Allen Iverson is Back; Now What?

by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Everyone seems to be in agreement that A.I.’s return to the City of Brotherly Love last night meant something.

The stage was set up for him perfectly: a sold out arena, arguably louder than it’s ever been, his former team on the other side of the court, every last detail of the evening mined for significance, and all of the hoops universe’s eyes on this one game.

For a guy who has barely seen the basketball court this season, Allen played fairly well. 11 points, 6 assists, and five boards in 37 minutes of action.

Though the surging Denver Nuggets played a large role in determining the outcome of the game, it did not take too long for everyone to remember just how bad of a team Philly is. Allen Iverson’s addition to the mix is no miracle cure, no matter how badly the fans in Philadelphia may want it to be.

There’s no telling how much more (positive) drama Iverson can help create for the home team. And who knows if the large crowds will continue to come out once the novelty wears off, and people begin to wonder if it’s worth paying to watch a 5-16 team?

For now, the fans and city are in high spirits. Their diminutive hero is back where he belongs. To hold their interest, though, Iverson has a massive task ahead of him.