Click here to Skip to main content
LATEST HEADLINES - NBA NEWS
iverson608.jpg
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Iverson: 'I'd rather retire' than be a reserve next season


Posted Apr 1 2009 11:50PM

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Looking into the future, Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson would rather retire than be a full-time reserve.

Iverson returned to action this past weekend after missing 16 games with a back injury, and coach Michael Curry has used him off the bench the last three games.

Iverson complained about his minutes on Tuesday after playing 18 against Cleveland. He admitted that he does not like the new role after playing 17 in a 111-98 loss to the Nets on Wednesday.

"I'm in a position now that I've never been in my whole life," Iverson said. "It's harder than I thought it would be. With the back injury, I have to sit out at the start, then go in, then sit again. It's tough to really get going. I take my hat off to the guys who can come off the bench and be effective. It's tough for me. I'm struggling with it."

Iverson, who was acquired from Denver for Chauncey Billups in an early season trade, said he would not accept being a reserve next season.

"I'd rather retire before I do this again," Iverson said. "I can't be effective playing this way. I'm not used to it. It's tough for me both mentally and physically. If I'm able to go out there, I should be able to get it done and I can't right now. It's my fault. I have to be able to overcome the adversity and do what I have to do. I just have to find a way to get it done. Not being 100 percent makes it harder and you can see that I'm not 100 percent."

Iverson sat on the Pistons bench with his jersey off and his shin wrapped in ice early in the second half. The 33-year-old didn't put his jersey back on until he went into the game late in the third quarter.

The 12-year veteran would not talk about his playing time Wednesday after scoring four points on 1 of 8 shooting.

"I'm not going to get into that, because I know I'm not going to win that battle," he said. "No way am I going to use my health as an excuse. I don't make excuses like that. You can see that I'm not 100 percent, but if I'm out there, then that's enough for me."

Iverson has averaged 17.4 points in 54 games with the Pistons.

SEARCH NEWS
HEADLINES

VIDEOS
photoThe Beat: On the Clock
David Aldridge and Lang Whitaker face-off on various topics around the league.
photoCorrect 5-Second Violation in Lakers-Raptors game 2/12/12
Correct 5-Second Violation in Lakers-Raptors game 2/12/12.
photoFantasy Insider: Opening Tip
Rick and Dennis open the show with Lin-Sanity and where he ranks with the rest of the point guards in the league.
photoFantasy Insider: Magic Men
Rick and Dennis roll out the best point guards in fantasy points from the previous week.
photoFantasy Insider: Weekly Honors
Rick and Dennis honor the players who gutted it out and played with injuries in the previous week.
photoFantasy Insider: Start or Sit - Smalls
Dr. Phil McDonald joins the show to discuss the injuries to Derrick Rose and Kyrie Irving to help you with your decision on starting the guards this week.
photoFantasy Insider: Start or Sit - Bigs
Rick and Dennis let you know which forwards and centers you should be starting or sitting the bench on your fantasy rosters for the week.
photoFantasy Insider: Pickup or Drop
Rick and Dennis let you know who should be looking for on the waiver wires of your fantasy leagues.
photoFantasy Insider: Fantasy vs. Reality
Rick and Dennis scratch their heads over this year's NBA All-Star Game snubs.
photoFantasy Insider: Moneyball Men
Dennis breaks down his top five shooters from the behind the arc from the past week, then he and Rick offer up their last second shots.

Copyright © NBA Media Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use. | Ad Choices Ad Choices

NBA.com is part of Turner - SI Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network.