Allen Iverson is officially a Philadelphia 76er… Again.

The Sixers announced today that the 13 year veteran will once again take the court at the Spectrum.. err, I mean the Wachovia Center. Sorry, I’m just feeling really retro today for some reason.

It doesn’t feel that long ago that Allen Iverson was carving up the Lakers in Game One of the NBA Finals, or winning that first round Playoff series against the Hornets deadly quartet of Jamal Mashburn, Kenny Anderson, Stacey Augmon and Elden Campbell.

Oh dear! *sigh*

The last time Allen Iverson actually won a Playoff series was 2003. This makes me feel a little jaded that AI has returned if I’m a Sixers fan. Basically all that’s happened is Iverson has had a disagreement with my franchise, taken his declining game and hungry wallet to 3 other cities over the past 3 years to get paid. He has disrupted or destroyed every team he’s been a part of in that time and shown nothing that suggests he won’t do it again if he gets benched at any point.

The last time AI won a Playoff series was the same time this guy was considered a better option than Dwyane Wade, Carmello Anthony and Chris Bosh amongst others. Ouch.

His journey away from “home” has not been an enjoyable one and he has now walked back into Philly looking for some cheap retro- love and some band-aids. I see the current Philadelphia 76ers situation much like this:

You and your high school buddy both have normal everyday jobs. You always catch up at your local bar for a drink on Thursday nights. Just two guys that are having a good time, no frills, always having fun. However, one day you and your buddy get into an argument because you say it’s his turn to get drinks. He won’t budge and punches are thrown. A few days go by and you then learn that your buddy has won the lottery! Instead of patching things up and coming to see you, he bolts for the high-life and forgets you entirely. No postcard or celebration… you have been left behind. In fact, as he leaves he gives everyone in the bar the one-fingered salute and walks out in his three-piece suit to his newly purchased Ferrari. Months or years later, after all of the money dries up, he walks back in to that same bar, with nothing but a $20 bill in his pocket and the shame associated with his “journey”. He sits down in his old spot and attempts to strike up a conversation with you and your new friends like nothing happened. Everyone moves seats and re-locates to another table.

Right?

Not if you’re the the Philadelphia 76ers. They’ve metaphorically sat down next to their deserting high school buddy and told him how important he is, how special he is and how he can be an integral part of their group going forward. This is one of the strangest things I’ve seen, due mainly to how the Philadelphia/Allen Iverson marriage ended in late in 2006.

I believe the only way AI can truly be of any benefit in Philadelphia is to adopt a “mentor” attitude. He needs to lift these under-performing yet high potential Sixers to the Playoffs. He needs to mentor Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams and give them the edge to take them to the next level. He needs to inspire Samuel Dalembert and Elton Brand to greatness. He needs to realise that this is a different AI’s team now. He needs to understand that Eddie Jordan is the boss and that the Princeton offense is now Allen Iverson’s job.

He did it in 2001 with a lineup that’s no too different to the one he has now. Iverson’s  skills may have diminished but I doubt his heart has. The main difference from the 2001 lineup is age. Not only for Allen but for the squad itself. This team is a lot younger and it’ll be up to Allen Iverson to be the veteran leader and allow the young pups to steal the show.

I think anyone who believes he will do any of these things is deluded and probably still has Mashburn, Augmon and Elden Campbell posters on their walls. Like Rocky Balboa, Allen Iverson is back in the spotlight in Philadelphia with something to prove. Only he can genuinely stamp a legacy in Philadelphia that will live on in a positive light.

Saddle up people of Philly! The NBA’s version of the Italian Stallion is back in the City of Brotherly Love.

*cue the music*