http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/6556915.htm
Posted on Mon, Aug. 18, 2003 The Philadelphia Inquirer
Iverson willing to re-sign so he can be a career Sixer
By Marc Narducci
Inquirer Staff Writer
NEW YORK - 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."
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Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or
mnarducci@phillynews.com.
就像跟 Reebok 簽訂的終身合約一樣，費城七六人的球星 Allen Iverson 於日
前再次對母隊總管 Billy King 表達了提前延長合約的意願。 Iverson 目前的
合約讓她可以在 04-05 球季結束後成為不受限制的自由球員，屆時她將可以在
聯盟規定的團隊薪資上限內加盟任何球隊。 但以終其職業球員生涯都只為湖人
打拼的 Magic Johnson 和塞爾提克的 Larry Bird 等前輩們為榜樣的 Iverson
希望自己除了明星賽或奧運國家代表隊等特殊情形之外， 不會再穿上任何其他
球隊的球衣。就像右頸的那個中國字刺青「忠」字所代表的意義一樣，Iverson
希望自己能夠從一而終地生為七六人死為七六魂。 「這是我剛加入這裡時就擁
有的願望，而且我非常確信這個願望一定能夠成真。」
※ 編輯: BIASONICA 來自: 218.166.73.186 (08/18 22:56)