Iverson Agrees to Terms, Heads Back to Philly
December 3rd, 2009 | 
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(Photo credit: ESPN.com)
Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers parted ways under less-than-friendly circumstances in 2006. He and the organization feuded so much that the Sixers tore A.I.’s nameplate from his locker and took him out of video highlights before trading him to Denver. Now the two are rejoining forces.
Iverson has accepted Philly’s one-year offer and will join the team Monday, according to a report from the Associated Press.
In a move that appeared farfetched after their acrimonious split in 2006, the 76ers reunited with the briefly retired Iverson on Wednesday in a move designed to spike sagging attendance and fill in for the injured Lou Williams.
Iverson will make his debut Monday night at home against Denver — one of three teams he’s called home since leaving Philly.
Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said Wednesday that Iverson will have a starting role and will likely stay with the team for the duration of the season.
“I told him I would like for him to start, and that’s where it sort of ended,” Jordan said. “And he was really like a kid at Christmas.”
Team President Ed Stefanski was equally excited about Iverson’s return.
“He’s like a rock star,” team president Ed Stefanski said. “If there’s going to be a chance for him to do it and make it work, there’s no doubt in my mind Philadelphia is the best spot for him to try and do it.”
Critics of the move say that Iverson will disrupt the growth of young players like Jrue Holiday as well as Jordan’s Princeton-style offense. But I see the signing as a low risk-high reward proposition.
At worst, Iverson will dominate the ball on offense, shoot 40 percent from the field, and infuriate the media. At best, he’ll play within the offense, mentor Holiday, and re-establish a following in Philly. Either way he’s going to sell a lot of tickets and merchandise.
Welcome back, A.I.
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Posted in Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers | 
Tags: Allen Iverson, Eddie Jordan, Philadelphia, quotes, returns to Philly, Sixers, will be starting
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