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Iverson comeback overblown - 76ers coach

(China Daily/AP/AFP)
Updated: 2009-12-01 08:43

SAN ANTONIO, Texas: Philadelphia coach Eddie Jordan said on Sunday he hasn't spoken with Allen Iverson about bringing the former NBA star out of retirement with his old club.

US media have reported Iverson, a 10-time All-Star who guided the 76ers to the 2001 NBA finals, could reverse his brief retirement to rejoin the club.

But Jordan said the speculation is "probably more in the media than it actually is".

The coach said he hadn't discussed Iverson with anyone and that Philadelphia aren't seriously discussing signing any free agents.

Related readings:  Report: Iverson set to retire from NBA  Grizzlies, Iverson part ways after only 3 games  Celtics hold Iverson in check, cruise to easy win  Iverson goes to Pistons in blockbuster trade with Nuggets

Iverson, a four-time NBA season scoring champion, ranks fifth in NBA career scoring average with 27.1 points a game. He averaged 17.4 points a game last year for Detroit.

On Wednesday, the website of Stephen A Smith, a reporter who covered Iverson in his glory days with the 76ers, published a statement attributed to Iverson announcig he was ending his NBA career after a failed comeback attempt with Memphis.

"I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association," the statement read.

"I always thought that when I left the game it would be because I couldn't help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However that's not the case.

I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level."

Iverson played three games for Memphis before taking a leave of absence to deal with personal matters, then was waived by the Grizzlies after he and the team agreed to part ways.

Iverson was unhappy with a reserve role with Memphis as he had been in Detroit the season before.

The Knicks considered signing Iverson but decided he would take too much time from younger, developing players. No other team appeared interested in Iverson.