Rough Homecoming

The Answer made his long-awaited return to the Wachovia Center tonight to a sellout crowd as the Sixers took on the Denver Nuggets. The pre-game player introductions gave the feeling that it was Game 1 of the NBA Finals rather than a 5-15 team in the middle of a dreadful losing streak. But that was the point, this was what this team and this fanbase, most importantly, needed. When Iverson was announced to a raucous crowd and he kissed the logo at center court, it was yet another moment in the memory book of Allen Iverson's time in Philadelphia. He may not be the player he was when he won Rookie of the Year, or when he won MVP and carried a team to the NBA Finals. He may not even be the player he was in 2007 when he still was scoring over 25 points per game. But what is not debatable is that he is still a hero to this city and the fans showed their appreciation for him tonight. Even if it was just for tonight, Philadelphia was the capital of the NBA and all eyes were on the city and their prodigal son.

However, after the love fest, there was a game to be played. The Sixers came out playing inspired basketball, especially Andre Iguodala who scored 31 points on 11 of 21 shooting. The Sixers led most of the way but could never seem to pull away from the Nuggets, even with Carmelo Anthony being held to under 20 points for the first time all season. Chauncey Billups, who dropped 31 points along with 8 boards and 8 dimes, led a 22-3 run between the third and fourth quarters that distanced the Nuggets from the Sixers. As for Iverson, he finished with a pedestrian 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting and 6 assists in 37 minutes, a lot of playing time for someone who hasn't played in 34 days. Iverson received a standing ovation as he was taken out of the game with 45 seconds left. The Sixers losing streak is now at 10 games, however tonight, if only for tonight, they had a spark that has not been in the building in years.

Sidenote: The most spectacular play of the night didn't even count. As the end of the first half wound down, Andre Iguodala threw up a full-court heave just for fun and he drained it. The crowd erupted, unfortunately it did not count as time had already expired.