Sixers coach downplays Iverson return
Last Updated: Sunday, November 29, 2009 | 7:40 PM ET
The Associated Press
Sixers coach Eddie Jordan says he hasn't talked to Allen Iverson, pictured, about bringing him out of retirement. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)Allen Iverson is generating plenty of talk about a possible return to the Philadelphia 76ers, but coach Eddie Jordan said Sunday that's all there is to it right now.
"I have not been oversaturated with Allen Iverson in my mind or in conversations with our front office," Jordan said. "It's like any other free agent out there. We've talked about a number of people."
Speaking to reporters before Sunday's game against the Spurs, Jordan acknowledged Iverson has been discussed — a change from comments made hours earlier, when Jordan said after shootaround that he certainly "had not talked to anyone about Allen Iverson."
Jordan earlier said the speculation was "probably more in the media than it actually is." He said before the game Iverson was the most intriguing available free agent, but re-emphasized that the Sixers have not decided to add any players.
Philadelphia arrived in San Antonio on a five-game losing streak and point guard Lou Williams is expected to be out eight weeks after undergoing jaw surgery.
"We want to see how our depth will work out for us," Jordan said. "We want to bring Elton [Brand] back, and that helps us. We'll go from there."
When Iverson announced his plans to retire earlier this week, his statement hardly sounded like his mind was made up. Saying there is "a whole lot left in my tank," Iverson said he felt strongly he could still compete "at the highest level."
A person with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press on Saturday that the Sixers were approached about signing Iverson and that team management had internal discussions about bringing Iverson back to the city where he spent 10-plus seasons.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because talks have not been made public, said Iverson is among the free-agent candidates the Sixers are considering to replace Williams.
Jordan, however, said he doesn't think the Sixers necessarily need to sign anyone.
Backcourt isn't the problem: Jordan
Jordan said Philadelphia's biggest problem isn't the backcourt but the absence of Brand, who has missed consecutive games with a sore right hamstring. The Sixers entered Sunday's game at 5-11, tied for the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference.
Rookie Jrue Holiday has started at point guard since Williams went out and has played nearly as many minutes the past two games as his first 10. Jordan says Holiday, whom the Sixers took with the 17th pick in the draft, has shown plenty of promise.
Brand said players have talked about Iverson, and that he would welcome him to the team.
"We have some young talent, but we need wins," Brand said. "If we were winning, we could kind of test it. But we kind of need to right the ship now, we feel, just for the fans and our own psyche. That may be the issue here."
Iverson has made it clear he doesn't want to come off the bench. He would start over Holiday for now, but it's not clear where Iverson would fit in once Williams returns.
Iverson is a 10-time All-Star and was the NBA MVP in 2001, when he led the Sixers to the NBA Finals. Philadelphia traded him to Denver in 2006 and he played for the Nuggets until early last season, when he was traded to Detroit.
Iverson signed with Memphis this season but played in only three games before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.
