Is Iverson the 'answer' for the Sixers this time?
KYLE REAVES
Issue date: 12/8/09 Section: Sports
The moment that all of Philadelphia
has been waiting for is finally
upon us as one of this city's favorite
athletes, Allen Iverson, has
signed to play for the 76ers for a
second time.
Although most people seem to
be excited for his return, which is
apparent by the spike in ticket
sales over the last few days, many
are skeptical on how well the 34-
year-old will play.
The last time the city saw Iverson
in a 76ers jersey was in the
06'-07' season, in which he averaged
31.2 points and 7.3 assists in
only 15 games before he was
traded to the Denver Nuggets.
Since leaving the city of brotherly
love, Iverson's production has
been on a decline.
His best season on another team
was in the 07'-08' season in which
he averaged 26 points per game.
He followed up that season with
his first sub 20 ppg average in
playing with both the Denver
Nuggets and the Detroit Pistons.
For a player who has had the type
of success that Iverson has enjoyed,
that has to be somewhat
discouraging.
Last year Iverson was forced out
of 28 games, which has a lot of
fans questioning his durability.
Although he insists that he has not
lost a step, many people would
rather see him prove this than
argue that he can.
Whether or not Iverson can still
play remains to be seen, but what
Sixers fans do know is that a
change is needed. As it stands
now, the Sixers are 5-14 and are in
the midst of an 8-game losing
streak. The team is currently in
13th place in the Eastern Conference.
Injuries to second-year man
Mareese Speights, starting point
guard Lou Williams, and big
ticket free agent acquisition Elton
Brand have left the Sixers relying
on second-stringers.With the Sixers
struggling on both sides of the
ball, a player who has led the
league in steals and points may be
just what the doctor ordered.
Iverson has a Hall of Fame caliber
resume. From the start he
has been waiting for is finally
upon us as one of this city's favorite
athletes, Allen Iverson, has
signed to play for the 76ers for a
second time.
Although most people seem to
be excited for his return, which is
apparent by the spike in ticket
sales over the last few days, many
are skeptical on how well the 34-
year-old will play.
The last time the city saw Iverson
in a 76ers jersey was in the
06'-07' season, in which he averaged
31.2 points and 7.3 assists in
only 15 games before he was
traded to the Denver Nuggets.
Since leaving the city of brotherly
love, Iverson's production has
been on a decline.
His best season on another team
was in the 07'-08' season in which
he averaged 26 points per game.
He followed up that season with
his first sub 20 ppg average in
playing with both the Denver
Nuggets and the Detroit Pistons.
For a player who has had the type
of success that Iverson has enjoyed,
that has to be somewhat
discouraging.
Last year Iverson was forced out
of 28 games, which has a lot of
fans questioning his durability.
Although he insists that he has not
lost a step, many people would
rather see him prove this than
argue that he can.
Whether or not Iverson can still
play remains to be seen, but what
Sixers fans do know is that a
change is needed. As it stands
now, the Sixers are 5-14 and are in
the midst of an 8-game losing
streak. The team is currently in
13th place in the Eastern Conference.
Injuries to second-year man
Mareese Speights, starting point
guard Lou Williams, and big
ticket free agent acquisition Elton
Brand have left the Sixers relying
on second-stringers.With the Sixers
struggling on both sides of the
ball, a player who has led the
league in steals and points may be
just what the doctor ordered.
Iverson has a Hall of Fame caliber
resume. From the start he
Be the first to comment on this story