Allen Iverson Live

How did Allen Iverson come back from his brief retirement? What motivated him to come back? That’s what Marc Spears explores in his article: Allen Iverson was beginning to enjoy retirement. And he didn’t foresee himself returning to the NBA unless one team – his beloved Philadelphia 76ers – wanted him back. Had the Sixers never called, Iverson figures he’d still be back in Atlanta happily hanging out with his family, done playing basketball.

“Retirement was the best for me,” said Iverson, whose official retirement lasted about a week. “[Philadelphia] is the only thing that could have brought me back, to play in this situation right here. I felt like I was having the time of my life.

“I always thought that once I gave the game up that it would be miserable for me and I thought about how I would miss it. But at the time that I was out, I didn’t miss it because my family took over all of that. Just being there with my family every day, being able to see my kids and my wife whenever I felt like it, it was a great feeling to me.

“No obligations. No media. None of that type of stuff. It was a good feeling, man.”

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This is amazing stuff.  The contract pen used by Allen Iverson to sign his new 76ers’ contract on Thursday is being auctioned off at Sixers.com to benefit Sixers Charities and the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation.

This exclusive item — only available through Sixers Charities — was used by Iverson on December 3, 2009 to sign his free agent contract prior to his press conference where he was “re-introduced” as a Sixer. For those that know their writing implements, the actual pen is a Cross ballpoint pen. What’s more, the pen box, which is included in the audtion deal, is signed by Iverson — in tears.

Currently, the auction has the latest bid at $260 – that’s one damn expensive pen!

It has been an emotional rollercoaster ride for Allen Iverson – and his fans.  Over the last week we have been heartbroken by the announcement by his retirement, and subsequently overjoyed when we heard that he might be returning to his first love in Philly.  In the press conference, it took just five minutes for A.I.’s eyes to well-up with tears as he tried to talk about his career’s progressions and how happy he was to be back in Philadelphia.

Enrico of The 700 Level has Iverson’s emotional quotes:

• “I have fans all over the world … I appreciate them in Memphis, Detroit, Denver, but the relationship I have with these fans [in Philadelphia] is like no other.”

• “People here watched me grow as a basketball player. They came in and cheered for me night in and night out, gave me everything that they had. That’s why it was easy to give them everything I had.”

• “This is one of the realest places in the world. They’re passionate about their sports and I gave them everything I had and that’s why they responded to me they way they did.”

Iverson will play his first game for the 76ers against Denver on Monday.