Allen Iverson signed with Besiktas, a professional basketball team in Turkey, during a press conference in Manhattan. Posted by Ben Golliver.
Earlier this week, we noted two reports (here and here) that linked former Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson to the Turkish club Besiktas. Last night, Iverson’s management company issued a press release confirming that Iverson had agreed to sign a 2-year, $4 million contract with the team and that he would sign it during a ceremony at the St. Regis hotel in Manhattan.
That ceremony took place today and, from the looks of it, I wish I had been there. This picture, for example, is pretty incredible, as Iverson is either holding his future jersey, a tent flap or maternity clothing, I can’t tell which.
Kate Fagan reports that Iverson plans to move his family to Turkey with him and that he claims money is not a problem.
“It’s not a problem, it’s not a problem – money. Obviously if it was about money, I would jump out there and say, ‘You want me to come off the bench? How much money are you paying?’ It wouldn’t be a big deal. It’s not about money or anything like that. It’s the fact that I want to play and contribute what I can give to a basketball team. I made a ton of money playing in the NBA and all I want to do is play basketball and be happy. I’m at the point in my career where mentally and physically I know I can play basketball and that’s what I want to do. If I can’t play in the NBA, but I want to play basketball, that’s a decision I have to make.”
Here’s some video of the signing, via Philly.com, which shows Iverson shaking hands with Besiktas executives.
What a surreal scene, and my immediate impulse is to conclude that, despite Iverson’s move halfway across the globe to play basketball, we’ll be seeing The Answer pop up from time to time for many years to come. Unfortunately, I’m cringing at that thought. Hopefully Iverson gets this back on track before he reaches Tyson Territory.
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