Iverson returning to Sixers

By Bud L. Ellis

The Answer is The Answer is coming home.

Allen Iverson, who built his All-Star career running point for the Philadelphia 76ers, signed a one-year deal with his former team on Wednesday, a few days after announcing his retirement from the NBA.

Iverson, who played in three games for Memphis before leaving the Grizzlies, will help fill the void left when Louis Williams broke his jaw. Williams is expected to miss up to eight weeks with the injury.

Enter Iverson, who stands No. 2 in franchise history in scoring, earned 10 All-Star berths and the 2001 MVP award, and led Philly to the 2001 NBA Finals.

Iverson is expected to make his Philly return Monday night at home against Denver, the first game of a five-game homestand for the struggling 76ers.

Iverson has put up Hall of Fame worthy numbers in his career. He was traded from Philly to Denver in 2006. He also played with Detroit before joining Memphis this offseason.

It’s a blast from the past for the Sixers and for Iverson, who Philly took with the first overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. During his time with the 76ers, Iverson became one of the most dynamic players in the NBA.

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Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 11:13 pm by bud

Tags: Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets, Detriot Pistons, Louis Williams, Memphis Grizzlies, philadelphia 76ers

Iverson, Sixers talking; decision expected Wednesday

By Bud L. Ellis

The Answer will give his answer to his longtime team Wednesday.

Allen Iverson met with the Philadelphia 76ers Monday, the recently retired guard looking to potentially return with the team where he built his stellar NBA career.

After a short stint coming off the bench with the Memphis Grizzlies, Iverson announced his retirement last week. But Iverson, who led the 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals and won the league’s MVP award in the process, has been talking to Philly about a return to the hardwood.

The 76ers are struggling, having lost 13 of 18 games so far this season, and could use Iverson to boost sagging interest in the team. Iverson, who many believe still wants to play, could use the 76ers to make a little extra money and get more playing time than he did in Memphis, a team for which he appeared in just three games.

There is no doubt Iverson isn’t the player he once was, the player who earned 10 trips to the NBA All-Star game and who was one of the top players in the league. But if he has the desire to keep playing, Philly seems the logical stop for The Answer.

According to published reports, Iverson is expected to decide whether or not to return Wednesday.

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 11:17 pm by bud

Tags: Allen Iverson, Memphis Grizzlies, National Basketball Association, philadelphia 76ers