Iverson Out Again
Allen Iverson has again left the 76ers to deal with a family issue
Iverson Out Again
UPDATE:
Allen Iverson has left the 76ers again to deal with the ongoing illness of his daughter, Messiah, 4.
The Sixers are saying he is out ''indefinitely,'' beginning with Tuesday night's game against Golden State in Oakland. The Sixers learned of the situation Sunday.
A source familiar with the situations of Iverson and the Sixers said that, in this case, ''indefinitely,'' could possibly mean the remainder of the season.
The source also said, "The team is concerned about the distraction this could bring, but everyone understands it's most important for Allen to take care of his family.''
"He notified me before we got on the bus to fly here [to San Francisco, which the team did on Sunday]," coach Eddie Jordan said after the team practiced. "Before we left the hotel, he informed me in the morning that he needed to go back home and tend to family matters."
In a statement, Ed Stefanski, the Sixers' president/general manager, said: "At this time, we feel that it is in the best interest of the Sixers, Allen and his family that he be allowed to deal with a very serious issue that is far greater than the game of basketball."
Iverson has played in the Sixers’ last three games after returning from a five-game absence and missing the All-Star Game while his daughter was battling the illness.
Iverson has said that doctors in Atlanta, where the family lives, have been unable to determine exactly what is wrong with Messiah, the family's youngest child. Iverson told reporters that he was planning to bring his daughter to Children's Hospital in Philadelphia.
In Iverson's absence, it is likely that coach Eddie Jordan will use a starting backcourt of Jrue Holiday and Willie Green. This could also conceivably mean some minutes for Jodie Meeks, the guard acquired from Milwaukee at the trade deadline.
"The things he's done for this organization as far as basketball players is tremendous," Green said. "He took this team to the Finals in 2001. To me just a great overall person, character and teammate. It's sad to see that he won't be able to finish the trip with us ... To me he's a person that shows tremendous heart and determination, especially for his size. Someone that was willing to go through trials and tribulations on and off the floor. At the same time, the reason why people love him was because how honest he was."
Comments (62)
Iverson knows his career as an effective player is basically over, the Sixers stink, his daughter is sick and needs him to be there, and he has his contract guaranteed for the remainder of the year. A win-win situation for him to bow out as a Sixer at this point in time.— dasher
Comment removed.- Lose with him, lose without him.— ALJ
Hope your kid gets better soon AI- As are you Swing Away . . .— thewiseone
- Get well soon Messiah...A.I. should come back next year to be the Sickers new color guy on TV...games are bad enough trying to watch and then to listen to the most boring color guy in sports since Kent Tekulve is enough to make me puke! Don't even get me started on the post game show buffoons! Why the Sickers even have a pre or post game show is beyond me!!!— tralala
- this team is going nowhere- just play the young guys to see who can actually play and who cant.— phila215
- Tralala: I turn down the sound to avoid listening to the pre-game, post-game, and during the game Comcast and 76er shills, who would like us to think we are watching the reincarnation of the 1966-67 and 1982-83 Sixers. Great idea about Iverson; like Barkley he would tell it like it is (which is why he would never be hired).— chuckw
- And you expected anything different from Iverson...come on...— lcr-54
- Mark Zumoff is amazing, the best part of watching a sixers game.— gallen024
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- ICF-54 show some human decency. It seems like maybe his daughter is back in the hospital. Basketball is the last thing he's concerned with.— 4who4what
- What a joke. Yea how about bringing your child to C.H.O.P. (it's only the best in the world) and then you can play and see your child. But them you would have to work to collect you check. What a joke this team has become— silkcity19
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- Thank god the Phillies don't have their heads stuck in their arses or else this city would be looking at a 50+ year championship drought.— sbchris
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- Regardless of his kid's health, basketball seemed to be the last thing on his mind all season long. Should have cut him before the money became guaranteed.— JSaq
- Iverson's showing the maturity he lacked first time around - he has his priorities straight. Hope things work out well for his daughter.
