Yes, Allen Iverson is interested in playing professional basketball again.
No, the former NBA MVP and four-time scoring champion is not planning to play in the NBA Development League for the Texas Legends.
"Allen, while he appreciates the interest the Dallas affiliate has shown in him and that option was there for him if he wanted to take that route, he's not going to that route," Iverson's manager, Gary Moore, told USA TODAY Sports.
"He's going to continue to work very hard to get his mind and his body back to a place where he can help a team in the future - sooner more so than later."
Moore said Iverson is working out in North Carolina right now and may go to Chicago soon to continue working out.
Moore indicated Iverson may explore opportunities to play in the NBA this season.
"Hopefully, one day, he'll get an opportunity to possibly join a team and help a team ?? come off the bench and maybe give a team some very valuable minutes in this playoff stretch," Moore said. "I'm not a guessing man, but if I had to bet, I would surely feel like Allen is going to try and get himself in shape to return sometime this year."
Iverson last played in the NBA in 2009-10. He started the season with the Memphis Grizzlies, but that didn't work ?? he played in just three games ?? because Iverson wasn't getting the minutes he wanted. He played 25 games for the Philadelphia 76ers ?? the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 1996 ?? and started 24 times, averaging 13.9 points 4.1 assists and three rebounds. Iverson's last game for the Sixers was on Feb. 20, 2010. He took a leave of absence and never played again in the NBA.
Iverson played professionally in Turkey at the start of the 2010-11 season, but a calf injury ended his season in January of 2011.
Moore said Iverson made mistakes when he tried to come back to the NBA in 2010.
"Allen realizes full well why he's not in the NBA right now. ? He'd be naïve to realize why he's not in the league right now. He is determined to get his mind and his body right and continue to work," Moore said. "Allen appreciates everything that the NBA has given him and his years in the NBA. He appreciates his fans.
"Allen wants those fans to know it's not within his power to come back and just walk back in to the NBA. He clearly understands that. He understands why and he wants them to know that it's not up to him to just walk back out. He appreciates the love the fans have shown for him.
"But in no way shape, form or fashion does he want anyone to think that the NBA is doing something wrong to him by not allowing him back in the NBA. He knows why he's not in there, and he's determined to show those who need to know he's willing to get back."
Copyright 2012 USATODAY.com
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