HANG TIME SOUTHWEST – Donnie Nelson offered Allen Iverson a potential lifeline back to the NBA. The Answer has answered: No thanks.
As first reported Monday by ESPN.com’s Marc Stein, Nelson, co-owner of the D-League Texas Legends and president of basketball operations for the Legends’ NBA affiliate Dallas Mavericks, offered Iverson a chance to get back in the game.
Iverson, 37, has been seeking a path back to the NBA, but through his Twitter account on Tuesday, he made it known that he doesn’t want that path to go through the NBA Development League as some other veteran players have done successfully.
I thank Donnie and Dallas for the consideration and while I think the D-League is a great opportunity, it is not the route for me.—
Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) January 29, 2013
Iverson doesn’t say which route he would prefer to get back in the NBA. He’s had opportunities to make good money in China but has passed. A direct route seems preferred, but it’s one that has not materialized.
He last played in the league in 2009-10 for the Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers. After making his intentions clear not to join the Legends — they play in Frisco, located about 30 minutes north of Dallas — Iverson offered a series of tweets:
I realize my actions contributed to my early departure from the NBA, should God provide me another opportunity I will give it my all—
Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) January 29, 2013
My dream has always been to complete my legacy in the NBA—
Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) January 29, 2013
To my fans, I love yall! Not a day goes by that I am not asked when am I coming back, we all must accept my return is not up to just me.—
Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) January 29, 2013
The Legends just helped veteran guard Mike James get back to the NBA. After signing a pair of 10-day contracts with the Mavericks, the club opted to sign him for the remainder of the season. The D-League team is also on the verge of suiting up Delonte West as he hopes to play his way back into the league after being released by Dallas for poor behavior prior to the season.
Iverson sits at No. 19 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, having just been passed at No. 18 by Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki. A.I. has 24,368 points over 14 seasons. He spent his first 10-plus seasons with Philadelphia before being traded to Denver during the 2006-07 season.
He averaged 26.4 points for the Nuggets in 2007-08 and was moved to Detroit the following season.
If Iverson truly hopes to add to his career point total, he’s going to have to swallow his pride and take whichever circuitous rout is offered, even it means being a marketing tool for a D-League operation.
Otherwise, he seems out of options.
PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE!!!
No matter who else they add on-CELTICS-HORAAH-UBUNTU!!!
If a team does sign AI, just add in his contract & make sure he knows that as soon as he stops showing up for work w/o a dire family emergency he’s gone no questions. There are way too many good players out there that are starving for the chances that AI had.
CELTICS-HORAAH-UBUNTU!!!
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Michael Jordan
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Charles Barkley
C: Shaquille O’Neal
Magic
Kobe
Jordan
Dwight
Shaq
@ keevan123. Its a disgrace to Jordan to put him on the same list as Dwightmare the weak.
The Heat Should Get a Go At Him.. I Mean Why Not Besides They Can Practically Get Anyone They Want. If Allen Wants To Win A Championship Thats The Way To Go And The Heat Can Use Him Alot.
Just goes to show you whether you’re big or small, egos can make you seem larger than life. I think his ego and pride has always been Iverson’s downfall….
AI is nuclear, and he can’t be any other way. That is the reason why he’s blackballed. He’s nothing but a headache, and his skills didn’t make up for that 3 years ago, much less now. AI on the Celts or any other team won’t make them anything but a circus. He’ll go with the program for like a week. And then he’ll start complaining. That’s what happened in Det and Mem. He was in a contract year in Det making almost 20 mil, and he STILL acted a fool. His last stint in Philly, he just stopped coming to work. He burnt all his bridges and then some. An offer to play in the D League was a GIFT. And that was his last and best shot to get back to the NBA. AI is done. The league doesn’t need him and they moved on 3 years ago.