- Please pray for Messiah Iverson! Obviously, most of you have never had an extremely sick child in your life. Family first! Basketball is the last thing that AI should be thinking about!!— Mariabr88
Just for the record: I like Zumoff well enough and miss the Mayor of Mixville. Salmi was perfectly adequate. Pickney is sometimes a little less than fine -- ie, sometimes he doesn't make much sense, or says the opposite of what I think he wants to say. Barkley would be sweet. Or what about Big Mac?— Leegles- First, and most importantly, best wishes to Allen and his daughter. Having a 4 year old who's sick is bad enough but not knowing what the problem is only adds to the worry. Secondly, it alleviates a problem for the Sixers if he's unable to return since they can play Meeks a lot more to find out if he's a player or not. This team is going nowhere this year.— Rick Wise Guy
- A.I. take care of your family. They need you more that basketball needs you. When you are done with basketball or basketball is done with you, your family will always be there. Take care of yours!!— cjdelite
i feel sorry about his daughter. the sixers still need to move on without the answer.....- I was thinking the same thing snow queen...Reading the posts on this site really made me realize how many scums and morons we share our fan base with...it has made me really embarassed to be a philly sports fan lately.— Hollerin187
- If his kid is that sick, he probably won't leave her bedside for more than meals and sleep, if he's not already sleeping in her room. When I was a pediatric resident, I took care of a kid whose dad was then a major college asst coach, later a coach, now an ESPN asst. He was there all the time. Believe me, playing hoops is the last thing on AI's radar. I don't care if you hate him for his approach to practice or his off-the-court lack of smarts his first time around here, you gotta say a prayer for him and kid. Period.— frinkie
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- Foxy, I know the truth hurts, but no need to hate me.— silkcity19
- AND THEN YOU WONDER WHY PEOPLE THINK PHILLY FANS ARE A-HOLES!!!! I hope none of you have to deal with a sick child and the Dr. don't know what's wrong... My prayers are with you and your family A.I.— DESIXERSFAN
- AI was the best think to happen to the sixers since Dr. J. For those of you without class...it shows.— ceocreates
- I really do feel for him as a father... but as a Sixers fan I smell a winning streak! Last time he was out they won five straight.— Papashells
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- CHOP is a great hospital they should transport her there ASAP.— wilmack88
- AI needs to do what is best for his family. Sixers need to do what's best for the team. Jrue and Willie in the backcourt, with Meeks coming off the bench, is as good as it gets - for now. Let's pray for Messiah, for a diagnosis and a good prognosis. As for the Sixers, their diagnosis is known as is the prognosis - better luck next year, and pray for a competent coach and management team.— pearl71959
- Hope AI's daughter gets well soon. I am glad the 76ers are giving him as much time as he needs to be with her. As for the 76ers, play Holiday and Meeks.— 76erfn
- Foxy....guys like silk rove these stories looking for something negative to write....no McNabb...too early for the Phillies.....Flyers on vacation.....what else is there to write about!— PhiEagle
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- I`m ashamed of Philly when I read some of these posts berating Iverson for being with his 4 year old daughter in her time of need. I`m just happy the majority of people are respectful enough to wish Iverson and his daughter the best. Good luck AI.— FaithInMcNabb
- FoxyWoman, you are absolutely right about the previous poster, but I don't think you should acknowledge people like them, they're just negative and life-less. On the much larger note, A.I. I Hope & Pray your little Daughter gets better. The Basketball Court is your sanctuary and you have given Us so much joy and never ever forget moments, you have "done your thing", if you go out now no-one can question you nor your contribution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— Anguilla Al
- @silkcity19 - You realize he DID bring his kid to the Children's Hospital, right? You should probably get your facts straight before sounding like a complete dillhole. @SNOWQUEEN - You couldn't have said it any better. BASKETBALL IS NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR FAMILY. Kobe, LeBron, and D-Wade would all be taking time off if their kids were ill, only getting worse, and doctors couldn't say what was wrong. Iverson has given enough to this city that he deserves all the time he needs with his baby daughter. Anyone that says anything besides "God bless you and your family, AI, and may your daughter get better ASAP" is a total clown. No wonder Philly fans get such a bad rap.— carrecchi
- If this is the end, AI can retire a Sixer which will be a sad but necessary day.— aerussel
