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Allen Iverson Turns Down D-League Opportunity

By | Published on January 29, 2013
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Allen Iverson wants back in the NBA. But he wants a direct line to the league, not through the D-League opportunity the Dallas Mavericks affiliate, the Texas Legends, has offered.

Iverson tweeted: “I thank Donnie (Nelson, part owner of the Legends) and Dallas for the consideration and while I think the D-League is a great opportunity, it is not the route for me.”

Iverson added: “I realize my actions contributed to my early departure from the NBA, should God provide me another opportunity I will give it my all. … My dream has always been to complete my legacy in the NBA.

“To my fans, I love y’all! Not a day goes by that I am not asked when am I coming back, we all must accept that my return is not up to just me.”

ESPN.com reported Monday that the Legends had ramped up their seasonlong pursuit of Iverson because they had moved to the front of the D-League’s waiver line, meaning that they would have a clear path to sign Iverson if the 11-time All-Star could be convinced to put his name in the developmental league’s player pool.

Iverson, 37, last played in the NBA in 2009-2010 in brief stints with the Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelpha 76ers.  But he has rebuffed multiple overtures over the last two seasons from the Legends to use the D-League to get back on the NBA’s radar. The Legends play 25 minutes north of the Mavericks’ home in downtown Dallas.

Iverson has also rebuffed opportunities to sign lucrative deals in China because, to date, he’s been unwilling to consider playing anywhere other than the NBA.

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