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Allen Iverson Chat Transcript: Oct. 6, 2005

AI was all smiles when Cheeks arrived in Philly.
NBAE/Getty Images
Allen Iverson laces up for his 10th NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2005-06. The six-time All-Star captured his fourth scoring title in 2004-05, highlighted by a 60-point explosion on Feb. 12, 2005.

The 2001 league MVP, Iverson is among the Sixers' all-time scoring leaders, behind only Julius Erving, Dolph Schayes and Hal Greer. He averaged 30.7 points per game last season and became the first player to rank in the top five in scoring, steals and assists.

Drafted out of Georgetown in the 1998 NBA Draft, Iverson established the Crossover Foundation and hosts an annual Allen Iverson Celebrity Classic that benefits the Boys and Girls club in both Philadelphia and his native Hampton, Va.

AI chatted live with fans on Oct. 6. Check out the complete chat transcript below:

Lynia (Plesanton): Do you feel physically fit for the upcomimg 2005-2006 basketball season?

Allen Iverson: I feel great. All summer I got everything healed up. I didn't play much, just did alot of shooting so lots of those nagging injuries are gone and I feel great.

Josh (Queens, NYC): How does it feel to have Mo Cheeks back on your side in Philly

Allen Iverson: It's like a dream come true. I've wanted that since Coach Brown left. It's been awhile, but I am just so happy he's back here and I'm excited about him being my coach.

Christie (Virginia): Are you going to play the pointguard position this year again? I really enjoyed seeing you display your range of talent in this position.

Allen Iverson: I'm gonna play the point guard the majority of the game, but I will mix in some two-guard as well.

Mike (Cherry Hill): who do you think was the best addition to the team this year, and how do you think they will help the team win?

Allen Iverson: Man. I don't wanna say one guy is better than the other, cause you never know until you start playing. But Lee Nailon will help alot with his shooting, Stephen Hunter will be an asset as a shotblocker and Shavlik Randolph is gonna surprise some people too.

Joseph (San Antonio): What inspired you to play basketball?

Allen Iverson: Michael Jordan.

Virginia: How well do you think that you and Webber will be this season? Do you see your self being a good 1 - 2 punch!?

Allen Iverson: I definitely think we can be one of the best one-two punches in the league. We can get familiar with each other in the preseason now, as it was tough when he came to us at the end of the season last year, where we didn't have much time to get our games together. But I think it will be different this year and I look forward to it.

Michal (Poland): What's your opinion about Andre Iguodala?

Allen Iverson: Iggy is a great player, he's an All-Star waiting to happen.

Michael (La Crescenta): Hey AI! Hope you doin well.. My question is because of your height, in what area of your game did you have to work on the most to be succesfull in the nba? And who's your closest friend in the nba? haha thanks. Take care!

Allen Iverson: I had to work on every aspect, there wasn't just one point. Being my size, when to release the ball, where to release all those things I had to work on.

Max (Cleveland): A.I. I know that you used to play football, do you miss it and what's you favorite team?

Allen Iverson: I miss football a lot. And Dallas Cowboys are my team.

La Grande: In your mind what does team USA need to do to get back on track???

Allen Iverson: I think it's important to get more time together, where we can practice together and get a good thing going among the players. That's important.

Sharon (London, Ont): Did you learn any new moves/tricks by playing/watching basketball in Asia?

Allen Iverson: I actually did. I learned a few things the guys were doing at a clinic out there. I don't think I'll be inserting them into my game in the NBA though. They are strictly for the playground!

John (Dallas): Is this the year Korver steps up and starts hitting the big shots?

Allen Iverson: Yeah, he has been. He did that all last season. He knocks down big shots for us. He makes the game easier for me, he really spreads the floor for me. He's definitely one of the greatest shooters...if not the greatest shooter..in the league right now.

Vieng Nguyen (Melbourne, Australia): Hey AI. Is there a normal ritual you go through to prepare yourself mentally and physically before each game

Allen Iverson: I don't. If anything, I just kiss my wife and kids before I leave. That's it.

Tonya (Champaign, IL): What do you see as the Sixers' biggest strengths for the 05-06 season?

Allen Iverson: Me! (Laughing) Ha-ha. No, no, just joking. Seriously, I think we have alot of talent. And I think mixing me and Chris in with some of this young talent will be a strength. I also think we have to run the court and be athletic in our game.

Washington DC: Have you thought about what your career plans are after basketball?

Allen Iverson: I just want to be professional fisherman. That's about it!

Steven Mutua (Fremont,CA): I am huge fan of yours Allen and I like what the team has done in the offseason. What are the team goals in terms of the post season. Are we smelling a championship?

Allen Iverson: Absolutely. I have to feel that way going into the season, or else there is no reason to lace up my sneakers. Hey, you can always say if you had this guy or that guy you could be better -- if we had Shaq or Kobe or T-Mac, yeah we'd be better -- but I like this group of players we have here and I truly think we can go out and make a run for the title with this group.

Allen Iverson: Thanks to all my fans for supporting me all these years. I'll do everything in my power to continue to perform for you and I will play every game like it's my last and help my team win every basketball game.