Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 9:00 am  |  82 responses

Allen Iverson Finished in Philadelpha

by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Round Two of the Allen Iverson Era in Philly lasted about two months. Not exactly what one would call even remotely memorable. And now, it’s reportedly over.

According to multiple media reports out of Philadelphia, Iverson will not rejoin the team this season, making it even more unlikely that he will ever wear a Sixers uniform again.

From the Inquirer:

Allen Iverson will not return to the 76ers this season, this confirmed by a source close to the team. An official update is expected from the Sixers sometime soon, likely within the next two days.

Since Iverson took his second leave on Feb. 20, again for personal reasons, it has been assumed that Iverson was not likely to return to the team. Those assumptions are now confirmed.

It’s a dicey situation for both sides — Iverson is caring for his gravely ill daughter, and the Sixers continue to struggle mightily — but separation is perhaps the best option at this point. It’s not what anyone would have wanted, but it’s the reality of things.

UPDATE: The Sixers have now officially announced the breakup:

“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,” team president Ed Stefanski said. “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.”

Iverson’s second go-around with the team ends with him averaging 14 points, 4 assists and having only played in 25 games.

You can always go home again; happy results, though, are by no means guaranteed.

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  • Ken Posted: Mar.2 at 9:09 am
    What a bummer of an end to a career. Even 2 seasons ago he was putting up great numbers on a playoff Denver team.

  • ROB Posted: Mar.2 at 9:09 am
    FIRST!

  • Hussman25 Posted: Mar.2 at 9:10 am
    If his daughter would have never got sick, he would have played the entire year and gotten the send off he deserved. We love him in Philly; always have and always will! I seen this man as a rookie fresh out G-Town and now Im able to say I had the pleasure to enjoy a few games with him back in town. It wasnt like it used 2 be, but it was still nice 2 have him back in town… If this is goodbye, hopefully theyll let him come back @ the last game of the season and play one last time… I think this is it. Thanks Allen; it was a REAL pleasure!

  • Jukai Posted: Mar.2 at 9:14 am
    See ya AI, hopefully you’ll come back next year

  • slamfan4life Posted: Mar.2 at 9:30 am
    Damn AI, hope your daughter gets better ONE LOVE

  • kh Posted: Mar.2 at 9:33 am
    A.I. Our prayers are with you and your family.

  • Jack Knife Posted: Mar.2 at 9:44 am
    I hope his daughter gets better. He clearly is focused on the right thing.

  • Non splende più il sole a Philadelphia « The Basketball Diaries Posted: Mar.2 at 9:48 am
    [...] Tutto questo fino ad oggi. Oggi in cui sembra ormai certo verrà annunciata la separazione tra Iverson e la sua casa-base. [...]

  • dirty frank Posted: Mar.2 at 9:48 am
    Best wishes to AI and his daughter.

  • Mo Charlo Posted: Mar.2 at 9:49 am
    Don’t worry about basketball, AI. You got bigger fish to fry.

  • Justin Posted: Mar.2 at 9:49 am
    An unfortunate way to possibly end a great career but none of that matters when needing to be there for his daughter. Hope she pulls through AI

  • Darksaber Posted: Mar.2 at 9:55 am
    Please, please Spanny, don’t read this. Nothing to see here, just move on.

  • When I lose this gut I'm gonna cross you up Posted: Mar.2 at 9:55 am
    I am praying that A.I.’s Daughter makes a complete recovery! Allen is a legend.

  • Sesa Posted: Mar.2 at 9:58 am
    76ers should retire his number. He deserved it

  • kudos Posted: Mar.2 at 10:03 am
    What a joke, unless his daughter has cancer or something, how could he not play out the remainder of the year.? It’s not like he’s working a 40 hour week, he’s playing 2-3 games A WEEK. I hope he retires already, and not “he’s ready now” as soon as next season starts.

