Report: Iverson to retire

by PSB Staff

Wednesday November 25, 2009 

Report: Iverson to retire thumbnail

So this is how it ends.

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Steven A. Smith is reporting that Allen Iverson is set to retire.

If he goes through with it, the future Hall of Famer will be leaving a game that seems to no longer want him.

A prolific scorer throughout his NBA career, Iverson gained a reputation as a selfish player and clubhouse cancer over the last few seasons.

While with the Sixers Iverson put fans in the seats every night, as he was always a threat to go for 40-50 points. Sixers fans will likely never forget the crossover move he put on Michael Jordan, a move that symbolized Iverson’s ready for the big time.

The issue throughout Iverson’s career was if he made the players around him better. Allen loved to shoot the ball – passing was another story.

If this is indeed the end of Iverson’s career it would be a shame. Younger fans will only know the selfish Iverson who refused to come off the bench for the Pistons, leading them to send him home late in the season, and then having the same happen with the Grizzlies after just a handful of teams.

And now it looks like no one in the NBA wants Iverson.

What a contrast from his great years in Philly.

Iverson was drafted by the Sixers in 1996 and played 10 seasons for them, leading them to the NBA Finals in 2001.

For his career, Iverson will finish as the sixth highest scorer per game in NBA history, with a 27.0 average. He also won a Rookie of the Year award and four scoring titles.

Iverson also played for the Nuggets, Pistons and for a few games, the Grizzles.

We will know more on the story over the next day or two and whether or not this is simply a ploy by Iverson to try and draw interest from a contender or if he is sincere.

So will you remember Iverson the All-Star who brought excitement to Philadelphia basketball or as the guy who couldn’t put his ego aside and help a team as a role player?

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