C´est pas génial ça ? ( Pas pour Fuck-Disiz et NateDog
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- Allen Iverson is just as intent on finishing his career with the 76ers as he is in helping the United States win a gold medal in next year´s Olympics.
Iverson, who has at most two years remaining on a contract that he can opt out of following the 2003-04 season, left no doubt where his loyalties lie.
After scoring 11 points and adding five assists in 26 minutes for the U.S. national team during yesterday´s 101-74 exhibition win over Puerto Rico at Madison Square Garden, Iverson stated his desire to finish his professional career where it began. When asked if he was seeking a contract extension with the Sixers, Iverson got right to the point.
" I think that is one of the most important things for me to get done in my life right now," Iverson said. " It´s important to make sure I am inked in and know where my career is going and where I am going to be and where my family is going to be."
Iverson is entering his eighth year with the Sixers. He is scheduled to make $13.5 million this season as part of a six-year, $71 million deal.
Iverson´s contract for the 2004-05 season is for $14.62 million. If he opts out after the coming season, he would become an unrestricted free agent and could still re-sign with the Sixers.
Last month, Iverson´s agent Leon Rose confirmed that he and Billy King, the Sixers´ president and general manager, had begun informal discussions on a contract extension. Rose, who attended yesterday´s game, said there was nothing new to report on negotiations.
If Iverson signs an extension before the 2003-04 season ends, he can add five years totaling about $96 million - considering the maximum allowed under the league´s collective-bargaining agreement - to the $14.62 million for next year.
" I always said from the beginning that I wanted to be a Sixer until my career is over," Iverson said. " I always looked at and respected players like Magic [Johnson] and [Larry] Bird for being able to be with one team. That´s the way I want to be."
The 28-year-old Iverson was the first player selected in the 1996 NBA draft, following his sophomore season at Georgetown. Last season Iverson played all 82 regular-season games for the first time in his career. He averaged 27.6 points and led the league in steals ( 2.74 per game) and minutes ( 42.5 per game).
Iverson is a four-time all-star and the 2001 league MVP, and he has a career 27.0 scoring average.
" I don´t want any kids to see me in another uniform unless it´s an all-star uniform or a U.S. Olympic uniform," he said. " I hope it can get done and I´m pretty sure it will."
Merci Iverson ! !! On t´aime ! Vive toi !