  • LeoneL Posted: Mar.2 at 10:11 am
    Gotta love SLAM fans! No bashing, unless that greek dude decides to come in here again. Take care of her Mr. Iverson!

  • jumpman3224 Posted: Mar.2 at 10:12 am
    76ers should definately retire his number. He did more for that franchise than 40% of the retired numbers in the NBA.

  • jumpman3224 Posted: Mar.2 at 10:12 am
    At least he has the HOF to look forward to.

  • LeoneL Posted: Mar.2 at 10:34 am
    kudos..thanks for proving me wrong right off the bat..put yourself in Allen’s position..

  • niQ Posted: Mar.2 at 10:41 am
    Wish him and his fam the best!

  • Jukai Posted: Mar.2 at 10:47 am
    kudos: Damn dude, what is it with you today? They can’t figure out what his daughter has, for all they know it could be cancer. So c’mon, have some respect bro.

  • underdog Posted: Mar.2 at 11:15 am
    I was never really a big AI fan, I have mad respect for his game though. It’s clear, AI doesn’t really give a damn about the NBA anymore, but who can blame him, when his daughter is in such a bad condition. So, hopefully she gets better soon, but I hope AI retires, because he has already destroyed enough his legacy.

  • Brian Posted: Mar.2 at 11:19 am
    Didn’t Zeke also use his daughter as a pawn during a similarly tough time?

  • Daniel Posted: Mar.2 at 11:34 am
    Okay who is he going to is he going to stay in the NBA.A great player like Allen Iverson should not retire after just this, go th a good team and turn them into a title contender thats the way my boy Allen Iverson should go out.

  • Daniel Posted: Mar.2 at 11:34 am
    Okay who is he going to is he going to stay in the NBA.A great player like Allen Iverson should not retire after just this, go th a good team and turn them into a title contender thats the way my boy Allen Iverson should go out.

  • Jonny C Posted: Mar.2 at 11:39 am
    @kudos, he dont work 40 hours a week, but hes on the road traveling all the time with his team, that makes it that much harder to be there for his family in such a rough time. give the guy a break. we love you AI, the game just aint the same without him, there will never be another AI

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Mar.2 at 12:05 pm
    Just saw one of those gossip sites stating that he’s down south partying with Jermain Dupree. Don’t know how true it is (from reading the tweets about it apparently was true), but any case thanks. It’s been a great roller coaster of emotion. Now go home and be the greatest father/husband/whatever you can be Ivo.

  • Matt Posted: Mar.2 at 12:15 pm
    If Allen Iverson has time to co-host a party with Jermaine Dupree, he has time to log some minutes for the Sixers. He never learned how to be a professional.

  • BossTerry Posted: Mar.2 at 12:22 pm
    Thanks for the great performances ansewer… Hope all is well real soon…

  • Illydiva Posted: Mar.2 at 12:48 pm
    Well said, Hussman! I pray his daughter recovers from whatever is ailing her. Nothing is more precious than children.

  • Stillballin Posted: Mar.2 at 1:47 pm
    Prayers to you and your family..your still my hero!!

  • check Posted: Mar.2 at 1:58 pm
    Sorry for stating the obvious, but kudos, you’re a dumba$$.

  • DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name) Posted: Mar.2 at 2:16 pm
    1)my deep sympathy and best wishes to his daughter and all the suffering people in the world.
    2)i won’t get into those “….co-host a party with Jermaine Dupree…” rumors i don’t care if they are true (with “bball’s Kournikova” talent,NOTHING can surprise me…) it really doesn’t matter. All i wanna tell you is that your parents/relatives,etc most propably had to work (i mean work 10 hours a day, not play a game twice a week ) through similar situations for months and months, taking a couple of days off ONLY for the “sad” day (happened to many-many people i know, i don’t know in what kind of a ‘bubble’ you leave). At the same time,since the vast majority of you is under 15 years old (and most of the previous comments proved me, once again, on this)i ,honestly, can understand you.
    3)Our last chance to avoid the greatest ridicule for the BBALL HALL OF FAME seems to slip away since the only thing left to make a strong case for his induction, career PPG, will not suffer the normal decline that suffered any respectable’s star player in the past who had the least of seriosity to play a complemetary role at the end of his career…What you say..??? You say that this PPG is obviously of little value if somebody takes in consideration the terrible shooting percentages(for a perimeter scorer) that was build on (along with no natural decline for reasons i just mentioned)..?? Well my dear friends, in kids(mentally) world that means nothing at all. On the other hand (shooting)percentages ain’t been teached on elementary school so i will excuse you for this also…(who will excuse the HALL voters tell me…)

  • DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name) Posted: Mar.2 at 2:18 pm
    and to keep it real….:

  • DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name) Posted: Mar.2 at 2:21 pm
    IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!
    IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!
    IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!
    IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!IVERSON!!! STARBURY!!!!

  • Nick Fleming Posted: Mar.2 at 2:48 pm
    Allen Iverson is SLAM.

  • DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name) Posted: Mar.2 at 3:01 pm
    @Nick…: SLAM>>>>………………………………………………………Goran Dragic>>……………………………………………………………………………………>>>……………………Allen “Kournikova of basketball” Iverson.

  • M Cho Posted: Mar.2 at 3:01 pm
    @Dimitris: Please, shut the f**k up. You’re insulting SLAM readers now, not just iverson. Most of us aren’t 15 years old, and the only adolescent here is you – if not in age, then in understanding and communication skills.

  • BossTerry Posted: Mar.2 at 3:06 pm
    lol @ M Cho…. Theres always at least 1 that slides through the cracks..

  • BossTerry Posted: Mar.2 at 3:11 pm
    @dimitris.. spoken like a truly creepy person…

  • Rob Posted: Mar.2 at 3:13 pm
    @Hussman25 c’mon man if his daughter would have never got sick, Iverson would’ve done something stupid already and he wouldn’t be a part of the team anyway. Don’t be naive. Don’t like AI, never had, never will, but I hope her daughter gets well soon.

  • darksaber Posted: Mar.2 at 3:13 pm
    Aaaaaaaand Spanny has found the post…. *sigh*

  • Darksaber Posted: Mar.2 at 3:23 pm
    Ohhh boy, Spanny’s found the post…

  • Darksaber Posted: Mar.2 at 3:25 pm
    Btw. Antonis, what a rugby game that broke out between Pana and Olympia two nights ago, eh? (i seriously am considering kneecapping Diamantidis, what a cheapshot assasin). Was chatting with Josh C. earlier and dude mentioned the noise was near overwhelming… Did you to enemy territory to watch?

  • SAB Posted: Mar.2 at 3:34 pm
    best of luck to AI and to his daughter. thanks for all the good times. hope to see you back on the court soon.

  • DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name) Posted: Mar.2 at 3:46 pm
    @Darksaber….:check Fotsis’s video-interview on euroleague.tv where he presents his career repeating..”you know..” for something like 35 times in 4 minutes….Sunday’s game was very specacular bball-wise ,Diamantidis had one of his best career nights, Obradovic had to make an exception and say that he was amazed from what he saw,…he was true by the way. Diamantidis finished the game with 25p/11a/7r 2 steals and 9/10 FG’S 5/6 of them 3 pointers(think of A.I. but the exact opposite efficiency wise). Josh is much better than last year (and we love him for trying) but asking him to achieve Diamantidis’ levels of bball briliance is unfair….GO OLYMPIAKOS !!!!!

  • Darksaber Posted: Mar.2 at 4:14 pm
    Spanny: it sure was intense, Pekovic, Batista, and two other Pana players in serious foul trouble ore fouled out. Pana also had multiple guys foul out in the 4th.

