Allen Iverson presented the game ball in Game 6 at Philadelphia Sixers matchup against the Boston Celtics. He walked onto the court, handed the ball off to the refs and received a very warm welcome that caused him to almost tear up.
In a quick interview by ESPN's Lisa Salters, Iverson, who stayed for the game and was decked out in SIxers' gear, said he had to hurry off the court because his legs were shaking and eyes began to tear.
Sixers fan still have love and appreciation for the 1996-1997 Rookie of the Year. He spent 11 years with the Sixers, 12 counting his last season where he played 25 games before exiting from the NBA.
Iverson has played in Turkey and was offered very little money to play in Puerto Rico. The most recent Iverson related news was of an indoor soccer team offering him a deal. The man would consider anything! Well, as long as the price is right.
Though Iverson never declared for bankruptcy, the thought is that he is broke. He grossed over $154 million in the NBA but his immaturity cost him plenty of money off the court. He owed close to a million dollars to a jewelry company in Georgia and had to pay just over a quarter million dollars in damages after his bodyguard beat up a man as he idly watched in 2006.
As much as Iverson will be remembered for a killer crossover, his infamous "Practice?" reaction will always be associated with the ex-baller's poor attitude.
Despite the offcourt antics that have affected him financially and his attitude that upset coaches, Iverson will go down as one of the best basketball players in history and will forever be considered a trendsetter. He popularized cornrows and tattoos, while being heavily criticized for his controversial look.
Yesterday proved that fans appreciated what he did in Philly. He took them to the Finals in 2001 against the Los Angeles Lakers, a series they eventually lost in five games. In an interview by NBA TV analysts after yesterday's game, Iverson expressed missing those days and, in retrospect, wishes he had taken full advantage of the talents and opportunity he was given.
At the age of 36, it will be highly unlikey that any team will sign Iverson. Teams are trying to get younger at the guard position as more agile, versitile players are being developed and performing at a high level in the NBA.
Iverson is the 17th top scorer in NBA history with 24,368, sandwiched between Kevin Garnett and Patrick Ewing. From the looks of it, unless somebody is nice enough to give him a chance, that will be his final total.