Saturday, October 30th, 2010 at 11:46 am  |  77 responses

Allen Iverson Signs with Besiktas Cola Turka

by Ryne Nelson

The deal is official. Allen Iverson has signed a $4 million, two-year contract with Turkish club Besiktas.

A press conference was held Friday at the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan. AI kept it real, wearing a black tee and Yankees cap.

Iverson told the press “my whole thing was being wanted,” and the Turkish club offers a chance at a “fresh start” in basketball. Iverson continued:

“I had a great time playing in the NBA. Who knows if I ever will again? But I wanted to show everybody I can play at a high level, not just the NBA.”

According to terms of the deal, Iverson will receive bonuses and a percentage of advertising revenues. The former NBA scoring champ also stipulated that the team can’t fine him beyond 1 percent of his salary.

Check the videos below to watch the signing, followed by the unveiling of his new No. 3 Besiktas Cola Turka jersey.

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  • http://Trukingiii@aim.com Truking

    Why A.I.? You a F’n legend man if the nba don’t want you that’s sign to give it up….

  • The D Train

    Let me ask this: is it possible that AI is the mini-LBJ? Tons of athletic prowess for their size. Really unstoppable when they are throwing down for real. Always coming up a bit short of the expectations that WE put on them. We always asked about AI’s potential as the years passed. Would he ever “figure it out?” LBJ is now in year 8. We have been asking about him, “when will he win his first title?” I don’t mean this to diminish either player, but what if hype (that one could argue started with AI as far as level of craziness) exceeds expectations? What if LBJ, who we all think is going to be one of the greatest ever, is simply AI plus height and pounds? What if the difference between those cats and the ones on the top of the mountain has little to do with expectations and physical attributes, but instead mindset (practice?!?)? I appreciate both of these cats. But I definitely wonder if over-saturation makes them out to be more than they are, before they are who they might be…dig?

  • http://www.yamahyouth.com Gerwin

    What’s up with the; ‘The former NBA scoring champ also stipulated that the team can’t fine him beyond 1 percent of his salary’? Is he being pro-active?

  • http://www.slamonline.com Pardeep

    @The D Train: True that. AI is def a mini LBJ except LBJ is a little more loved.

  • hoodsnake

    This happens to you when you have all the talent in the world but no respect for the game. He knows there isn’t any strip clubs in Turkey right?

  • RedRum

    hahahah!!! Just to remind you AI, teams in Europe do two-a-day practices!! you WILL be talking about practice!

    I don’t see that working, AI is not the typical NBA player who comes to europe, most of them try to adapt to the game/country they play, AI is such o bonehead that he will expect the whole europe to adapt to him.

  • Rich

    To the people trying to put a positive spin on this: It’s obvious AI doesn’t want to be playing in Turkey. At least with the Grizz he actually managed to look upbeat during the press conference. AI is either in financial dire straits, unable to function without basketball, desperate to earn himself a return to the NBA or all of the above.I doubt the thought of playing in a beautiful city in front of a passionate fan base is sugaring the pill for him.

  • underdog

    The team is going to regret this.

  • IHaveADream

    AI takes a lot of heat for the practice comments, but no one really takes the time to find out why he was upset or why he made those comments. Typical. Hope he enjoys playing in Turkey. The man just wants to play ball.

  • http://bassbesteck.wordpress.com Bassbesteck

    AI should make sure which one of the two “Practice” Verbs is the one he wants to use^^

  • Brian

    When AI says, “my whole thing was being wanted”, what he is really saying is, ‘I’m the victim!!!’. He’ll be back by mid- January after missing games around Christmas and New Years to party.
    The AI teen fan club will then talk about how the team is to blame because poor AI missed his family (even though he hasn’t seen them for months).

  • IAMORANGE4EVER

    That blonde is what I call an alpha female.

  • IHaveADream

    @ Brian
    …That’s not what he’s saying at all.

  • http://www.fiba.com Darksaber

    to heck with the curly blonde, the brunette with the scarf pulling her hair outta her face was alpha times infinity

  • http://www.kb24.com The Seed

    AI can still play in the NBA, but he is a freaking AND 1 player who got lucky and made it to the NBA, and the NBA allowed his carry move to be used by him for years. AI was quick and great but was an individual player who never made his teammates better, but made himself look better. AI in his prime could score with anybody, but him not being able to play with Jerry Stackhouse, Larry Hughes and countless others was his downfall and thats why people in the NBA feel that he cannot come off of the bench as a role player. I will miss the selfish AI, he will never be back, but at least he should be on the BOBCATS with LARRY. BOOK IT!!

  • markojaric

    We talking bout Turkey man! Turkey! We talkin bout Turkey! We aint talkin bout Chicken!

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/hagekg hagekg

    the reason why A.I isnt in the bobcats is because MJ said he dislikes him. most probably its because MJ hates players who despise PRACTICE, (or maybe he was pissed that everybody keeps watching/talking about A.I crossover on him in 97 lol).

  • IHaveADream

    @ The Seed
    You can’t do the things AI did in his career and just be an AND 1 player. AND 1 players aren’t Hall of Famers which AI will be without a doubt. Get real bro. Larry Hughes and Jerry Stackhouse weren’t exactly what you would call great sidekicks. AI never had a good sidekick to play with. The best he had was an over-the-hill Chris Webber.

  • The Philosopher

    He ran everybody he has ever played with out of town in Philly.

  • dreny4life

    Sad can belive the Bobcats didn’t sign him

  • http://yahoo.com kevin armenta

    all these cats hatin’ AI were the same cats in there backyard,park or school trying to copy his moves.Also his swag.That arm sleeve you see all these stars wearing,thats all AI.Tatoos??? THE ANSWER.Jewels???THE ANSWER.He came in and changed the game just like mike did.The league was his for 12 yrs.

  • D.Stokes

    Jive Turkey

  • Jhon

    AI haters are insecured brats…

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  • Ralph David

    #1 Overall pick in 96′ draft
    96/97′ Rookie of Yr and finished 6th in league scoring basically avg 24ppg and 8apg
    2001 NBA League MVP
    2X AllStar game MVP(2001&2005)
    Took Lynch/Mckie/Snow/Jones/Mutombo/Hill with him to 01′ Finals and they are all out the league as of today
    He won scoring title in 3rd season, League MVP in 5th season, last scoring title in 9th season and was 3rd in PPG behind James/Bryant in his 12th season and then told to come off bench very next season? i’ve been watching sports for a long while and never have i seen a top 10 player being told to come off bench, go check the history, any scoring champ or top 3 scorer is top 10-15 player in entire league bar none, he was basically 33yrs old and top scorer still….BLACKBALLED

  • RICHARD MILLS

    LIVE STRONG OR DIE – GO A.I. !!!

    ALSO HELP SAVE PHILLY / USA FROM CORRUPTION

    Http://www.Facebook.com/FightCorruptionUSA

  • Jen Kerns

    I made this movie w/my Flipcam….wouldn’t miss the chance w/Allen Iverson coming to town!
    Check the link: Allen Iverson & Beşiktaş v. BG Göttingen
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnpIXlsfQcE
    ENJOY!

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