  • Jonny C Posted: Mar.2 at 4:17 pm
    @dimitris, i have no idea what the hell you just tried saying in your first post. comprehending charles manson’s rants is easier than comprehending yours. grow up kid

  • JD Posted: Mar.2 at 4:33 pm
    Good move, AI, hope ur duaghter gets better soon

  • DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name) Posted: Mar.2 at 4:56 pm
    @dARK…;thursday against Caja we book our tickets to Paris (hope).

  • Hussman25 Posted: Mar.2 at 5:02 pm
    @Rob: about him “doing something stupid…” I HIGHLY DOUBT IT! (Excuse the Caps) Did you see the same press conference as I?? Did you see this man cry his eyes out! He was @ a loss of words about what it means to him to wear a Sixers uniform. He stated it was “Hell” to play in those other city’s… He never looked comfortable in any of them jerseys. Im saying all of this because he was in the most ideal situation he could be in; both personally and basketball wise… He participated in practice when physically capable, he was not the towel-over-head Iverson you seen prior… He was thoughtful when speaking about wins or losses and sounded like a true NBA vet, not some ballhog mistfit! He looked MATURE! Philly WAS AI’s playground for 10 years… the city, much like AI himself is not like he left it… He knew he was staring fathertime in the face, and to me, was learning to deal with it until his lil one got ill… AND SO WHAT if he was partying @ the CIAA events… wouldnt you need some breathing room or air if you been in a hospital room or Doctor’s office for days on end seeing your lil one hooked up on machines, getting blood drawn or hearing her cry… SMH AI has given us all reasons to love, like or dislike him, but this is not one of them times to say what he would have done… Remember what he DID DO in a Sixer Uniform! But sadly, this ending feels more like a TVOne episode of “Unsung”… What could have been???

  • Candice Posted: Mar.2 at 5:16 pm
    I’m dumfounded by some of the comments on here. I hope that none you have to deal with a sick person or a sick person in general. So what if he went out, I didn’t stop when my mother was sick. You can’t you would go crazy.

  • str8 from samoa Posted: Mar.2 at 5:19 pm
    he will be back. hopefully next season.

  • Shem Posted: Mar.2 at 5:45 pm
    @Kudos: Have some respect man. I’m sure everyone agrees that having an ill daughter is worse then working a 40 hr week. And all the practice that AI put in to BE playing 2-3 games is why he has that luxury.

  • Bryan Posted: Mar.2 at 5:50 pm
    who cares? Why did we need updates on this guys every move all year anyway? He’s done. He has been since last year. Good Riddence

  • DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name) Posted: Mar.2 at 6:20 pm
    @Bryan….:cause he still sells to kids and this is business.

  • 360 Posted: Mar.2 at 6:38 pm
    @Bryan. do you not hear bells ringing out I-R-O-N-Y when you make a statement like that? “who cares?” I ask you; who opens a link, more likely than not reads it all, scrolls all the way to the bottom of that page, enter their details and posts a comment on an article regarding someone they don’t care about? you still care, it’s the just on the opposite end of the spectrum to all the people who came to wish the dude well for the future. dude lit up basketball for the best part of decade and he has to deal with ish no body would wish upon anybody, no parent should have to watch their kids fall nigh-on terminally ill.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Mar.2 at 6:51 pm
    Best wishes to Allen Iverson’s daughter and his family.

  • Bryan Posted: Mar.2 at 6:52 pm
    Allen Iverson is the poster child for the uneducated basketball fan. Is it a coincidence Slam bombards us with updates on him? I hope his daughter gets well but lets be real, he just doesn’t want to come to work anymore.

  • Candice Posted: Mar.2 at 7:05 pm
    @Bryan are you serious? No one asked you to come to the article…… So what that you don’t care, some of us do and obviously the 1 million + fans that voted for him for All-Star.

