| Allen Iverson wants to play. Somewhere. (Getty Images) |
Allen Iverson might have finally found his answer. The Far East.
Iverson has been trying to crawl his way back into the NBA and despite his name recognition and potential draw at the gate, he hasn't even come close to getting a look. He's not entirely healthy, he doesn't have the same game he used to, he's older (37) and he's probably not worth the headache.
But he still wants to play. Via Chinese website NetEase, via HoopsHype:
I definitely want to return to the NBA, but if I can’t get back there, I’m hoping to play ball here (China).”
With regards to his team of choice, Iverson chose to reply obliquely, saying: “I’m not leaning towards any one team, and there’s no ‘first choice’ like what the others say.” However, Iverson points to the CBA as one of his backup options. “China is still one of my choices, but the team that wants me to join has got to show me that they really mean it, like ‘hey we really need you’.”
Iverson has tried the overseas circuit once, playing in Turkey two years ago. It didn't end all that well with him leaving early because of an injury. He was rumored to be playing in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and maybe even the D-League but hasn't been able to fully complete a return to basketball.
China is a good option for him though. Stephon Marbury seems to have found a place there as a basketball star, which means there's absolutely no reason Iverson can't do the same.
Iverson doesn't want to his career to be over. Here's what he said in May: "I'm not using that word [retirement]," he said. "I want to play basketball so bad.
"I mean, the way it is right now, I've accepted the fact that [playing in the NBA] might not happen," he said. "But I still want to play basketball. If I can get an opportunity to where it's going to make me happy at the end of my career, I'll take that opportunity. But I just love to play and I want to have another opportunity to play on the professional level."
Well, that opportunity might be on the table. A long way away.