Allen Iverson was so desperate to return to the NBA after things ended badly in Detroit and Memphis that he signed a non-guaranteed veterans' minimum salary with the Sixers, for whom he spent his first 10-and-a-half pro seasons. For Iverson, it's a chance to repair his damaged reputation by playing a significant role in a city where he's largely revered for his toughness and for leading them to the 2001 NBA Finals. For the Sixers, it's a chance to replace injured starter Lou Williams (fractured jaw) with a proven scorer who will put fans in the seats for a franchise bordering on irrelevance. If Iverson acts out or starts causing problems, the Sixers can release him before the Jan. 10 deadline to guarantee contracts and not have to pay him for the rest of the season. "This is a low risk for the organization and a high reward," Stefanski said. "When he steps onto the court, he gives you everything he has. I told him that's one thing I want him to show our young guys on the court and to talk to young guys about what's happening on the court."
While Stefanski said the Sixers haven't guaranteed Iverson a starting spot, head coach Eddie Jordan said he likes Iverson as a starter.
"I compare him to Brett Favre -- a guy who people think is almost too old to play and he's having an MVP-type year," Jordan said. "When I woke up this morning, I said, 'Maybe he can be that.' It's not a big maybe -- I think he can be that."
Former teammate Eric Snow said he thinks Iverson, the franchise leader with a 28.1 scoring average as a Sixer, is likely to become more team-oriented with the Sixers than anyplace else.
"He's comfortable there," said Snow, now an NBA TV analyst. "He knows the city, knows the fans. That's a place he wanted to be. I think he'd be more willing to make it work and fit in."
THUNDER 117, SIXERS 106: The Sixers dropped their eighth straight in going 0-3 on their current road trip. They were out-rebounded 43-29, including 18-7 on the offensive glass. The Sixers (5-14, 2-9 on road) had as many turnovers (16) as assists (16). They had a great night from the three-point line in defeat, going 14-for-23 (.610).
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