  • Pardeep Posted: Mar.2 at 7:26 pm
    Best wishes to AI’s daughter and if this is the end than WHAT A CAREER! he did it all except win a ring but AI is going down as top 30 ever if this is the end and maybe even top 25 ever. What AI should do once his daughters gets well is train his ass off to get that explosiveness and conditioning back workout for teams in the off season and come back with a vengance next season.

  • Merlinea Posted: Mar.2 at 7:31 pm
    @Dimitris, @kudos, @Bryan: just shut the f*** up.
    Man, I hope you´ll never ever have your own child being seriously ill……guys you are ridiculous.
    If you dont have anything grown up to say: why not shut up in the first place?
    For some nerds here the “must-post-on-absolutely-everything-all-the-time”-rule seems to apply. SAD.

  • P_NUT Posted: Mar.2 at 8:10 pm
    Good luck to AI, wish him the best and prayers to his daughter whatever may be wrong with her? It’s crazy we live in this town and still haven’t heard what her ailment is? Hate to say this but AI hosting a party with Jermaine Dupree? still shows you what kind of individual he is.I know many individuals that have had run ins with Allen and from what I hear he is a creep!! Reputible people too! As a basketball player though, pound for pound the best at his position……only if he took care of his body and worked out his career would have lasted alot longer. Good luck with your daughter whatever it may be?

  • Lebron is mvp Posted: Mar.2 at 8:32 pm
    man this is a sad day sad day for bball

  • The Philosopher Posted: Mar.2 at 9:18 pm
    Iverson is the greatest player of all time under six feet tall. Blessed talent. But, I know a lot of people. A lot of people with money and kids. None of them are partying it up when their “gravely ill” child is gravely ill. Now, if she is garvely ill, I genuinely hope she gets better. But if she’s not, Iverson is the child he always was.

  • Jukai Posted: Mar.2 at 10:28 pm
    Now I just feel stupid. Allen Iverson is the baby he always was. His daughter is too sick to earn the f*cking cash to make her better but not sick enough for him to get his PARTY ON!
    Kudo, Spanny, and Bryan are 100% correct.

  • Bryan Posted: Mar.2 at 10:30 pm
    the one million plus “fans” that voted him as an all star are an embarrassment…. It was always obvious this guy was never going to age gracefully as an NBA basketball player. The last 2 years are proof of that. Never had the integrity to play effectively into his 30′s…

  • nastierthanu Posted: Mar.2 at 11:06 pm
    Some of us here on this blog surprise and dissappoint me. I have a belief in people and I hate being dissappointed but tonight I am. There are so many of us, I include myself, running around with black robes and gavels that are missing what’s important. In the state of medicine today and a man with millions of dollars to spend, there are diseases and illnesses that cannot be diagnosed or cured. I’m not going to justify a party or anything else what I will say is what would people say about some of u if u had media coverage surronding some of your poorest decisions. U can’t tell me u haven’t made some bone head decisions and yes dmitri that includes u as well. I went to my uncles funeral and was so drunk the whole weekend I was going to bring a date! Yup a stripper I met the night before!!! So I’m no better than anyone else and neither are the rest of u. THERE IS ONLY 1 JUDGE AND NONE OF U R HIM!!! Prayers go out to the iverson household. Love him or hate him we ALL wish that we had his talent.

  • D.A. Posted: Mar.3 at 12:20 am
    Why don’t yall just put down the hate pipe for a minute and just give dude prayers and what not for his daughter. Why some people have to put their two cents of negativity in everything? If you don’t like the guy, don’t read the thread, or comment. Just wish the best for dude and move on to breed hate elsewhere.
    All the best AI. Prayers and thoughts with your Daugher and all your Fam.
    Peace.

  • Jukai Posted: Mar.3 at 1:12 am
    No way, f– that right now. Dude can’t play with Phili cause he’s gotta play with his daughter but he can travel to friggin’ Charlotte to party it up with his boys?
    How in the world should we take that?
    Should we not take it as he’s quitting on his team?
    Should we not take that as he’s not as concerned with his daughter as he says he is?
    This entire thing stinks.

