Sixers’ 10th straight loss reminding Iverson of good times

Allen Iverson couldn’t help but feel nostalgic during the latter half of Monday’s 93-83 loss to the Nuggets, his first game back since signing with the Sixers last week.

“I know the fans really tried to make me feel at home to start the game, but I still felt out of place…like something was missing in the first half,” said Iverson, who helped the Sixers take a 44-41 lead at halftime. “Once we started to throw up wild threes and forget to open our eyes on defense in the second half, I knew I was home. It’s great to feel this way again.”

The Sixers will face the Detroit Pistons at home on Wednesday, another one of Iverson’s former teams, who also suck this year which should give the game a nice WNBA Finals-like feel.

Iverson devotes retirement to helping local basketball club

Allen Iverson retired from the NBA last week after a 14-year career, but the former MVP has plans to stay busy now that his playing days are behind him. Iverson announced Wednesday that he will devote his time to helping out a local misfit basketball team.

“It was a hard decision for me and my family because I felt like I could still play in the NBA right now,” Iverson said. “But I still want to stay around the game and if these guys could use my help, then I’ll do what I can.”

Iverson didn’t know much about the Philadelphia 76ers basketball club before he was approached by team members over the weekend, but he was intrigued by suiting up to help raise funds for the failing team.

“We honestly didn’t expect much out of Iverson when we approached him with the idea,” said team dad and avid supporter Ed Stefanski. “I mean that’s AI we’re talking about and we’re just a small potatoes basketball program trying to stay alive.”

Area residents will be able to see Iverson for the first time on Monday as the struggling club will take on the NBA’s Denver Nuggets at the Wachovia Center.