Allen Iverson signs one year deal with 76ers; to play Monday

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Dust off the No. 3 jersey. Allen Iverson(notes) is with the 76ers again.

Team president Ed Stefanski announced the signing Wednesday on the team’s Web site. Iverson is expected to make his debut Monday at home against the Denver Nuggets.

“In light of the recent injury to Lou Williams, which will sideline him for close to eight weeks, we felt that Allen was the best available free agent guard to help us at this time,” Stefanski said in a release.

Williams, who averaged 17.4 points and 5.1 assists, broke his jaw in Philadelphia’s loss to Washington on Nov. 24.


Iverson, his agent and business manager met with Stefanski, coach Eddie Jordan and two other members of the organization Monday.

The 34-year-old Iverson announced his retirement last week after an ill-fated stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. The 10-time All-Star was NBA MVP in 2001 when he led the Sixers to the NBA finals.

“We had, at times, a rocky road with Allen Iverson, but we also had a fantastic run with Allen,” Peter Luukko, COO of Comcast-Spectacor, which owns the 76ers and Flyers, told The Associated Press. “The expectations with Allen have changed dramatically. We’re not looking for Allen to individually lead this team the way he has in the past.”

Iverson was offered a one-year, non-guaranteed contract Tuesday, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.

The Sixers would owe just under $650,000 if they guarantee his contract for the remainder of the season on Jan. 10. Stefanski plans to talk about Iverson’s return in a noon teleconference.

“The whole situation wasn’t about the contract and the money,” Iverson’s agent, Leon Rose, told The AP. “It was about the opportunity and the chance to come to Philadelphia.”

In 10 seasons with the Sixers, Iverson posted the highest scoring average in team history (28.1), was second on the points list (19,583) and holds the record for 3-pointers (877). He was a seven-time All-Star, won four scoring titles and two All-Star game MVPs.

The Sixers (5-13) have lost seven straight entering Wednesday night’s game at Oklahoma City and need Iverson to spark sagging ticket sales and their playoff chances.

Luukko said Iverson’s deal was “absolutely, strictly a basketball decision.”

This reconciliation was once thought foolish after their acrimonious split three years ago. Iverson’s last game with Philadelphia was Dec. 6, 2006 in Chicago. He refused to play the fourth quarter and was banished from the team two days later. He was eventually traded to Denver as part of the Andre Miller(notes) deal, and bounced to Detroit before landing in Memphis.

“Certainly, the way it left off, it’s surprising,” Luukko said.

Rose said he wasn’t surprised both sides put their bitter parting behind them.

“It was a good situation that made sense for them,” Rose said. “Allen has always had an affinity for the city of Philadelphia, the fans, the memories of playing here. He’s always talked about the opportunity to come back. Now is the time where it really makes sense for everybody.”

The 6-foot Iverson played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to 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 they are trying to develop.

He will likely start for the Sixers with Williams out. Iverson’s refusal to come off the bench ended his time in Detroit and Memphis on a sour note.

Iverson would get another look at his former teams after playing Denver. The Sixers, who have not won a playoff series since 2003, play at home Dec. 9 against Detroit.

Iverson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft, but his 10 turbulent seasons in Philadelphia were marred by his rants about practice, run-ins with former coach Larry Brown, arrests and a failed rap career.

Iverson often arrived late for practices or missed them entirely. In one infamous blowup at the end of the 2002 season, he repeated the word “practice” nearly 20 times during a rambling monologue.

“Times change, situations change,” Luukko said. “The best way was to make this a basketball decision. Don’t get personal with it.”

Iverson has a career average of 27 points in 889 games over 14 seasons. He is tied for the fifth-highest scoring average in NBA history and ranks third among active players.

Iverson has played in 71 playoff games and has the second-highest postseason scoring average (29.7 ppg) in NBA history, trailing only Michael Jordan (33.4 ppg).

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Good to see. I'm no AI fan, but it woulda been a shame for him to go out like that.

This is awesome. I hope he plays like the old AI too.

Like a few have said before, I just have never looked at AI the same since he left Philadelphia.

Originally posted by jrg:
Like a few have said before, I just have never looked at AI the same since he left Philadelphia.

well said...same here it just didn't feel right to see the marquee player from a team be traded to another team. welcome back to philly and please don't be a ball hog

I don't see this as anymore than a financial move for the Sixers - sell a few more seats, and a few more jerseys. Get ready for Allen Iverson night!

Originally posted by crzy:
This is awesome. I hope he plays like the old AI too.

In the process, sinking any chance Philly has at doing anything this year.

I wonder if he'll practice?

OH YES!!!! i can actually watch sixer games again and be excited...hasnt been the same since he left...well home iverson...may you end your career here

There goes any hope the 76ers had.

I don't know how you guys can watch Iverson. It like watching 5 players with broken chemistry play because one guy waits until the clock is winding down to shoot it or pass it to a guy who must rush his shot. His games are boring to watch with no flow.

Originally posted by Joecool:
There goes any hope the 76ers had.

I don't know how you guys can watch Iverson. It like watching 5 players with broken chemistry play because one guy waits until the clock is winding down to shoot it or pass it to a guy who must rush his shot. His games are boring to watch with no flow.

sad but true.. but for some reason i still love him as a player

Originally posted by jrg:
Like a few have said before, I just have never looked at AI the same since he left Philadelphia.

yuup. this is awesome, now i can play with the sixers in 2k

Originally posted by bayarealuv:

Originally posted by Joecool:
There goes any hope the 76ers had.

I don't know how you guys can watch Iverson. It like watching 5 players with broken chemistry play because one guy waits until the clock is winding down to shoot it or pass it to a guy who must rush his shot. His games are boring to watch with no flow.

sad but true.. but for some reason i still love him as a player

I agree. Volume shooter, but he's dazzling.

Originally posted by Joecool:
There goes any hope the 76ers had.

I don't know how you guys can watch Iverson. It like watching 5 players with broken chemistry play because one guy waits until the clock is winding down to shoot it or pass it to a guy who must rush his shot. His games are boring to watch with no flow.

When I'm watching my favorite team play, I enjoy ball movement and unselfish play.

When I'm watching other teams play, I like to watch individual players have success. So yes, I really enjoyed Iverson going 1 on 5 for a decade. It was incredible.

ESPN has this Percentage thing going on why Philly signed AI: Financial Move, Basketball Move, Desperation Move.

I'd say 65% Financial, 20% Desperation, 15% Basketball