Shock with intensity: Iverson won't return to Sixers this season

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Iverson won't return to Sixers this season

Tuesday, March 02, 2010 |

Posted by zilljanmark

source: Agence France-Presse - abs-cbnnews.com

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania – The Philadephia 76ers said Tuesday that Allen Iverson won't return this season as he and his family cope with the illness of his 4-year-old daughter, Messiah.

Iverson returned as a free-agent in December to the 76ers, the team he led to the NBA Finals in 2001.

But he has been largely absent for the past month and also skipped the All-Star game in February to be with his ailing daughter. The family have not disclosed the nature of her illness.

"After discussing the situation with Allen, we have come to the conclusion that he will not return to the Sixers for the remainder of the season, as he no longer wishes to be a distraction to the organization and teammates that he loves very deeply," team president Ed Stefanski said.

"It has been very difficult for Allen and the team to maintain any consistency as he tries to balance his career with his personal life."

Iverson, a former NBA Most Valuable Player and four-time scoring champion, averaged 13.8 points in 28 games this season. He started the season with Memphis but played just three games before he announced a short-lived retirement.

Coach Eddie Jordan said it was best for Iverson to focus on his family.

"I think it was the right thing to do at the right time," Jordan said. "His body of work has proven to be a terrific body of work in the history of the NBA."

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Iverson won't return to Sixers this season

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