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."
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
Comment removed.- 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
- Comment removed.
- 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
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.
