PHILADELPHIA — Allen Iverson is set to retire from the NBA, according to an online report.
Commentator Stephen A. Smith
published a statement on his Web site Wednesday attributed to Iverson.
It said Iverson plans to retire but Iverson also said that "I feel strongly that I
can still compete at the highest level."
The statement also said Iverson has tremendous love for the game and the desire to play.
The 10-time All-Star played three
games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to
attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to
part ways.
It was the second straight ugly
ending for Iverson, who was unhappy last season playing for the
Pistons. He was upset that then-Detroit coach Michael Curry and Memphis'
Lionel Hollins used the former MVP as a reserve.
The New York Knicks considered
signing Iverson last week after he cleared waivers, before deciding he
would take too much playing time away from younger players they are
trying to develop.
The Knicks seemed to be the only team
who would consider bringing in Iverson, so there was no guarantee he'd
play in the NBA this season, anyway. Still, the announcement Wednesday
came as a surprise to George Karl, who coached Iverson in Denver.
"I think he still has something left
to give some team out there. If that's his decision, he'll go down in
history, I think, as the greatest little guard ever to play the game of
basketball," Karl said.
"I was happy to have him for a couple
years and hopefully our paths will cross. But I have a sneaky feeling
that somewhere along the way an injury or a circumstance with a team
will open that window back up."