Yahoo! Sports. “It’s no secret that Allen has been unfairly treated through all this. The fact is his family needs him more.”

Iverson had his greatest success in Philadelphia, where he took the Sixers to the NBA Finals in 2001 and was named MVP.

“The years in Philly were unforgettable,” Moore said. “He will never forget the crowd. …He’ll retire always being known as a Sixer.”

**AcE626** · Posted 11-25-09

You can hate on him all you want , but you cant deny his great talent
You also cant deny that at a certain time period , he was every kids idol

**TrU** · Posted 11-26-09

this is sad man.. A.i was beast. he should have never left philly to begin with. no body wants to be bothered with his attitude though.. thats got to hit him where it hurts. one of nba's greats and not a sole wants him

**Redd** · Posted 11-26-09

No they want him. His fuckin ego is to big to come off the bench like he should be doing. I was never a fan of AI but I will not deny he had talent. His ego has always been to big though. Glad teams stop putting up with his BS.

**JOEJT118** · Posted 11-26-09

I really wanted the Knicks to sign him, I felt we could get him and let Duhon go (he's in the last year of his contract anyway)
And Iverson could have gotten a lot of playing time, what was the risk anyway? Only like 3-4 guys from the current team this year are under contract for next year....(Gallinari, Chandler, Toney Douglas and Jordan Hill)

**papa_georgio27** · Posted 11-27-09

he just said that hes not retiring anymore

**2pacalypse** · Posted 11-27-09

Quote:

ESPN 980 Breaking News: ESPN 980, in Washington, D.C. & talk show host John Thompson has confirmed that Allen Iverson will not be retiring from the NBA. More tomorrow on the John Thompson Show starting at 2pm on ESPN 980, 92.7FM, 94.3FM, ESPN980.com & AudioNow on ANY phone at 202-621-2199...

maybe the Knicks should take him?
Knicks really need a player like Iverson

**JOEJT118** · Posted 11-28-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2pacalypse

maybe the Knicks should take him?
Knicks really need a player like Iverson

I don't see it happening unless Duhon, or Robinson or Hughes get seriously hurt. They already ruled it out cause they don't wanna mess up their chemistry. Now, were 3-12...what fucking chemistry are they talking about?

SIGN THE DAMN GUY!!!

**JOEJT118** · Posted 11-28-09

UPDATE:

Sixers appear ready to bring back Iverson (Stephen A. Smith

Quote:

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."

**shadyunit** · Posted 11-28-09

^^
That would be awesome he should of never left them to begin with

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