Iverson officially done with the Sixers
The Sixers announced today that Allen Iverson will not be returning to the team for the rest of the season, perhaps ending his career.
Iverson officially done with the Sixers
Bob Cooney
The Sixers made it official this morning that guard Allen Iverson will not be returning to the team this season.
Iverson missed five games before the All-Star break to be with his 4-year-old daughter, Messiah, who is suffering from an undisclosed illness. After coming back for a three-game stint, Iverson left again before the team embarked on a west coast swing and has not returned, missing the past four games.
It would appear that Iverson's career has come to an end, as his game, as well as his desire to keep playing it, appears to have diminished significantly as the season went on.
In a statement, president and general manager Ed Stefanski said: "After discussing the situation with Allen, we have come to the conclusion that he will not return to the Sixers for the remainder of the season, as he no longer wishes to be a distraction to the organization and teammates that he loves very deeply. It has been very difficult for Allen and the team to maintain any consistency as he tries to balance his career with his personal life."
The team said they will release any additional updates on Iverson's status as they become available.
The well being of his daughter should be his priority, and it seems that it is. God bless her, and prayerfully she will return to the best of health. Good luck to AI and it would be great to see him in a Sixers uniform next season, bringing his AI game and bringing basketball excitment to pro basketball fans around this area, and around the pro-hoops nation! Cause we were all hoping for it this season! Hang in there AI! There are millions of fans rooting for you!!!— Higher Ground- Greatest A.I. memory: Game 1 of the 2001 NBA finals when Iverson put up 48 in an overtime game against LA and scored 7 straight points in OT. The last 2 coming on the fade away against Tyronne Lue when he then stepped over him going back down the court.— jurnee10
- Sad to it end this way for AI. It sucks our team is stuck with Eddie Jordan, Ed S., and what looks to be a long, rebuilding process.— cday22
Comment removed.- A.I. was an exciting player, but always one dimensional. He never matured as a player or as a man. That was proven by the fact that he got run off of 4 teams at the end because he couldn't play as part of a team.— ckelly1121
- Way too much negativity about Iverson, a warrior who provided great excitement to the fans of this franchise when in his prime; certainly, one of the best and most exciting players ever to play for the 76ers. He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame and deservedly so.— chuckw
- As it turns out Iverson had a quite positive effect on his young teammates, providing insight and encouragement throughout his stay here. I imagine Holiday, in particular, was grateful for the time spent with Iverson. A nice way for an old pro to exit.— Common2Sense
- People nead to stop making up lies about a.i partying in charlotte this weekend cause the truth is that HE WAS IN CHARLOTTE FOR HIS SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER THIS WEEKEND AND MADE A APPEARANCE AT A PARTY TO PROMOTE THE SCHOLARSHIP EVENT!!!!! he is with his sick daughter but just made a quick apearance to help with his scholarship foundation. HOW CAN PEOPLE KNOCK HIM FOR THAT!!!! Im Praying for A.I's family....— Infamouskruse12
- ai was still deadly until up until his nuggets days i remember all of it not just 2001 he was great for a long time those injuries caught up with him— invinciblesoul86
- I find it classless and shameful that anyone would be taking shots(cheap shots) at this man at a time when the main issue is the health of his daughter. As is the case with most of us, all else is secondary when it comes to the well being of our family. Then again maybe those of you making the insensitive remarks do not care as much about your family as most people do!— rickgsx13
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- I can't wait for the NBA to return to Philly.— TVGuy22
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.