I cant choose 5 players and say this is the best team ever. I can choose 3 from each position though, not in any particular order
Magic/stockton/nash
Jordan/kobe/reggie
Lebron/oscar robertson/larry bird
Tim duncan/bill russel/karl malone
Shaq/wilt/david robinson
This is not a starting lineup of magic jordan lebron duncan shaq.. There is no particular order in any position. How can one compare jordan and kobe, lebron or larry, shaq or wilt, duncan or russel?? I mean it just doesnt make sense to compare, different era, different style, different time…
People have to accept the fact that AI, as great as you used to be, is no longer The Answer ! And this has to start with AI himself dealing with the fact that he’s not the same player he was 5-6 years ago. He was still the great player we all know when he played for the Nuggets, and as much as you can be a prima donna in your prime, you have to turn it down a notch when you can no longer deliver and you couldn’t even make it in….Turkey, when you made an attempt to play. AI is just a name now and with all scouts and experts in the NBA, if he still had what it takes to compete at the highest level, I believe he’d already be playing on a team. But AI is too proud to accept he got old and if he wants another shot at the NBA, it will most definitely be as a role player and a 6th/7th man. The D-League opportunity he’s getting is a blessing and instead of hoping that God will give him an opening in the NBA, he should just seize that opportunity while a D-League team still believes in him !
hes good but hes an oldy
if he repalces rondo , he will still be the best in the game
Life is not fair, but this everyone already knows; we should else know that AI is baller. He might not a shot caller anymore, but AI can still ball.
I think it a good decision to make cause a.i can actually come back and prove his skills am work his way back to the top.
Life is not fear, but this everyone already knows. The other thing everyone should else know is that AI is a baller. He might not be a shot caller anymore, but Ai can still ball.
Ai is to old to play again. he need to give up
i want to see these guys playing together
PG- iverson
SG- Manny pacquiao
C- Hulk
PF- Spiderman
PF- Mayweather
YOU TALKING BOUT PRACTICE?
D-League for AI is a slap in the face , if he is healthy he can lift superb of his game like his old days!
Go to Boston? Absolutely not! We don’t need his attitude alround regardless of play. I’d rather see the Celtics miss the finals then have him around mucking things up. You can see his attitude hasn’t changed at all. Here he is 3 years later and he just thinks he’s going to waltze back into the League like they’ve just been waiting for him all along. Then when he see he has to jump through some hoops to prove he can still play he bugs out. What makes him think he can call the shots? If he could have just swallowed his ego for a bit maybe the NBA would work with him. Sorry but that speaks enough for me, the league doesn’t need him back.
I love AI but his calf muscle wouldn’t hold up, If he got signed today he’d be on sick leave by all star break, He was very good but it’s over now…….
He’ll never play in the league again. He’s too old, and hasn’t even come close to playing at the NBA level in years. He would get steamrolled. What’s he worth anyway? A 2 yr contract max until he’s almost 40? No one in their right minds would sign him.
Come on 76ers!!! Let him retire in your franchise, give him a shot
Hey guys…. A.i needs to come back and play for the heats..that’s the only way to get a championship ring
GIVE IVERSON A CHANCE SOMEBODY HE STILL HAS ALOT LEFT IN THE TANK… KNICKS HEAT SIGN HIM
McGee, Scalabrine XD
PG-pacquiao
SG-mayweather
SF-cotto
PF-tyson
C-holyfield
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Michael Jordan
SF: Lebron James
PF: Scottie Pippen
C: Shaquille O’neal
he could suit for the C’s for the remainder of the season.
pretty sure Doc can handle him nicely.
i think some team must give him 6 month contract or something like this, if he plays well and so one and so one, i think some teams will be interested in him
The NBA is a first and foremost a job. Being paid millions of dollars a year, the franchises demand their players to fulfill their contract terms, such as participating in practise. Allen could obviously not be bothered. And got kicked out. Did he really think he’d end up scoring 30 per game at 40 years of age and not coming off the bench. Get a grip Allen. D-League or nothing, you’re not exactly young anymore. You misbehaved and got kicked out, like you deserved. This could be your chance, don’t act like a diva, you sure as hell have no right.
