Nameplate gone, Iverson remains
The Bulls took themselves out of the running for Allen Iverson yesterday, while the Sixers are still hopeful that they can wind up with Chicago's Ben Gordon, along with expiring contracts, when they trade their disgruntled superstar.
According to several league execs, the Bulls decided they do not want to bring Iverson and his headstrong attitude to a team featuring many young players. The Bulls also did not think that Iverson and coach Scott Skiles could co-exist. Iverson missed his third straight game last night, as the Sixers continued to hold discussions to trade him.
Sixers GM Billy King said he would not comment until a trade is finalized. Although the Bulls don't want Iverson, they still might be involved in a three-way deal, with Golden State ending up with Iverson. After a hot start, the Warriors have been falling apart, losing seven of their last 10.
But Don Nelson is interested in acquiring Iverson to pair with Baron Davis in his backcourt. In the three-way scenario, the Warriors would send power forward Troy Murphy to Chicago as part of a package of players.
The Sixers are intrigued by Gordon, who has had his ups and downs with Skiles, even as he has emerged as a promising young scorer.
Other Bulls mentioned going to Philly in a potential deal have been P.J. Brown and ex-Knick Michael Sweetney, each in the final year of his contract.
Iverson's nameplate was gone and his locker was cleaned out last night in Philly.
Iverson was not in the arena for the Sixers' 81-79 loss to Portland, the third straight game he was on the inactive list, and the Sixers' eighth straight loss.
With four games this week, the Atlantic Division-worst Sixers seem unlikely to let the situation fester.
Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks was peppered all day with questions about Iverson, but said his only focus was on the players in the locker room and snapping the team's slide. "I'm not here to say how this happened, how that happened," Cheeks said before Zack Randolph's driving layup with 2.4 seconds left lifted Portland.
Randolph's basket came after
Chris Webber had hit his second 3-pointer of the season to tie the score. Andre Iguodala tied a career high with 27 points, rallying the Sixers back from a 16-point first half deficit, but no other starter scored in double figures.
"We're just going forward with the people we have and we're trying to win games," Cheeks said. "I think our team has been pretty good through all of this."
Iverson's relationship with Cheeks had deteriorated this season, with Iverson leaving a recent practice reportedly after a blowup with his coach. He skipped a team bowling function later that night, apologized and was fined by the organization.
Iverson demanded a trade last week and Sixers chairman Ed Snider said on Friday the All-Star guard had "probably" played his last game with Philadelphia.
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