Sixers take down Pistons in Detroit

Brand stars as 76ers top Pistons - Kate Fagan, Philly.com
Holding tight: Sixers hold off late push to snap skid - Larry Lage (AP) via CSNPhilly.com
Worst possible outcomes - TheArtistFormerlyKnownasMichaelBourne, Liberty Ballers

The Sixers made like the Flyers and picked up a win that nobody will pay attention to last night. Their win in Detroit gets them off a losing streak but will be an after thought for a couple reasons.

1. The Sixers still stink
2. Wins prevent the team from having more lottery balls in the NBA lottery
3. The Eagles lost last night

So the question is this; when is it time for the Sixers to tank the rest of their season? Will Allen Iverson skip the all-star game? He is currently second in fan voting, which is absurd.

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Sixers fire blanks at Wizards, Iverson to stay on board

Wizards shoot by Sixers - Kate Fagan, Philly.com
Vanishing act: Wizards rally to defeat Sixers - Dei Lynam, CSNPhilly.com

Another day, another loss for the home town NBA team. The Sixers let a healthy lead slip through their hands as the Washington Wizards completed a three game season sweep. How many teams get swept in a season by the Wizards AND Clippers?

How bad are the Wizards? Of their eleven wins this season, three have come against the Sixers. The Sixers now have the fourth worst record in the league. I'm not a basketball expert here, but doesn't this team have too much talent to only have won ten games this season? I am not claiming that the Sixers should be up at the top of the Eastern Conference with the Celtics or Cavaliers, but to be behind the Wizards, Pacers and Knicks?

Seems to me as though Eddie Jordan is not working out.

Oh and if you did not notice, extra credit to Philadelphia Inquirer Sixers beat reporter Kate Fagan.

Whether she came up with it or not, somebody on the Philly.com staff has a sense of humor. Gilbert Arenas of the Wizards is in the thick of a gun controversy within the team locker room, so after the Wizards defeated the Sixers the lead on the game recap had a play on words (pictured, right).

Iverson's contract with Sixers guaranteed for remainder of season - Sixers.com
For better or for worse, the team had to come to a decision yesterday on whether or not to keep Allen Iverson on the team for the remainder of the season. Perhaps in an attempt to stay in the news they opted to guarantee Iverson's contract for the rest of 2009-2010 season. If you ask me this is a good move. As poor as this team is playing, letting go of a franchise icon would not have gone over well with the fan base.

You know what would make basketball more interesting in Philadelphia? Crazy dunks from down town and basketballs that set the net on fire.

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Sixers pick up road victory in Portland

Allen Iverson returned to the court and brought the team a win. Getty Images

Iverson returns, Sixers win - Kate Fagan, Philly.com
Welcome back: Iverson returns, Sixers beat Blazers - AP report via CSNPhilly.com

I don't have much time to dive into the recaps of this game (I didn't watch it at all last night). Apparently Iverson played alright last night. Should I start him on my fantasy team soon? What did you think of the game?

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Sixers snap losing streak, beat Warriors

Andre Iguodala and the Sixers earned their first victory since Allen Iverson returned. Getty Images.

76ers snap 12-game losing skid against Warriors - Sixers.com
Sixers snap 12 game-skid with win over Warriors - Bob Cooney, Philly.com
Rebound: Sixers beat Warriors, snap 12-game skid - Dei Lynam, CSNPhilly.com
Sixers snap 12-game losing streak - jsams, Liberty Ballers

While the Flyers wee busy picking up a hard earned victory in Boston, the Sixers were busy trying to defend their home turf at the Wachovia Center. The Sixers finally got out of the losing column with the victory over a team that used to play in Philadelphia, the Warriors. Perhaps the proverbial monkey is off their backs but this team has a lot of work to do in order to compete in the division and the conference, let alone the entire NBA.

For Allen Iverson this was his first win in a Sixers uniform since November 24, 2007. The last Sixers win for Iverson came against the Chicago Bulls. Three games later Iverson was traded to the Denver Nuggets, starting the infamous Iverson Tour of the NBA before returning home.

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Sixers lose in Allen Iverson's return, video of player intros

Welcome home Allen Iverson. Now let's kiss this losing streak good-bye! Getty Images

Iverson's return to Sixers fun while it lasted, then Nuggets take over - Bob Cooney, Philly.com
A lift, then a loss - Kate Fagan, Philly.com
Reality check: Sixers fall in Iverson's return - Dei Lynam, CSNPhilly.com
Good start, bad finish: A.I.'s spark not enough - Gordie Jones, CSNPhilly.com
Iverson surely has heart but he needs legs - Sam Donnellon, Philly.com
A grand welcome home for a Sixers superstar - Phil Sheridan, Philly.com
Big crowd shows up to greet Iverson - Mike Mazzeo, Philly.com

How else can I say it? Seeing Allen Iverson suiting up in a Sixers uniform just seems right. People may not like him but I can honestly say that the only reason I ever really started caring about the Sixers is because of Iverson.