All the people that are saying for AI to go to Boston that would be nice too see but what is Iverson’s game like these days we havn’t seen him play 4 years or so AND what happens when Rondo is healthy and ready to play again next season?!?!?
PLEASE IVERSON COME BACK THE LEAGUE NEEDS YOU!!!
I really don’t see why he wont play in the D-League. When was the last time he played a competitive game of basketball in any league? Does he really tlhink that he could keep up with anyone in the NBA? I’m nearly certain that his conditioning wouldn’t even allow him more than 20 minutes in a game. Working with a D-League team might actually help him get to a level where he could impress a team with a 10 day and even make him a little bit of cash in the process. Might even show him the light in that he is just not good enough anymore to start for a team. I still wouldn’t want him on my team – the third string PG on my home team is ranked better than AI on USBasket.com. Who knows how acurate that is, but it kid of shows that his current ability wouldn’t help any NBA team right now.
A.i is my #1 answer
my team
pg A iverson
sg M jordan
sf L james
pf B griffin
C S O’neal
MY DREAM TEAM
PG-John Stockton
Sg-Kobe Bryant
Sf- Lebron James
Pf- Tim Duncan
C-Bill Russell or Big wilt
“PRACTICE, WE’RE TALKING ABOUT PRACTICE”! Will he go to them?
i think his pride is getting on his way back to the nba
Iverson is one of my favourite players, but i think he doesen’t want to go to d-league cause he wont even dominate there anymore.. Have you seen hes latest videos on china? Him and other former-nba players are ruining that league (i know theres not much to ruin, but still just check it out on youtube)..
AI to Celtics! KG and Paul will have good games with AI making the plays. Celtics the Champs!
Magic
MJ
LEBRON
HAKEEM
SHAQ
What we are seeing here is the same Allen Iverson. Same arrogant and proud former NBA veteran who thinks he is better than everyone else. Yes, he may be a former league MVP but his glory days are far gone. Still the same arrogant player. If he really wants to go back in the NBA and wants to be back in shape, he must first the take step and that is playing in the D-League. It would be ridiculous to play right away after a long hiatus. If he really wants to prove himself that he still belongs to the NBA, he must first play in the D-League to say the least. ‘Nuff said.
My dream team is
Stockton
Kobe
Jordan
Malone
Shaq
i dont think AI needs to play in D-League to get back to the NBA, he’s a former NBA MVP, multiple all star appearances, All NBA several times in his career and etc. I believe Rasheed Wallace didnt play in D-League to get back to the NBA, and he’s playing well for the knicks when he’s not injured. I think, AI deserves better than D-League. He just needs to get his confidence back and surely he can still make a spark in the NBA if there’s a team that would sign him without bringing him down to D-League. I believe AI should stick with his pride.
His decision is absolutely nonsense … this was a big chance and he kicked it. IDIOT!
I feel that Dallas or any other team in need of a potent pointguard would have given him a chance if he put up solid numbers in the D-League.
@Jason
“Peja, Webber, Bibby, Divac, and Christie – the perfect team.”
.
.
that was the best lineup the Sacramento Kings ever had (a championship caliber team, no doubt).
If Allen Iverson were to play for the Miami Heat for whatever reason, I would start cheering for them instead of booing them.
Peja, Webber, Bibby, Divac, and Christie – the perfect team.
OMG! I really don’t get it. I believe without a doubt that, one of the greatest point guard in the NBA ALLEN IVERSON, can still play. If Jason Kidd,Vince Carter,Steve Nash,Grant Hill, KOBE BRYANT can, ALLEN IVERSON sure can too. SOME organization or some team in the NBA league, PLEASE GIVE ALLEN IVERSON A CHANCE! I know for a fact that there is so many teams out there that doesn’t have a good point guard. So why not pick up Allen Iverson!?!? Not only, he might be able to make the team better but also, make some money, by selling more tickets. I mean, with one of my favorite players, Rajon Rondo, being out. The Boston Celtics could really use a GOOD POINT GUARD! Come on NBA! BRING ALLEN IVERSON BACK!
