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Iverson practices

Allen Iverson practices with team for first time since resigning

Inching closer to his return in a 76ers uniform, guard Allen Iverson had his first full practice with the team yesterday at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, running on the first team with Willie Green, Sam Dalembert, Elton Brand and Thaddeus Young.

Iverson had plenty of hop in his step during the less than one-hour workout, and seemed very comfortable on the floor. Not on the court were Andre Iguodala (sprained right ankle) and rookie Jrue Holiday (strained rotator cuff). A team official said Holiday was day-to-day and Iguodala was a game-time decision. The Sixers host the Denver Nuggets tomorrow night in what will be Iverson's re-debut.

"It was great, a lot of energy, a lot of veteran presence on the floor, a lot of hops in everybody's step," said coach Eddie Jordan. "It was better than I expected."

"It was fun being there," said Iverson. "Basically in the last six months, I haven't played but 40 minutes or something like that," said Iverson of his three-game stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. "I haven't played basketball in the last month. So it was hard as far as my conditioning."

At one point, Jordan said he had to slow Iverson down a little bit as the team was going through some things at less than full speed.

"I was probably doing things too fast being that I'm trying to get back into a groove and get into a rhythm," said Iverson. "At times I was just trying to rush. It's going to take a while. I think it's important for my coaching staff, my teammates and the fans to be a little patient with me because my rhythm's not there and the conditioning is definitely not there. It's going to take a little bit of steps to get where I want to be, but eventually I'll get there.