Having him back in Philadelphia may not produce an NBA Finals contender again, but they certainly have my interest back. Seeing him take the court for practices and for the player introductions really did give me some chills at times and I could not help but smile.

Too bad the team still came up with a loss, their tenth straight.

YouTube is a great resource as somebody was kind enough to upload the following video of the Sixers warm ups and player introductions. Most of you will want to check out the second video (player introductions - up to Iverson).




Not exactly sure why Iverson wasn't announced last, at least on this night. I guess the message is clear that this really is Andre Iguodala's team?

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Allen Iverson continues his Sixers career tonight

I know I will be watching in anticipation as Allen Iverson returns to the Sixers lineup tonight. I expect Iverson will be starting, which would make watching the pre-game player introductions worth watching. I do hope that Comcast Sportsnet will air the pre-game festivities for that moment.

The jersey is actually different from what we are familiar seeing Iverson wear with the Sixers, but you can not help but have a nostalgic feeling seeing #3 running around the court at the Wachovia Center.

Just for information purposes, Iverson ranks first and second in a number of franchise statistics.

Points

1. Hal Greer - 21,586
2. Allen Iverson - 19,583

Field Goals

1. Hal Greer - 8,504
2. Julius Erving - 7,237
3. Allen Iverson - 6,841

Steals

1. Maurice Cheeks - 1,942
2. Allen Iverson - 1,626
   Source: Sixers.com
   

Iverson holds the franchise records for most three point attempts (2,840) and three pointers made (877) as well as the one for most turnovers (2,605). Those numbers should speak to the high risk-high reward style of Iverson's play.

Time will tell if Iverson can make a serious dent in any of these franchise records. Will he be a starter for the remainder of the season? Will he even be here in a month or two? Who knows.

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Welcome Back Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson and a Sixers jersey, no matter the color, just looks right. Getty Images

Video courtesy of On the DL Podcast via YouTube

Ok let's get a couple things out there. I have seen some great press conferences this year in Philadelphia. From Michael Vick, Pedro Martinez, Chris Pronger, and anything involving Jimmy Rollins - nobody compares to the genuine compassion that Allen Iverson has when he talks about Philadelphia.

Iverson always understood the Philadelphia fan like nobody else in this town. Sure Rollins and a bunch of the Phillies have formed a special relationship with this city, but Iverson's bond with the Philadelphia fan is something special. He's not the guy that's going to score 40 points a night, but it is darn good to see him back wearing a Sixers uniform.

I like Placido Polanco too, but his press conference yesterday had nothing on Iverson's.

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At least they're not the Nets, Sixers lose

Eddie Jordan's team is now 5-14. AP photo

Thunder strike down the 76ers - Philly.com
Rolling thunder: Sixers lose eighth straight - CSNPhilly.com

With the team really battling right now the question remains how Allen Iverson's return will not only change the results on the court but how Iverson will fit in with the team. The Sixers have one more game without Iverson in the lineup. Iverson's first game back in a Sixers uniform is set for Monday night against Denver.



Iverson's humble homecoming - Phil Jasner, Philly.com
Iverson is Sixers' stumulus package - Mark Kram, Philly.com
Looking for answers: 76ers hope for boost from A.I. - Dei Lynam, CSNPhilly.com
Six questions on Answer's 76ers return - ESPN.com

The Iverson situation is fun to watch for a casual fan like me. But it will not hide the obvious flaws of the Sixers. They are not a good team right now but as I allude to in the title of this post, at least they are not the New Jersey Nets. Last night the Nets set an NBA record with their 18th straight loss to start the season. The Nets are creeping up on the Baltimore Orioles and their infamous 0-21 start.

Previous: It's official, Sixers sign Iverson - December 2, 2009

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It's official, Sixers sign Iverson

Do you hear what I hear?

Sixers agree to terms wiht Allen Iverson - Sixers.com
A.I. is back: Iverson, 76ers agree to terms - CSNPhilly.com
Allen Iverson accepts 76ers offer - ESPN.com

I quickly picked Iverson up in my fantasy basketball league.

How is the blogosphere reacting?

