PHILADELPHIA — Allen Iverson will start for the Philadelphia 76ers in their home game against Denver.
Coach Eddie Jordan said Iverson will start Monday night and may start the rest of the season for the struggling Sixers. Iverson will play his first game with Philadelphia since 2006.
“I feel like I am home,” Iverson said at shootaround this morning. “Just seeing people I’m accustomed to seeing, seeing the reporters, seeing some of the fans when I go out to eat. Just the smell of Philadelphia when I go outside.”
Iverson isn’t sure how many minutes he can play because of his limited basketball activity over the past year. His stint in Detroit was cut short with a back injury and he played only three games for Memphis this season.
Nuggets coach George Karl was asked today if he’s glad A.I. is back playing for the 76ers.
“I’d like to answer that 20-30 games from now,” Karl said. “I want A.I. back playing basketball and having that bounce and energy that over the years has been amazing. My worry is how he accepts his role. I don’t know if I’m the president of (the 76ers), if I want A.I. to play 40 minutes a game. They have too many young players who need to grow up.
“So, can A.I. play 30 minutes and mentor? I think A.I. has great basketball I.Q., great basketball knowledge, great basketball stories. But will he give them to Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams, to the team as a captain and a leader? Or will he fight that he wants to be on the court more? This is the period of his life he should be celebrating the game, enjoying the game and thanking the game – rather than fighting the game.”
Iverson said he has some concerns about playing in game conditions.
“If I can’t get my scoring on like I want to, I just want to do other things on the basketball court that will help us win,” he said.
The Sixers have lost nine consecutive games.
Iverson, traded to the Nuggets in December 2006, always considered Philly home and dreamed of a return to the team he led to the 2001 NBA finals.
“In your dreams, you always hope for the best,” he said. “That’s what I’m doing. I love these people here. They know that. They love me back. Hopefully, it’ll just be a great experience.
“Hopefully, I don’t get emotional because it will take away from my game.”
Jordan said he’ll likely play Iverson in short bursts.
“I told him for 14 years I heard how you hate coming out of the game. Now they’re telling me you’ve got to get him out if he’s tired,” Jordan said, laughing. “He’s going to tell me. The first time I’m coaching Allen Iverson, I am not taking him out until he tells me.”
Also, Jordan says leading scorer Andre Iguodala will start after missing Sunday’s practice with an ankle injury.
Denver Post staff writer Benjamin Hochman contributed to this report.
