He's here; Now what
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He's here; Now what
Since Sunday, those following the 76ers, and maybe just NBA basketball fans, have followed the saga of bringing Allen Iverson back to the Sixers. Now, as of this morning when the Sixers released the news, we know he's agreed to return. The details are: pro-rated of the $1.3 minimum, non-guaranteed, becomes guaranteed on Jan. 10, he will make his "return debut" on Monday against the Denver Nuggets.
Get your tickets quickly, because for the first time in a while, a Sixers game is hot.
Now the "Will he return?" saga is over and thus begins the "How will this work?" saga.
I'm here in Oklahoma City, preparing to head over to Sixers shootaround at the Ford Center. In about an hour, I'll post exactly what the Sixers have to say about this move, including head coach Eddie Jordan, as well as videos. If you want the insta, in-the-minute updates, follow on Twitter, where things are posted as they happen: Deep Sixer. If you want to chat about this move, what might happen, why it happened, how it might work, tune in for the Live Chat at 2 p.m. Eastern: Sixers Chat.
Just got back from the Ford Center. And posted a video of Eddie Jordan talking about Iverson, the possibility of him starting, and the changes in the offense (Jordan said it wouldn't be hard to teach Iverson the "iso" plays, meaning the clear-out, Iverson-to-the-hoop plays.) You can find that video in the Deep Sixer video player below on the right.
Here are some quotes from Jordan: "I told him the rules we had in place and Ed [Stefanski] laid down the conditions as far as rules that everybody abides by. And I told the team, we all have flexibility in our personalities, some guys do this, some guys do that, some guys listen to their music loud, some softly, some walk the straight and narrow, some guys waver. But as long as you're in the border of that road we’re going, it’s fine. But once you break that border, there are fines to be paid and consequences."
Maybe, at least for today, we should just revel in knowing one of the best players in franchise history is returning. But I'm assuming there are some die-hard Sixers fans out there who want to know how this might fit in. Here are some gathered insights:
1.) The only way this deal was going to go down was as non-guaranteed because the Sixers want to keep control of the situaiton. This is smart because now they're getting the best available player without strapping themselves to any of the potential drama (just being real here). Check out the quote from Jordan about laying down conditions.
2.) Right now, rookie Jrue Holiday is starting, but that won't last (of course!). He's going to be a very, very good player, but he won't be seeing the kind of minutes he's been seeing since Lou Williams broke his jaw. Look for him to play about 15 minutes a game now. Does that stall his progress or is playing 30 minutes a game too much right now for a 19 year old? That's debatable. As long as he keeps those 15 minutes and gets in every game, he should be making progress without carrying an overwhelming burden.
Jordan said Holiday was a "tough-minded" kid who will be OK, he'll be fine. Jordan said he hasn't yet talked to Holiday about it.
3.) Iguodala. Hmmmm. My vibe is he's OK with this move to bring Iverson back, if only because it's been such a rough start to this season and obviously they need something, they're almost dull to the losing at this point.
For the most part, I think you're going to hear today from a team that's excited Allen Iverson is back, because they've fallen to irrelevant in this city -- and in the NBA -- and for as long as this lasts, they're back on the map.
4.) As for the on-court play, the read-and-react offense of Eddie Jordan, I think that's obviously going to take a backseat for now. It's too late for Iverson to learn the offense in-depth and, really, do we want him to? At this point, he's back as a Sixer, the team is 5-13, I think the idea is to put the ball in his hands and see what he can still do.
Jordan said this was the Sixers "seizing the moment."
Don't forget the Live Chat at 2 p.m.
--Kate
I just hope Iggy doesn't decide to take a backseat to AI, like he did in the old days. Admittedly, I didn't like this deal, but if Brand, Iggy and AI get somewhat close to their potential...that could mean good things.— chriszak- Who cares how Andre Iguodala feels about the signing of the real A.I. Iguodala is the most overrated player in the NBA and the contract that Stephanski signed him to will haunt the Sixers for years.— bigtbone
- In Iggy, Brand, and Iverson this is the first time since the DR J days that they have 3 allstar caliber players. I expect good things. Forget the Princeton offense. Just let these guys ball.— Alltabb
i've been saying it since he's left, and my argument has obviously lost steam as he went from team to team. but --you toss an athlete of his skillset with the likes of a rejuvenated Brand and a focused Iguadala, coupled with the explosiveness of a Young and a Speights...toss in some great role players like Lou, Dru, Capono, Willie...jeez, even Dalembert is now officially for 304 alley oops a game!— theJOJ- Iguodala is not overrated. Stats wise, he's a poor man's Lebron James. The problem is, he's not a leader. He's a Scottie Pippen type player, same goes for Brand. Iverson isn't a leader, but he's definitely not a follower. At 5-13 and having lost 7 straight, who cares? Eddie Jordan is a lousy coach. I'd rather see some interesting basketball instead of 20 foot jumpers early in the shot clock on every possession.— psv
- Have not liked this move from the beginning, but since the overwhelming majority of posters favored it, let the games begin and let the chips fall where they may. Comcast Spectacor, who I predict will sell this team within the next year, will be happy at the increased buzz and attendance and at least the Sixers were smart in bringing him in on a non-guaranteed contract. Thus, when Williams returns, since pro athletes should not lose their starting position because of injury, they can cut Iverson loose, as they could not start both of them because of their diminutive sizes and defensive shortcomings. Frankly, having watched the other A.I. embarrass himself with turnovers, sloppy passes, inaccurate shots, erratic defense, and total inability to break down a defender, the old A.I., even if unable to play at the level he once enjoyed, cannot be any worst. The good news: Jordan and his misguided Princeton offense are history, at least for this season and the fraud that Stefanski perpetrated with that hire is now revealed for all the world to see. How much worst would Cheeks or Dileo have fared with this club? Another positive: teams may need to double-team Iverson, which they did not need to do with the overrated Iguodala, thus opening the inside for Brand, who when he plays of late is performing up to his contract. At the very least, this should be interesting!— chuckw
- we still do not make the playoffs...speights and williams being lost for two months and iguodala's inability to shoot coupled with brand's inability to post up had us jostling for a top 5 pick next year...now we have to hope we get luck at 13 or 14 when watching the draft lottery from seacaucus. Short-term ticket sales would not be nearly as beneficial as a long term winner would bring...holliday, williams, speights, smith, and young...the hope that brand, dalembert, and iggy find new homes...and a top 5 pick give me a reason to watch next year. If a 26 year old iverson in his prime couldn't share, what makes me think a bitter 34 year old in decline can take us to the top??? Is Billy King back??— tkohl
- we still do not make the playoffs...speights and williams being lost for two months and iguodala's inability to shoot coupled with brand's inability to post up had us jostling for a top 5 pick next year...now we have to hope we get luck at 13 or 14 when watching the draft lottery from seacaucus. Short-term ticket sales would not be nearly as beneficial as a long term winner would bring...holliday, williams, speights, smith, and young...the hope that brand, dalembert, and iggy find new homes...and a top 5 pick give me a reason to watch next year. If a 26 year old iverson in his prime couldn't share, what makes me think a bitter 34 year old in decline can take us to the top??? Is Billy King back??— tkohl
- So glad he's back...— TempleKev
Comment removed.- makes no sense. the whole NBA passed on him cause he is washed up. the NBA sucks— pieman
- He is a thug, pure and simple! And if anyone thinks otherwise then they should try being informed instead of opinionated.— STEPHEN1988
- Comment removed.
- a franchise in reverse— mijou6
- Whether A.I. is here or not, the Sixers are playing for a lottery pick.— ALJ
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