Allen Iverson officially returns to Philly - The 700 Level
A.I. is back in Philly: Iverson signs - All Things Philly Sports
Allen Iverson is once again a Sixer - I've Made a Huge Tiny Mistake
Iverson is a 76er again: Let the madness begin - Recliner GM

What are your thoughts on Iverson's return? I will definitely want to tune in Monday night for the first game. I imagine he would be starting, which should make the player introductions before the game worth watching itself.

Welcome back Iverson. May this be your last stop in your NBA career for better or worse.


For the record, I am not expecting THIS Iverson.

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No Kidd-ing, Sixers lose seventh straight

Jason Kidd scored 22 points and had 11 assists against the Sixers. Getty Images

Sixers can't get it done vs. Mavericks for seventh straight loss - Bob Cooney, Philly.com
Roadkill: Sixers drop seventh straight to Mavs - David Jiminez (AP), via CSNPhilly.com

Another tough loss for the home town ballers, this time losing to the Mavericks on the road. At least they made it close this time around, losing by two points to one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Of course the games are just a side show to the real topic on every one's mind in Philadelphia as the Allen Iverson circus continues to tease. Kate Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer is now saying that the Sixers are very likely to sign their former franchise player. Yesterday Iverson and his agent met with members of the Sixers, including GM Ed Stefanski and head coach Eddie Jordan and the group discussed the idea of bringing the next retired number home to Philadelphia for two hours.

Marc Stein of ESPN goes as far as saying that Iverson could be suited up in a Sixers jersey as early as Monday night against the Denver Nuggets. Talk about drama. The Sixers and the Iverson camp will deny this but Stein says it is all just a formality at this point;

But sources stressed to ESPN.com that plans behind the scenes have progressed to a level where Iverson's return is now regarded by both sides as far more likely than not. Although it remains unclear whether Iverson has the leverage to command anything more than a pro-rated share of the $1.3 million veterans' minimum, all indications late Monday suggested that only an unforeseen about-face by the Sixers could prevent Iverson from formally rejoining them by week's end.
- Marc Stein, ESPN December 1, 2009 (updated)

This is really interesting to watch. I have not been glued to watching one player since Roy Halladay.

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Sixers complete Wachovia Center sweep...for visitors

The Sixers lost at home, just like the Flyers yesterday. Getty Images

Grounded: Hawks hand Sixers fifth straight loss - CSNPhilly.com
Sixers fall to Hawks for fifth straight loss - Philly.com

But hey, at least Allen Iverson rumors have started up. At least that should give Sixers fans something to get excited about. Right?


76ers considering Iverson - Kate Fagan, Philly.com

Interesting to note the current poll results show that 77.5% of fans believe the Sixers should bring back the former star of the franchise. I have mixed feelings on it right now. I see the advantages and minuses from the basketball and economic business side of things.

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Allen Iverson calls it a career

Thanks for the memories!

Iverson's calling it a career - Philly.com
Report: Iverson set to retire - AP

The greatest show in Philadelphia in my lifetime officially called it quits on Wednesday. Allen Iverson, "The Answer", reportedly announced his retirement form the game of basketball.

I am not ready to say he is officially done as I would think that there is a decent possibility that a few teams will inquire about him before the season is over. However, it speaks volumes when not even the New York Knicks show an interest in you.

But I am not here to rip on the most exciting Philadelphia athlete I have ever watched. you know I am a huge fan of Donovan McNabb, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and DeSean Jackson, but none of them can come close to the buzz that I got when watching Iverson play.

Say what you will about his defense and his philosophy on practicing, but nobody can deny that he gave his all when he stepped on the basketball court. I will always remember his performance in the 2001 NBA playoffs. Iverson took the team on his back and carried them to the NBA Finals where the little engine that could just could not power his team past one of the best NBA dynasties in recent memory.

Iverson ends his career having averaged 27.0 points per game(tied for fifth all time), 24,020 points (17th all time), and 1,965 steals (12th all time). Is he a Hall of Famer? Probably. But one thing is for sure. The number three will be raised to the rafters in the Wachovia Center some day.

Eric Lindross may have been the man who built the Wachovia Center, but Iverson gave it electricity.

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Allen Iverson to the Memphis Grizzlies?

I'm sorry but this just is not right.

Allen Iverson is going to play with the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Sixers are going nowhere. They should have made an offer to Iverson to play out his final days, especially with the Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers all making big moves themselves in the past couple months.

I mean, I guarantee I would be more interested in the Sixers if Iverson had returned. Wouldn't you?

Good luck to Iverson with Memphis.

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