Jordan and team get ready for return of AI
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Allen Iverson is returning to the Sixers and should play Monday at home against the Nuggets
Jordan and team get ready for return of AI
Bob Cooney
After this morning's shoot around at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, the main topic of conversation wasn't about tonight's opponent, the Thunder, but of course about the return of Allen Iverson. The team announced earlier in the day that the 10-time All-Star would be coming back to the team that he spent 10-plus seasons with and guided to the NBA Finals during his MVP season of 2001.
"We're looking at a couple options," said coach Eddie Jordan when asked about his rotation once Iverson is in uniform. "One of the options we're looking at is obviously, I would like him to start. I haven't talked to the team about it, but it's a thought process. When I make that decision I will talk to the team first and then will tell you guys. I'm really looking to see if he can fit into our starting lineup, but it's not etched in stone."
It would be hard to imagine Iverson not starting come Monday, particularly after his disdain of sitting on the bench led to his parting with the Memphis Grizzlies earlier this season. Add to that what the fan reaction might be when he is announced, it certainly would be a nice change to what has been a very quiet Wachovia Center.
"I would like to, without really seeing him on the floor, I would like to compare him to Brett Favre, a guy who people think is too old to play, and he's almost having an MVP year. I think he could be that."
Jordan's Princeton offense will no doubt have to take a back seat now with Iverson being implemented into the lineup, but Jordan said Iverson knows the gist of the offense and that it shouldn't be a problem, with the help of teammates who are more familiar with the read-and-react system.
"I have confidence in my abilities to teach how to catch the ball and go iso (isolation)," Jordan kidded. "Isolation is part of our offense. I feel good. When I talked with him, he knows what we do. I'd like for him to know the minimum part of it."
It appears that Iverson won't be joining the team on this road trip for practices. After tonight's game, the Sixers travel to Charlotte for a game Saturday night. Presumably, they will practice on Sunday with a shoot around on Monday before the Denver game.
Both Willie Green and Andre Iguodala, who were teammates with Iverson during his first stint with the club, said today they had talked to Iverson recently and are confident and excited to have him come back to the team.
"I'm excited about it," said Green, "I actually talked to Allen on the phone a little bit (Tuesday night) and he's excited about it. I think the fans in Philly are excited. We look forward to it."
Said Iguodala: "I talked to him the other day, we had a phone conversation. We've been keeping in touch. I've been good with it the whole time. I'm excited to get him back, get him on the court. The biggest thing is to try to get him in the rhythm with us and get things moving as quickly as possible."
Ironic that Iverson could be returning Monday to play against the Nuggets, as that's who the Sixers traded him to in 2006. The next game for the Sixers will be at home against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. The Nuggets, of course, traded Iverson to Detroit in 2008.
"It appears that Iverson won't be joining the team on this road trip for practices." That's a shock.— P Even
Practice....you're talkin' practice?- How can you like this guy after he blew off FAN APPRECIATION ceremonies? You people that do are chumps.— davekrieg
Comment removed.- Well...let see what happens. Have you been to the Wachovia Center lately.....BORING!!!!! YEA!!! A.I.— Yevette
- "One of the options we're looking at is obviously, I would like him to start. I haven't talked to the team about it" You haven't talked to the team about this guy's role? True Sixers fan's know this is simply a bandaid on a problem much bigger than selling seats. Who cares about how many seats they sell? I hope everyone who wants this guy has Comcast stock options. Those of you with no reason to watch the sixers, except to watch Iverson, I wish you had just got the NBA ticket. I'm interested in Parades not a circus. You cant package Dalembert with the 20th pick in the draft and expect anything back. Look what the Celtics did, they lost a ton of games, got into the lottery, traded the pick and young somewhat established players and wound up with Garnett and Allen. People think with your heads.— 4for44ever
- what a pathetic joke this is. Wow, Im speechless. I cant believe it. How is this going to help the young guys get better. Well I guess the young guys can learn how to party now.— peteike
- will Eskin get the first interview?— GoCowboys
- have him sell hot dogs— ziller0604
- Comment removed.
- A lot of selective memory going on with Iverson bringing "excitement" back. The Sixers were just as boring as they are now during Iverson's last few years here after Larry Brown left (or did I miss how exciting that AI-Weber-Korver nucleus was).— The Edifier
- Phil and Bob, it's not ironic that he's returning against Denver. It's coincidental at best. C'mon guys, it's nitpicking but you're professional writers.— nyphilsphan
her?— theJOJ- her?— theJOJ
- I thought signing Michael Vick was stupid. this is beyond stupid. Does anyone really think that this is going to end well?— ALJ
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.
