Allen Iverson retires, unretires, then signs with Sixers

You are right, Andrew, but my point was what Iverson has done led to the point where no team wants his service, at least not in the way Iverson wants to contribute. Given that he's not the same AI who led Phillies to the finals, he should learn to accept what he is given at the moment, and not cry over playing time or at lessor role he's given. It seems to me, the best possible choice for him was to accept being 6th man at Detroit and prepare for off-season to get more attention from quality teams. But what he did was typical me-first attitude once again, and wanted a team built around him.

But that's assuming that he's not capable of being a starter in the NBA. Look at his numbers in his last full season with Denver, the last time he was playing in a system where he fit in and was able to play the game his way. I would say he's still capable of playing at that level given the opportunity, whether or not that team will be successful is another matter entirely but if he's still that good, why should he resign himself to a more limited role off the bench? To win a championship - possibly, there's more than one contender and no guarantees - but I'm sure the experience would be tainted by his professional dissatisfaction. If he wants to prove that he can still play at a high level and has the opportunity, why not? Why settle for less, especially when there's no guarantee that it'll pay off in terms of being a part of a championship team?

And again, it comes down to the contenders wanting (or indeed, needing) him. Looking at the teams you mentioned - the Spurs, the Lakers, the Celtics, the Magic - they don't need Iverson and he doesn't fit their system. He's a player who does damage with the ball in his hands and none of those teams really need another player like that. Even putting attitude aside, even assuming he'd be willing to come off the bench for them and play less minutes, even with all his talent they just don't need him. If he can't latch on with a contender, better to look for somewhere where he can try to prove he's still got it rather than warm the bench for a team like the Grizzlies.

I see your point, though I don't think that it was or is the best course of action for him. Retiring like this just isn't what I wanted to see and it seemed to me, him being on the contender, chasing after the ring sounded like the best choice for someone in his shoes. I for one wanted to see Iverson playing a major role as Grizzly so didn't really blame his decision even though it turned out to be like this, so him still being stubborn is just typical Iverson I like to watch. Anyways, I'd really like to see him come back and prove people wrong by playing good, so whereever he ends up, best wishes.

But that's overlooking one very important fact, which is that none of the contenders have shown any interest in him (in any role or capacity, at least openly), so it's not really an option for him.

a bit of an update on the situation...

The 76ers met with free-agent guard Allen Iverson for two hours on Monday in Dallas.

article ---> http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... h_iverson/

hope they sign him and give him the opportunity to shine again...

Seems they're a bit hesitant to make the move. They're 5-13, they're hardly going to be screwing up a good thing; I say go for it.

Sixers, Iverson get closer to reunion: http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/ ... o_reunion/

The seats at PHI are half empty these days. Bringing Iverson won't hurt the team financially. Hope to see it happen as he's running out of teams to sign with.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AgrsJSQ8mNSjRYkqPaFNAECLvLYF?slug=ap-76ers-iverson&prov=ap&type=lgns

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Allen Iverson(notes) 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.

CSNPhilly.com first reported the offer.

It's just the question of time i think.

I'd like it. AI would start and when Williams comes back, he won't be satisfied about playing time/starting. At least then he can retire as a Sixer.

Depends how well AI plays. I could see him continuing to start over Williams when the latter returns.

Sixers offered Iverson a 1-year deal: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4704151

I Already posted it.

oopss.. hehe...

This is going to be interesting. I won't be surprised if AI comes and starts and scores 25 ppg.

I would be.

I'd be surprised if he scores 20 ppg and shoots over 40%.

I wouldn't be too surprised actually. The Sixers lost their two best players to injury, leaving their top scoring threats as Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand's corpse.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-76ers-iversonsigned&prov=ap&type=lgns

SIGNED

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Allen Iverson(notes) is rejoining the Philadelphia 76ers.

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

Stefanski says in a news release that the team felt “Allen was the best available free agent guard to help” after the injury to Lou Williams, who will miss up to eight weeks.

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

The 37-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

wow, I am happy to see him on the 76ers again, and I want it to work out for him


...just, amazed at how it all happened

im very excited Welcome back A.I.

give him this one last shot: if he blows this...time to retire for good in my opinion. You cant retire just because you dont like your role on your team...I bet the grizz are pissed because they probably could've gotten something out of this deal had iverson manned up and stayed on the roster

I'm happy that he's back with Philly again, hopefully things will work out for him. Seriously speaking though, the solution to his problem is to reduce his ego a bit and accept whatever the team wants him to do, not what he wants to do.

I guess he announced retirement earlier just because he was being sensitive due to a lack of attention and because of the fact that he cant accept being a substitute.

Welcome back A.I.

yup, Welcome back
hopefully he'll be able to do what he does best..score, score, score, and win games single handedly

And everybody is happy.....

This is really a great news and deal

Probably his last shot at redemption but if this is the end, at least he can retire a Sixer. I don't think the Sixers have anything to lose at this point.

You cant retire just because you dont like your role on your team

I know where you're coming from but in all fairness, why not? He wasn't happy with the way his career was going and it seemed no one was interested in signing him after the offer from the Knicks fell through, so he had a bit of a knee-jerk reaction and called it a career a little prematurely. Think about it; if you had a job you disliked, should you have to stay on or would you give your notice? Professional athletes don't have that luxury (though they do have several others most of us do not) but they do have alternatives in the form of buy-outs, release by mutual agreement and yes, retirement.

I bet the grizz are pissed because they probably could've gotten something out of this deal had iverson manned up and stayed on the roster

I disagree, it has very little to do with Iverson "manning up". Again, you would not expect anyone with a "normal" job to stay at their job when they're dissatisfied with it so I'm not sure why we expect professional athletes to shut off their feelings and do something none of us would feel is fair in our own professional lives. Furthermore, the Grizzlies didn't have to release AI, they could've pursued trade options but they chose to part ways with him. Chances are they wouldn't have gotten anything substantial in return (if at all), so if I'm the Grizzlies I don't feel miffed, I just feel relieved to be rid of the headache and move on.