He's baaaack! Allen Iverson's officially a Sixer again, and the team's banking on his talent to pull the Sixers out of slump and on his popularity, to boost ticket sales
The 76ers agreed Wednesday to a one-year deal with Iverson, 34. His second debut with the team will be Monday night at the Wachovia Center.
"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,” said 76ers President and GM Ed Stefanski.
The terms of deal weren't disclosed, but WIP's Howard Eskin said Iverson would be paid less than $700,000.
But, it seems like Iverson would immediately enter the starting lineup even if it wasn't guaranteed.
"I told him I would like for him to start, and that's where it sort of ended," said Coach Eddie Jordan. "And he was really like a kid at Christmas."
Iverson, the first overall pick by the Sixers in the 1996 NBA Draft, played 10-plus seasons in Philadelphia and ranks second in franchise history in scoring. In 1996-97, Iverson took home Rookie of the Year honors with the Sixers. He helped guide Philadelphia to the NBA Finals in 2001, earning the league’s Most Valuable Player award for that season in the process.
A 10-time All-Star and two-time All-Star Game MVP, Iverson has been named to a total of seven All-NBA teams.
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Iverson is averaging 27.0 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.21 steals in 41.4 minutes per game while shooting 42.5% from the floor, 31.3% from 3-point range and 78.0% from the foul line. He is currently tied for the fifth-highest scoring average in NBA history and ranks third among active players.
The Sixers traded Iverson to Denver along with Ivan McFarlin in exchange for Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two future first round picks on December 19, 2006. Then Iverson was traded to Detroit on November 3, 2008. He signed as a free agent with Memphis this past September, but parted ways with the Grizzlies after appearing in just three games.
You can get tickets for Monday's game against the Nuggets online, by calling 1-800-298-4200 or in person at the Wachovia Complex box office.
