Iverson Special Airs on NBA TVOn Monday, NBA TV premiered “Allen Iverson: The Answer.” The hour-long special provided Iverson’s perspective on his career fresh off the formal announcement of his forthcoming Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction, and featured commentary from a who’s-who list of prominent hoops figures who shared their thoughts on Iverson’s legacy. Hosted by NBA TV analyst Steve Smith, the documentary began with a general overview of Iverson’s 12-year run in the NBA, and the connection he established with the city of Philadelphia. “He led a revolution,” said Charles Barkley, the former Sixer-turned-TNT broadcaster. “If you play with maximum effort in Philly, they’re going to love you.”In addition to Barkley, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim, Lakers’ champion Kobe Bryant, Warriors’ star Steph Curry, and former Sixers coach Larry Brown were among those to contribute to the documentary. “It’s like no other,” Iverson told Smith about his bond with Sixers fans. “The only thing I can compare it to is the love the fans share with [Michael Jordan] in Chicago. It don’t get no better than me and Philly.”From there, the Iverson special went on to examine various parts of his background, and the factors that prompted him to play hoops. “I hated basketball [growing up],” said Iverson, who called his mother, Ann, his greatest influence. Growing up, Iverson’s goals were to pursue football at the college level, clinch an NCAA title, and win the Heisman Trophy.As for hoops? “Thought it was soft,” Iverson said. “It took everything to get me [on a court].”Iverson credited Georgetown head coach John Thompson and the university for helping him stay on track. “They gave me a chance,” said Iverson. “I had the greatest coach, inspiration for me, was that guy. He cared about me. It wasn’t just about basketball [on Thompson]. He saved my life.” No profile of Iverson would be complete, of course, without a look back on the Sixers’ push to the 2001 NBA Finals, and the dominant role Iverson assumed during that memorable season. Averaging 31.1 points per game that year, he won the second of his four scoring crowns. Iverson also paced the NBA with 2.5 steals per contest, and earned the league’s MVP honors.In the post-season, there were the two 50-point performances against the Toronto Raptors, and the iconic crossover on the Lakers’ Tyronn Lue in the first game of the Finals. “All of that I couldn’t do, they made up for that,” Iverson said of his teammates from the 2000-2001 club. “And all of that they couldn’t do, I made up for. That’s what made us a great team. That’s what made Billy King a great general manager because he put the people around me for us collectively to be successful.”Towards the end of the NBA TV piece, Iverson reflected on the December 2006 deal that sent him from the Sixers to the Nuggets. “It was time,” he said. The special wrapped up with a look at Iverson’s societal impact, and how he’s biding his time in retirement. “I thought it was the worst,” said Iverson laughing, before sounding surprised. “Then, in the aftermath of it, when you can be around your kids, and your [girlfriend] 24 / 7, you don’t have to worry about leaving for weeks at a time, there’s no excuse. You’re there. You can be there all the time. That’s the greatest part about it.”Fittingly, the documentary’s final sequence left a lasting impression similar to that of Iverson’s career. In footage taken from his March 1st jersey retirement ceremony at The Center, Iverson spoke passionately about his connection to the franchise, city, and fans that adored him for what he did and who he was. Iverson called Philadelphia a “home forever.””Ya’ll have to show me the fool that says dreams don’t come true, because they do.””Allen Iverson: The Answer” will continue to air the rest of the week on NBA TV.First-Preseason Date SetHosting an exhibition game at a venue outside the Delaware Valley has been standard practice for the 76ers. October 4th will mark the latest iteration of this annual pre-season scheduling twist. That night, the Sixers will take on the Boston Celtics at Mullins Center, the near 9,500-seat arena on the main campus of the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. What ties do the Sixers have to the New England institution? For starters, one of the franchise’s most important, decorated, and transcendent stars played at UMass. Julius Erving sported the Minutemen’s now-retired number “32” varsity jersey from 1969 through 1971. During that two-year stretch, he averaged 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds. Originally chosen 12th overall in the 1972 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, Erving wouldn’t make his formal NBA debut until four seasons later, after he wrapped up an ABA stint with the New York Nets. Erving, of course, went on to become an 11-time All-Star, MVP, and champion as a career member of the Sixers. A second connection the Sixers have to UMass is that they’ve previously staged a pre-season contest at Mullins Center, doing so nearly eight years ago. On October 9th, 2008, Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young combined for 48 points in the Sixers’ come-from-behind 98-92 victory over Boston. The outing was Elton Brand’s first with the Sixers. He had signed as a free agent that summer. Over the years, there have been many pre-season tilts in which the Sixers have officially been designated the home team, but were actually playing away from South Philadelphia. Here are a few from the last decade and change…
10/12/2004 114-107 W vs. Wizards @ Durham, NC (Cameron Indoor Stadium): Big man Marc Jackson drained 12 points in the last three and a half minutes of regulation.
10/20/2005 106-102 L vs. Cavaliers @ Trenton, NJ (Sovereign Bank Arena): LeBron James scored 30 points in his return to the venue where he exploded for 50 points as a high schooler.
10/5/2010 103-96 L vs. Nets @ Roanoke, VA (Roanoke Civic Center): Doug Collins made his Sixers head coaching debut, while Evan Turner went 10 for 12 from foul line to finish with 12 points in his first pro appearance.
10/13/2012 108-105 OT L vs. Nets @ Atlantic City, NJ (Boardwalk Hall): The Sixers burst for 31 fourth-quarter points to force overtime in the first game ever for the renamed, relocated “Brooklyn” Nets franchise.
10/22/2012 98-90 W vs. Knicks @ Syracuse, NY (Carrier Dome): Jason Richardson posted 23 points against New York and Carmelo Anthony, who was back on his college campus.
10/11/2013 97-85 W vs. Celtics @ Newark, DE (Bob Carpenter Center): The Sixers appeared in the gym that would soon house their recently-launched NBA Development League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers, which started their inaugural campaign a few weeks later.
10/22/2014 84-77 L vs. Knicks @ Syracuse, NY (Carrier Dome): Nerlens Noel delivered 17 points and 12 rebounds, and ‘Cuse products Michael Carter-Williams and Jerami Grant returned to the Carrier Dome.
10/18/2014 95-84 W vs. Magic @ Allentown, PA (PPL Center): One month after beginning operation, venue hosts its first NBA outing.
10/10/2015 97-95 W vs. Nets @ Albany, NY (Times Union Center): Sixers’ undrafted rookie free agent guard T.J. McConnell connected on 10-foot jump shot to decide the game.
Tickets to the Sixers’ October 4th pairing with Boston go on-sale this Thursday morning.
