While the 76s are discussing trade, Iverson writes a farewell note.Liz ROBBINS, New York Times, December 9, 2006
Yesterday afternoon, Allen Iverson said it was time for a change, marking the end of an important milestone in the history of Philadelphia 76, a decade-long era.
By then, Billy King, president of the 76s, had already told Iverson not to appear in the team’s locker room for two days. Iverson’s absence from the Sixers match against Washington 86:94 only sparked speculation that King already wanted to trade Iverson, and club owner Ed Snyder supported his move.
“No matter how hard it is to admit, changes will benefit everyone,” said a seven-time participant in the All-Star Game, MVP championship 2001, which was distributed by his agent Leon Rose. “I hate this idea, because I love the guys from the team and the city Philadelphia: I really wanted to end my career in the ranks of the 76s.
So where does he end up? And what will happen to the Sixers, who have already fallen to 5-13? Over the past three days, according to several club managers, King has been frantically making one call after another, trying to find the best option for restructuring the team.
According to two club managers who wished to remain anonymous (since no line was drawn under any option), Iverson's possible buyers are Minnesota, Dallas, Denver and Clippers.
But “Philadelphia” also seeks to get rid of the discontented striker Chris Webber, and a deal involving both may require the participation of several teams.
Iverson, 31, is second in the league in terms of performance (31.2 points per match). Despite the back cramps that tormented him on Wednesday in the second half of the lost match with “Chicago”, it does not seem that he is losing his skill. Allen's salary this season is nearly $ 17 million, and the contract is valid until the end of the 2008/09 season. Webber's contract is much more difficult, because he should be paid $ 42 million over the next two years.
Dallas has always been active in the market for trades and free agents. According to one club manager, the Sixers are interested in the Mavericks point guard Devin Harris, Jerry Stackhouse (formerly 76th) and Austin Kroshir. But another manager denies that Dallas had negotiations with Philadelphia.
Iverson noted that the trade in Minnesota, where Kevin Garnett would be playing next to him, would be attractive to him. Both are in the past MVPs who did not happen to become champions. They say that the Timberwolves are ready to part with Troy Hudson (salary - $ 6 million) and may include newcomer Randy Foy in the package.
Last season, the Nuggets offered Marcus Cambie and Andre Miller for Iverson, and this deal is quite reasonable from a financial point of view.
“Clippers” recently trying to attach Corey Maggetty, but at the same time stubbornly do not want to part with the promising playmaker Sean Livingston.
Iverson and Sixers have always hesitated “from love to hate,” starting with the reign of coach Larry Brown, whose peak of success was reaching the NBA playoffs finals in 2001.
The current “76's” coach Maurice Cheeks lasted a long time, quarreling with Iverson this week due to the fact that Allen missed training and meeting with the fans. Iverson said management had told him not to come to either the game with Washington, or the match with Orlando. The defender refused to admit that he was injured, thereby refuting the official version of the club.
On Friday night, Snyder told ESPN: "We will exchange it. At some point, we have to come to terms with the fact that the current version does not work." King told reporters before the previous match that Iverson took a two-day pause due to injuries. “He could not play during training for two days, so we decided to do without him,” said Snyder. “Whether he will deal with the team in the near future, we will decide.”
Iverson objected.
“Throughout my career, even doctors could not make me stay away from events,” Allen said in a statement. “I always played, despite injuries and illnesses. I think everyone knows how much I love being on the court, competing and winning That is why it was so discouraging for me to hear that I would not play, realizing that I was completely ready. This is even more painful than hearing that I can not come at all. I always shared my feelings with my teammates, but continued to give all my best one hundred percent day by day . Obviously, it is not enough that our team won. "
Iverson never said so bluntly that he wanted to leave, even when on the day of the draft in June, his departure was closest to implementation. Then the Sixers tried to exchange a defender in the Celtics.
"I am grateful for everything that has happened in Philadelphia over the past 11 years. Fans have always stood up for me, they were ready to rush into the battle for me." It looked like Iverson's farewell words.