Iverson wants to play, just not in D-League
by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports
Yes, Allen Iverson is interested in playing professional basketball again.
No, the former MVP and All-Star guard s not planning to play in the NBA’s D-League for the Texas Legends.
Allen, while he appreciates the interest the Dallas affiliate has shown in him and that option was there for him if he wanted to take that route, he’s not going to that route,” Iverson’s manager Gary Moore told USA TODAY.
“He’s going to continue to work very hard to get his mind and his body back to a place where he can help a team in the future – sooner more so than later.”
Moore said Iverson is working out in North Carolina right now and may go to Chicago soon to continue working out.
Moore indicated Iverson may explore opportunities to play in the NBA this season.
“Hopefully, one day, he’ll get an opportunity to possibly join a team and help a team – come off the bench and maybe give a team some very valuable minutes in this playoff stretch,” Moore said. “I’m not a guessing man, but if I had to bet, I would surely feel like Allen is going to try and get himself in shape to return sometime this year.”
Iverson last played in the NBA in 2009-10. He started the season with the Memphis Grizzlies, but that didn’t work – he played in just three games – because Iverson wasn’t getting the minutes he wanted. He played 25 games for the Philadelphia 76ers – the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 1996 – and started 24 times, averaging 13.9 points 4.1 assists and three rebounds. Iverson’s last game for the Sixers was on Feb. 20, 2010. He took a leave of absence and never played again in the NBA.
Iverson played professionally in Turkey at the start of the 2010-11 season, but a calf injury ended his season in January of 2011.
Moore said Iverson made mistakes when he tried to come back to the NBA in 2010.
“Allen realizes full well why he’s not in the NBA right now. … He’d be naïve to realize why he’s not in the league … [For more on Allen Iverson wants to play ball, just not in D-League, click here.]
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