Allen Iverson Leaves Philidephia 76ers for Season: Career Over?

by Michael Small | March 2, 2010 at 09:48 am

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Allen Iverson has left the Philadelphia 76ers for the rest of the season, and it's debatable if you'll ever see Iverson in the NBA again.

Iverson won't return to the 76ers because he wants to be with his 4-year-old daughter who is dealing with an undetermined illness. Iverson hasn't been with the team for a month, and he and 76ers decided it would be best if he didn't return. Iverson didn't want his absence to affect his teammates.

"After discussing the situation with Allen, we have come to the conclusion that he will not return to the Sixers for the remainder of the season, as he no longer wishes to be a distraction to the organization and teammates that he loves very deeply," team president Ed Stefanski said. "It has been very difficult for Allen and the team to maintain any consistency as he tries to balance his career with his personal life."

The former NBA MVP who was a 4-time scoring champion wasn't the scorer Philadelphia was hoping for this season, averaging only 13.8 points in 28 games for the 76ers.

Iverson returned to Philly for a second stint this season after being released by the Grizzlies only 3 games into the season. There weren't many takers for a 34-year-old shooting guard with diminished skills, so Iverson's career is in jeopardy after this failed season with the 76ers, and the former MVP may be forced to retire.

If Iverson's career is indeed done, then he's a lock for the Hall of Fame. Iverson averaged 26.2 ppg and 6.2 assists during his career.