  • Tariqُُ Posted: Mar.3 at 1:21 am
    Some of you people are idiots.

  • Jukai Posted: Mar.3 at 2:11 am
    I’m interested in hearing you elaborate, Tariq.

  • BossTerry Posted: Mar.3 at 3:51 am
    after reading the later comments, maybe I dont know all the details of this story… But I do know that I wish AI’s daughter the best, and Allen used to be one hell of a player.. and probably still could be solid if he accepted his aging and role.. And yes, there are idiots posting in here, but jukai is safe, its others mind-less comments.

  • DIMITRIS DIAMANTIDIS(click on my name) Posted: Mar.3 at 4:00 am
    @Boss Terry….:hope i am one of the idiots you talking about.
    @Tariq…..:solid argumentation (as always).

  • IB Buggn Posted: Mar.3 at 11:17 am
    My Man A.I., if U r reading this…. . …U need to report to Beantown A.S.A.P. …. . … For championship duty. …. . … V.C. too!!!! ! !!!
    Holla Back ib_buggn_413bk@yahoo.com …. . … Buggn Out…. . …

  • IB Buggn Posted: Mar.3 at 11:45 am
    check my profile pix on ib_buggn_413bk@yahoo.com …. . …Buggn Out…. . …

  • Tariqُُ Posted: Mar.3 at 2:49 pm
    Jukai:
    Player X is not playing because his daughter is sick. Regardless of who Player X is, he should be given the benefit of the doubt. Anything less is devoid of taste and class.
    Did he attend a party? None of your f*cking business.
    And for the record, he didn’t “travel to friggin’ Charlotte to party it up with his boys.” There was a reason why he traveled. But there’s a space between reality and perception, and ONE of Iverson’s problems was that he never knew how to navigate that space. Now I’m not claiming that I know what the reality is, but that so many of you are so ready to create a certain reality which is in line with Iverson’s image makes me think to myself: “Some of you people are idiots.” P.S.
    I know how your mind works, Jukai, so let me just say, in anticipation, that I would have the exact same response if Steve Nash were in this situation.

  • Tariqُُ Posted: Mar.3 at 2:51 pm
    Spanny:
    I can’t believe you and Plato are from the same hemisphere.

  • Jukai Posted: Mar.4 at 1:35 am
    Tariq:
    I’m sorry, but that logic I just don’t agree with.
    I know you HATE this logic (I know how your mind works too)
    but if I took a week off from work to make sure my daughter was alright
    And then got caught at a party drinking heavily
    People would label me a bad father. Right off the bat.
    And they would probably be RIGHT.

  • Jukai Posted: Mar.4 at 1:36 am
    And if no one knows the space between reality and perception, we shouldn’t be saying “poor Iverson and his poor daughter” either. Cause we don’t know. So why bother with sympathy.
    I’m official 100% done with ever defending Iverson. Ever.

  • SLAM ONLINE | » Allen Iverson’s Wife Has Filed for Divorce Posted: Mar.4 at 11:55 am
    [...] hasn’t been the greatest week in A.I.’s life. The AJC has the latest: “A week after the Philadelphia 76ers’ [...]

  • Tariqُُ Posted: Mar.4 at 11:58 am
    I don’t really care about Allen Iverson per se, but I hope you’re never in a situation where strangers are judging you for things you do in your personal life and whether or not you’re a “good father.” You don’t know what kind of arrangement is set up between him and his family. You don’t know anything. And you know what, Iverson may very well be a TERRIBLE father. But you don’t KNOW that. Even if AI and his wife get divorced, it still doesn’t mean you know sh*t. So stop running your mouth like you can talk about a man’s life. And please don’t announce your retirement from defending Iverson, not after a long a glittering career of defending the man. Give me a break. You probably spend half your day talking about Tiger Woods.

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