- CHOP is listed as 4th..Childrens Hospital of Denver is best. This is about life not basketball silly Philly fans...— crohnkiller
- I knew this was a bad idear.— Shenkman3
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- Hope everything turns out well. There is nothing funny about a sick child. You're one of us. Best wishes.— Corey301
- well, this os a sad way to leave the game, but if it is to be,so be it.ALLEN IVERSON,will go down as one of the 76er greats.Family comes 1st.the 6ers have done what they could,by bringing him back,he gave it a go,but unfortuneatly,his daughter is very ill,and like any parent,he's gotta be there.i personally wish her the best,and hopes she gets well.i'm a fan of yours A.I,and wish u and the family all the best.u gave it all out there for your team,and this city,and we as fans should not forget your contributions here.good luck, to u man..........Terry-D, Clermont,Fla.— t_darb_56
- well, this os a sad way to leave the game, but if it is to be,so be it.ALLEN IVERSON,will go down as one of the 76er greats.Family comes 1st.the 6ers have done what they could,by bringing him back,he gave it a go,but unfortuneatly,his daughter is very ill,and like any parent,he's gotta be there.i personally wish her the best,and hopes she gets well.i'm a fan of yours A.I,and wish u and the family all the best.u gave it all out there for your team,and this city,and we as fans should not forget your contributions here.good luck, to u man..........Terry-D, Clermont,Fla.— t_darb_56
- well, this os a sad way to leave the game, but if it is to be,so be it.ALLEN IVERSON,will go down as one of the 76er greats.Family comes 1st.the 6ers have done what they could,by bringing him back,he gave it a go,but unfortuneatly,his daughter is very ill,and like any parent,he's gotta be there.i personally wish her the best,and hopes she gets well.i'm a fan of yours A.I,and wish u and the family all the best.u gave it all out there for your team,and this city,and we as fans should not forget your contributions here.good luck, to u man..........Terry-D, Clermont,Fla.— t_darb_56
- I am appalled. Alan Iverson has demonstrated more character as a human being than so many of these posters. If my child were that sick I would do everything in my power to be with her. When she was that age, there were in fact several days I was unable to go into my office due to my child's health. I thank G-d she wasn't as ill as it appears that Messiah may be! My prayers are with A.I. and his family in this most difficult of times. Basketball may be his job, but it's just a game. This is real life, folks! Live and let live!— DocB
- the only joke is you silkcity19, if your child was sick and in a hospital would you leave her/him to go work. I know I would leave my child's side if they where sick and no doctor knew what was wrong. If my employer didn't like, then they can fire me. Silk you need to look in the mirror and check your integrity....— midwesteagle
- Wow...AI's daughter is in a "serious" condition and most post about good riddance to him...you negadelphian's deserve hell— WDG99
- I really hope this isn't the end of A.I's career. He has done a very good job adjusting to his new role as a player. He was one of the greatest to ever put on a jersey. I wish his daughter well. I respect a man who puts the fame to the side to deal with family and a very serious situation. I pray that his daughter gets well and that A.I is stil in the NBA next season.— Infamouskruse12
- Awesome words by Willie Green.— shamers82
- FIRST OF ALL, GOD BLESS A.I. AND HIS FAMILY. iF IT WERE MY DAUGHTER i WOULD DO THE SAME. nOTHING CAN DISTRACT YOUR MORE THAN KNOWING YOUR CHILD IS SICK. hAVEN'T PEOPLE EVER HEARD OF FMLA. A.I will always be the heart of the Sixers!— ty1on2006
- get well soon messiah. Long Live The Answer. i think more blame should be put on what the nba game has turned into- it's much of the reason why the 6rs are sooo unwatchable.— drumminge6
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- Messiah, i don't pray but my hopes are high for you and your daddy. AI was the best thing to happened to sixers basketball since thump and bump! hope he comes back and retires as a sixer.— dankPhilly
- agreed with foxywoman. the man's daughter is sick and if you've been reading and admiring AI since 1996, you know how family oriented he is. he is where he needs to be— evelyn268
- Best wishes to AI and fam. Happy Belated Birthday to the Good Doctor, Julius Erving.— Kareem7272
All the best to AI, his daughter, and family. Their welfare is more important than the remainder of the Sixers season.— pedge- I hope AI's daughter recovers from her illness.It must be life threatening.So unkind remarks about it is simply childish.Without AI the 76ers have a better chance of losing.Which i am all for.
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Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
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