PG=Westbrook
SG=MJ
SF=Pippen
PF=Rodman
C=Shaq
2nd string= AI,KD,Wilkins,Shawn Kemp,Mutumbo
Allen for Manor. Man I’d even give up Kmart for AI. AI could come off the bench instead of martin. He can play SG no problem. That would be so sweet to have him back in the nba. I’d be pumped even if thunder didn’t get him. As long as he didn’t go to the g@y lakers or heat.
Real Dream Team
Sam Bowie
Milicic
kwame brown
oden
araujo
bargnani
shawn bradley
olowakandi
adam morrison
coach – jim todd
LOL HahA :D
The article makes a good point about Iverson’s reputation and perhaps having to go the d-league route but there are many struggling teams that could use a backup point guard and also it would be good PR move for a team with poor attendance and a poor record. A ten day contract wouldn’t be much risk for a team if Iverson would be willing to do it which he may not.
I like your dream teams guys cant go wrong with any of them. here is mine
Back court-
Chris Paul
Michael Jordan
Front court-
Lebron James
Hakeem Olajuwon
Bill Russell
That would be some beasty defense wouldn’t it?
Pity he was stopped short with his career. All comes down to 1 thing
ATTITUDE
Would he even be bothered with practice!
He is a ball hog and will be a cancer to any team that signs him.
so is sprewell.
I want Sprewell back in the league. Plus Marbury, Steve Francis and J.R. Rider. :)
Boston is about to start rebuilding after the rondo injury, the last thing u want in ur locker room is a guy known for misbehaviour like Iverson. I love him, he is one of my all time top players, but no, he is not a good fit for the C’s. The mavs would not have too much use of him either, as they allready have a pretty deep team, they just need a star.
The team where I think AI could make a difference is Cleveland, as they lack outside slashers outside of Kyrie, and they really dont have to much to loose.
But a contender team like Miami, LAL, LAC, or NY would not fit for him. They would not have a use for him, except maybe LAL
IVERSON IS THE BEST OF THE BEST IKNO HE IS OLD BUT HE STILL GOOD GIVE HIM A CHANCE BUT PLZ I WILL LUV HIM TO GO TO KNICKS HE WILL WIN A RING…. PG.IVERSON SG.SHUMPERT SF.ANTHONY PF.AMARE C.CHANDLER. SUB.PG FELTON SG.JR SMITH SF.NOVAK PF.WALLACE C.CAMBY GOD PLZ HELP MY DREAM THIS WOULD B AWSOME PLAY AT MSG OMG …..BUT IKNO HE MAY GO TO CELTIC THEY NEED HIM BUT HE NO GONNA WIN A RING THERE :(
Real dream Team
PG. Magic
SG. Bryant
SF. Lebron
PF. Nowitzki
C. Shaq
Now if u dont think thts a real dream team u fell off and bumped ur head! got the facilitator magic, got the greatest scorer EVER bryant, One of the best all of round players Lebron, even though kobe would kill him 1 on 1 and kobe is my fav ever, than one big man who can shoot and create shots for himself Nowitzki, Then the greatest center and scariest big men to guard Shaq!
he put it right, swallow youre pride ai!
NOOOOO IVERSON TO CELTICS!!!! Team chemistry has been bad enough lately.
