Allen Iverson Slam Magazine
Allen Iverson is covering the 150th issue of Slam Magazine and in it speaking on a number of topics including his time playing basketball in Turkey and his dreams of returning to the NBA.
As previously reported Iverson’s denied reports that he’s retiring but did suffer a crippling leg injury that many thought would end his career.
And while the ball player’s been absent on the court in the states, he was signed to a two-year, $4 million deal with the Turkish club, the Besiktas, a decision he tells Slam was a great, great experience.
AI: It was a great, great experience. I had the opportunity to play in front of fans that probably thought they’d never see me. The fans over there were great. I mean, it’s different than the NBA but they are just as excited as the NBA fans. I’m talking about, when I tell you these people are into the game throughout the whole game and halftime, it’s amazing. The fans embraced me, and it was a great opportunity. But my whole thing is, that’s not where I wanted to be. I didn’t want to be away from my wife. I didn’t want to be away from my kids.”
He adds however that he still has dreams of returning to the NBA and gets nostalgic watching the NBA finals. Iverson mostly wants however for organizations to know that he’s willing to play “any part” they like.
“I want to finish my career out in the NBA, if that’s possible. And that’s in any capacity. I did a lot of things, I made a lot of mistakes as far as my actions and things that I’ve said, and I think that was the reason for me not being in the NBA. My whole thing now in trying to get back is letting any organization know that I’m willing to play any part that they want me to play.
SLAM: You watching any Playoff ball and thinking, “Damn, I should be out there?”
AI: You know what, it’s hard. It’s hard to watch. Like, I try to watch it and then at times you’re watching and you get emotional and I get away from it, have a little moment by myself or to myself, and then I try to get back and watch it. I mean, it’s basketball—what I love. It’s what I was born to do. So it’s hard to watch, but it’s hard not to watch.”
