Infuriated at the notion that he might be traded and hurt by his coach’s recent comments about his work ethic, Allen Iverson pledged yesterday to return to the 76ers, with Larry Brown at his side.
But what was supposed to be an upbeat occasion following a successful meeting with his coach turned combative as Iverson ranted about everything from trade rumors to criticism of his practice habits to his being the Sixers' franchise player.
In a half-hour session televised live, Iverson grew emotional as he lashed out - sometimes in expletive-laced responses - over the hurt he says he and his family have endured because of the constant trade rumors.
"It hurts, because I know I'm better than that," Iverson said of the possibility of being traded to another NBA franchise."I know I do all I can for this city, for this team, for this franchise, for my teammates. I don't think nobody in the world plays harder than me. And for me to go through this is just tough, man.
"I'm tired," Iverson continued."I'm tired. I always said - everybody in Philadelphia knows, all y'all know - I want to be here. That ain't no secret. Everybody knows I want to be a Sixer for the rest of my career, but I'm tired. I'm hurt, too. I'm hurt, too."
After high preseason expectations, the Sixers saw their season end Friday with a first-round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics. On Saturday, Brown met with all the Sixers players, except for Iverson, who chose not to meet with his coach.
Afterward, Brown criticized Iverson's practice habits and work ethic. Brown said any of the Sixers could be traded.
Yesterday, Brown, Iverson and Sixers general manager Billy King met at the First Union Center. Brown pledged to return to the franchise he has coached for five seasons, Iverson said. And Iverson pledged to return to the franchise for which he has played the last six seasons.
The Sixers then held Iverson's news conference at the Center early in the evening.
Neither King nor Brown would comment last night on Iverson, although Brown will have a news conference today.
'I'm coming back'
Asked if Brown, also the Sixers' director of player personnel, told Iverson he would be back playing for the Sixers next season, Iverson said: "Hell, yeah, I'm coming back."
Asked again if he asked Brown whether he would be back, Iverson was indignant.
"Did I ask? Did I ask him? " Iverson said."I had to ask my coach if I'm coming back? I'm going nowhere. And Larry Brown ain't going nowhere. Yeah, he told me that."
Iverson, who last year was named most valuable player in the NBA, railed on the possibility of being traded.
“I’m the MVP, and I got to worry about trade talk,” he said.”I’m the MVP. I’m the MVP. That’s me. I’m the best basketball player in the world - in the world - I was honored with the MVP. . . . and when I lose, this is what I’ve got to go through.”
Iverson was devastated before by trade talks. In the summer of 2000, the Sixers tried to deal him to another team but could not.
After that summer, Iverson regrouped to win the NBA's MVP honor and lead the Sixers to the NBA Finals, in which they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Disappointing season
After delaying elbow surgery until mid-September, Iverson missed training camp and the first five games of the season. He also missed the final 14 regular-season games after suffering a broken bone in his left hand.
The Sixers finished the season 43-39. Iverson led the league in scoring for the second consecutive season, averaging a career-high 31.4 points, but could not lead the Sixers into the second round of the playoffs.
If Iverson and Brown cleared the air yesterday, it seemed many issues remained unresolved.
Asked about his practice habits, Iverson laughed.
"If I can't practice, I can't practice," Iverson said."If I'm hurt, I'm hurt. I mean, it's as simple as that. . . . I know I'm supposed to be there. I know I'm supposed to lead by example. I know that. ... I know it's important, I honestly do. But we're talking about practice."
Asked about his relationship with his coach, Iverson said that was fine, too.
"I'm that pit bull in his yard, and if anybody tries to intrude, I'm going to be the one that's going to bite and protect his home," Iverson said.
"I love Larry Brown," he said."That's my man. That's my man, but in this situation right here, me and him, you know, we ain't tight as I thought it was, by this s- happening right now . . .
"If you're going to get rid of Allen Iverson, then get rid of Allen Iverson. Get rid of him. Do a trade, you don't have to assassinate [his character]."
As for the trade rumors, Iverson does not expect them to end.
“We lost, and this is what I’ve got to go through for the rest of the summer until the season starts over again,” he said.”This is what I’ve got to go through. This is my life, in a nutshell.”