PG: stockton
SG: jordan
SF: Kobe (i would never bring him off the bench, he won a championship at the 3; 2009)
PF: duncan
C: shaq
2nd team:
PG: magic
SG: miller
SF: bird
PF: olajuwon
C: the captain
3rd team:
PG: jason kidd
SG: drexler
SF: lebron
PF: karl malone
C: david robinson
Magic johnson is a starter so change that up bruh
IVERSON TO CELTICS….PLEASE!~
I think that AI would be a great addition to any team. I dont feel like the D League is for players with his skill and talent. He revolutionized the cross over, has a huge fan base and bottom line, a team signing him would be a great economic move….Even if he plays just a couple of minutes per game.
it would be nice to see iverson, nowitzki and carter in the mavs
He should come back at least for practice… I mean not for a D-Leage game but for practice
To be honest i think it is pretty stupid that iverson doesn’t want accept that offer. How is he earning money
I LUV IVERSON & RIGHT ABOUT NOW DA CELTICS NEED TO PICK HIM UP DUE TO RONDO OUT FOR DA SEASON, RONDO MY FAV POINT GUARD I CRY WEN I HEARD BOUT HIS INJURY & I DNT WANT MY CELTICS TO GO DOWN DA DRAIN SO THEY NEED DA ANSWER=ALLEN IVERSON TO JOIN DA TEAM ASAP
GRAMMER? COME ON PEOPLE IM 13 AND I HAVE BETTER GRAMMER!
Grammer? Did you mean grammar? You’re 13 and should know better if that’s what you meant. This is a disgrace especially if you’re a native english speaker.
grammar*
You keep telling people to work on their grammar. How about you work on your spelling?
Haha! Schooled by a middleshooler :p
Grammar buddy, not grammer :P
*Grammar
im a native Spainard and can speak French and learning english :D :P
We talking bout D-League! Not the actual game, but D-League! We talkin’ bout D-League. Not the game, where it matters, but D-League. On a side note, we talkin bout D-League.
Dream Team
Pg-K
Sg-O
Sf-B
Pf-E
C-Shaq
Winning.
Yea A.I. should keep it,because he is great player! He doesn’t deserve to be in D-League,c’mon. He is too good. It would be awesome if he would bring back good Phily times
iverson doesn’t need to come back, he’s already a hall of famer. and he shouldn’t be in the freggen D league, just like he shouldn’t have been comin off the bench in Detroit or memphis
Go to the Celtics!! now!!!
Yes!!!!!!
A future hall of famer (in his time) being kicked out, and after 3 years offering to play in Dleague? Mike James? Who is mike james, we are talking about Allen Iverson goddamit, Allen THe Answer Iverson 19th alltime scoring, a spectacular guy. Bringing up mike james seems absurd when we are talking about allen
atleast invite him to ur training facilities and let him train for a week or another, see his current shape and if he can truly play another season or two.
Oh wait, i heard the greens are desperate for a pg, oh wait allen is a pg…god please make my dream come true…
A.I.
HIS OLD ENUF FOR TO PLAY FOR THE NBA.
ITS NEW GENERATION NOW A DAYS.
U HAD UR TYM MAN!
Kurt Thomas
Grant Hill. Jason Kidd. Steve Nash. Marcus Camby. Ray Allen. Chauncey Billups. Kevin Garnett.
paul pierce, kobe bryant, rasheed wallace, pablo prigioni, need more?
GRAMMER?
Allen iverson was the most look up player in the nba that I always looked up to when i was growing up yea his 37 but he till have it in him but he need to do what he have to do to come back and if he love his fans like he say he do he would do what he have to do to come back I Belive in him I hope he take the offer so all of he’s fans dreams would come true.
He could not play in Turkey, and now he wants spot in All Star team or what… if he really wanted to get back in NBA he would accept this, and if he`s so good, he would be in NBA week after… just big story for nothing.
I still dont understand AI, just take that chance Please, please, pleaae FROM ANGOLA!!!
