Iverson retires from the NBA

• Source: Global Times
• [23:05 November 26 2009]
• Comments

Allen Iverson, a 10-time NBA All-Star who guided Philadelphia to the 2001 NBA finals, Thursday announced plans to retire in a statement released on a website.

The website of Stephen A. Smith, a reporter who covered Iverson in his glory days with the 76ers, published a statement attributed to Iverson announcing he was ending his NBA career after a failed comeback attempt with Memphis.

"I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association," the statement read.

"I always thought that when I left the game it would be because I couldn't help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However that's not the case. I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level."

"Stepping away from the game will allow me to spend quality time with my wife and kids," Iverson said. "This is a reward that far exceeds anything that I've ever achieved on the basketball court. I have prayed for this day and I see it as my greatest gift."

Hearing the news, tens of hundreds of his fans expressed their disappointment and sadness over Iverson's decision.

"I feel so sad. I had never imaged the day when he would retire. Just hope he'll be happy," a Chinese fan posted on Sina sports Thursday, without leaving his name.

"A. I. (Iverson) was truly a great player. Maybe not a great teammate and not a good person but as a player, you can't doubt what he was able to accomplish on the hardwood. He did singlehandedly take the Philadelphia Sixers to the NBA finals and that will always go down as a great feat that he accomplished," posted a fan named Steve on Yahoo sports.