Allen Iverson was in a jovial mood at Tuesday's introductory press conference in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)Toronto fans won't get their first look at Allen Iverson in his new duds when the Detroit Pistons visit the Raptors on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET).
Iverson was the focal point of Monday's blockbuster trade that sent the explosive scorer to Detroit for fellow guard Chauncey Billups, forward Antonio McDyess and work-in-progress Cheikh Samb.
However, Iverson's availability against the Raptors rested on Billups and Samb taking their respective physicals in Denver.
Since both players have yet to complete their physicals, all participants involved in the deal must remain on the sidelines.
Iverson, a former league MVP, said he wants to play as soon as he can.
"I'm just ready to go," Iverson said at Wednesday's shootaround in Toronto. "Hopefully everything gets taken care of … and I'll be able to get on the court with my team and try to learn these plays as fast as possible."
Billups and Samb aren't expected to join the Nuggets until Thursday, while McDyess's status is uncertain amid talk that his contract will be bought out and he'll become a free agent.
McDyess was reportedly upset by the trade, and he could return to Detroit after the league's mandatory 30-day waiting period following a buyout.
The Raptors won't have to deal with Iverson, who has a history of torturing Toronto. The nine-time all-star and former MVP led the 76ers past Vince Carter and the Raptors in the 2001 playoffs.
Iverson excited for practice?
The fearless six-footer, whose best years came with Philadelphia from 1996 to 2007, looked happy to be back in a northeast basketball hotbed during his introductory press conference in Detroit on Tuesday.
A.I. seemed particularly pleased at the prospect of playing alongside all-stars Richard Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace, along with Olympian Tayshaun Prince.
"Throughout my career, I've been double- and triple-teamed a lot," Iverson said. "With this squad, it will be hard for teams to do that."
Maligned in the past for his shoot-first-ask-questions-later mentality, the notoriously headstrong shooting guard even suggested he's willing to embrace the Pistons' all-for-one approach.
"I've tried it my way plenty of times… and it hasn't been done," Iverson said. "Maybe there are things I'll have to change."
He added: "One thing is for sure, I'm going to do whatever the coach wants me to do."
"Even practice?" Dumars asked in mock surprise.
"Practice?!" Iverson replied loudly with a broad smile, using the word he repeated a couple dozen times during an oft-replayed press conference in 2002 in Philadelphia.
Calderon, Bosh lead perfect start
The Raptors and Detroit share 3-0 records.
Toronto opened the season with wins at Philadelphia and at home against Golden State, before making it three in a row with Saturday night's 91-87 victory at Milwaukee.
Point guard Jose Calderon scored a career-high 25 points — including a crucial three-pointer that gave the Raptors the lead with 40 seconds left — and added nine assists.
Forward Chris Bosh chipped in 20 points and 10 rebounds, helping him capture Eastern Conference player of the week honours after averaging 26 points and 10 rebounds in Toronto's 3-0 start.
The Raptors begin a three-game road trip Friday in Atlanta. They visit Charlotte on Sunday (CBC, 1 p.m. ET) and defending NBA champion Boston on Monday.
With files from the Associated Press