Maybe they want to see something, if you really can change something, please, please, please take that chance AI go there and let everybody see, that you’re in the wrong league!!!
i’d love to see him play with KG and i also wanted AI to win a ring (too bad the Sixers lost in the 2001 NBA Finals)..
here goes my dream team
PG – Allen Iverson
SG – Tracy McGrady
SF – Vince Carter
PF – Chris Webber
C – Kevin Garnett
I like your dream team my would be
PG- Jason Kidd
SG- Vince Carter
SF- Tracy McGrady
PF- Tim Duncan
C- Yao Ming
PG – Stockton
SG – Carter
SF – Pippen
PF – K. Malone
C – D. Robinson
obviously left some fairly big names off that list (Magic, Bird. MJ, Wilt, Bill Russel, Kareem, you get the point)
horrible dream team….1 ring here is mine
1. magic -PG
2.jORDAN-SG
3.BIRD-SF
4.DUNCAN-PF
5.KAREEM-C……..
ENOUGH SAID
no not enough said
pg Magic
sg MJ
sf LeBron
pf Bird
c Wilt
PG – MAgIc
SG – MJ
SF – LEBRON
PF – OLAJUWAN
C – SHAQ
+1, will probaly have to pick 1 b/w johnson and lebron, no one would be able to take on a quick guard with this line up.
pg Magic/stockton
sg MJ
sf LBJ
pf KD/bird
c kareem/hakeem/wilt
#1iverson
#2jr smith
#3anthony
#4amare
#5chandler
My dream hope iverson on knicks trade kidd n prigioni plz god helped me
How could you all leave bill russell off yo dream teams?
as much as I love Bill Russel, his game won’t be able to keep up with the new bigs of today and of how the NBA is being officiated… Prime Stockton, Prime MJ, Prime LBJ, Prime Olajuwon and Prime Shaq would be my pick.. I chose Stockton over Magic because the team already has LBJ and MJ on it… another point forward would surely ruin their chemistry.. plus lets face it, Stockton is a better 3pt shooter than Magic.. You don’t want to build a team without 3pt shooters wouldn’t ya??
My dream team:
Mr. Smith
Jr. Smith
Ms. Smith
Joe Smith
Lolo Smith
C’Mon
PG Stephon Marbury
SG Allen Iverson
SF Dominique Wilkins
PF Shawn Kemp
C Manute Bol
oh here’s a dream team with no #1 guy:
PG – Joe Dumars
SG – Manu Ginobli
SF – Scottie Pippen
PF – Kevin Mchale
C – Ben Wallace
This could win a title :)
is it possible for AI to play with the C’s?
IF a team gets interested in Iverson, his return will depend on his basketball shape and body. if the guy cant make an outside shot because he havent play in a long time, forget it. i think that’s why he doesnt want to join the Dleague- it might prove that he is not in Shape.
He doesn’t want to play in the d-league because an NBA great and former MVP with a 14 year career to state his case doesn’t need a development league to prove what he can do.
enough said by rj
A former MVP with a 14 year career and hasn’t played in several years is exactly why he NEEDS to prove he can still do, what he thinks he can do to get what he thinks he deserves. If your going on past glory RJ then why dont you lobby for Magic, Jordan, and Shaq to return, all former MVP’s with long careers.
Iverson shouldnt have to take the D league route. There are too many examples of NBA players that werent as good as AI who havent. The CAVS are looking at Greg Oden! Really? Why not have Oden go play a few games in D league to test his legs? Brandon Roy?! Come on. Plenty of players play on 10 day contracts. Things dont work out, the contract isnt renewed. No doubt, even at 37, Iverson can give a team an explosive ~20 mpg.
AI is still doomed by past behavior and Im not sure he really would come off the bench for a team in a reduced role…
Would love to see A.I play in NBA. If he wants to really play, then he should consider no matter what route it is to get him there.
If he won’t do D league and we know no one will risk a 1 year contract on him…his only option is to find a team willing to offer him a 10-day contract. Will he take a 10 day? If not, he will never play in the league again.
damn right!
AI still thinks he’s bigger than anyone else. He’s just bad news. As a coach, he’s a nightmare. He already left the league because he didn’t want to play from the bench.
Celtics need somebody. Mav’s need somebody.
They need Rondo
Rondo is out you idiot they need him
1. Magic
2. Pistol Pete
3. Jordan
4. Mailman
5. Shaq