Covering Iverson

A PICTURE, they say, is worth a thousand words. But there are no words to describe the photo of Allen Iverson on the cover of the August issue of Slam magazine.

The Answer is sporting an old-school 'fro, a retro Sixers jersey, a large diamond stud and a long, thick necklace that adds 10 pounds to his nimble frame.

The headline of the special edition commemorating the magazine's 150th issue states: "Allen Iverson, Respect Due."

In an exclusive interview, the 36-year-old Iverson candidly discussed his past, and gave insight into how he would like his future to play out.

"A lot of people think I'm the biggest ass- in the world," Iverson said. "Until they meet me and talk to me, because it's a perception. Then they find out totally different."

The former Sixer, an 11-time NBA All-Star, said playing in Turkey last season was eye-opening.

"Not playing this year [in the NBA], it humbled me a whole lot," he said. "Because I'm a basketball player and I was taken away and not able to play on the biggest stage there is. It had me thinking a lot just about how to handle situations better than I had. I had to learn that this thing can be taken away from you . . .

"I want to finish my career out in the NBA, if that's possible. And that's in any capacity. I did a lot of things, I made a lot of mistakes as far as my actions and things that I've said, and I think that was the reason for me not being the NBA. My whole thing now in trying to get back is letting any organization know that's I'm willing to play any part that they want me to play."

When asked if he thought an NBA team would give him a chance, Iverson said: "I don't know . . . but . . . if it doesn't happen, I promise you I won't sit at home on my ass. I won't do that. I'll play for somebody."

- Tom Mahon

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