AI possibly back in Philly?

[elcheato]

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.”

 

[The Young One]

I want him back..but i dont wanna risk chemistry. But with lou out 8 weeks we may need him. I guess Im for it.

 

[Mexi]

what chemistry?
The sixers are 5-11

 

[The Young One]

<Censored> off...

 

[Bagwell™]

Lol

Honestly, I think Philadelphia would be the best place for Iverson to finish off his career.

 

[.GR]

Why not...

 

[playmaker7]

Could possibly revitalize his career also. I say go. It'd be a very well perceived move

 

[dez]

Its only right AI retires a Sixer, the organization owes it to him IMO

 

[yezzir]

<Censored> off...

lmao. it'd deff be sick to see him retire as a 76er though.

 

[RipCity32]

That would be cool to see him back in a 76ers uniform. Even if the uniforms suck now.

 

[footballplaya52]

come to toronto

 

[Sabbath]

I think this will make 76ers a playoff contender as long a sIverson uses all his weapons (Brand, Iggy, etc.) and passes the ball well. U know he can play defense but if Brand can become anywhere near the force he once was the 76ers become a huge playoff threat, specially if Iverson can drop 22-23 a game.

 

[Pugz]

Go for it, would be good for both sides.

 

[Mexi]

up to Stefanski and Jordan. Chairman ok'd it and said it's up to them

edit:

Eddie Jordan said Iverson meeting was intriguing, he liked what he heard and AI would bring an aggressive scoring mentality..

sounds like its about to happen

 

[stavi]

It is good move, like some once said they have nothing to lose. I mean they could play small ball if they wanted to when Williams comes back.

 

[uwp]

come to toronto

lol

 

[The Young One]

PHILADELPHIA — Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers are close to a reunion.

A person with knowledge of the contract talks says the Sixers offered a one-year, non-guaranteed contract to Iverson on Tuesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract talks had not been made public.

Iverson, his agent and business manager met with team president Ed Stefanski, coach Eddie Jordan and two other members of the organization Monday during the first formal meeting between the Sixers and their former MVP.

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.

Let's get it..AI back in philly!

 

[Mexi]

Monday vs the Nuggets is his debut

they offered him a 1 year non-guarantee contract.
that means they can cut him any time before some time in january i think without paying him after he's cut/ if he stays on the roster after that date, his contract becomes guaranteed

 

[playmaker7]

I say they'll get something done and AI will be loved once again

 

[cruzg24]

Iverson has turned into the worst kind of basketball con man now. He knows what people want to hear, and he delivers it on cue. He couldn’t last the full season in Detroit, and he couldn’t last a full week in Memphis. Now, Philadelphia meets with him, hears it and coach Eddie Jordan marveled of Iverson, “He’s a charming individual.”