Adrian Fedkiw
It had been hyped and advertised for over a month, Allen Iverson was coming home.
It just wasn’t the homecoming that Philadelphia fans expected.
About 25 minutes before the Big3 event began at 6 p.m. on Sunday night, Iverson announced via his Instagram page that he wasn’t going to play.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWn2tw9BQ63/
The problem was most of the fans that stayed and watched the event’s first three games, didn’t realize that Iverson wasn’t going to be suiting up for the fourth game. There was no announcement from the league or at Wells Fargo Center, only on A.I.’s Instagram.
Iverson was cheered when announced, did his normal cup the ear routine to hear all the noise and had some words for the crowd.
I’m glad I had a chance to come back home. Ain’t nothing like this relationship we have. I love you for supporting me throughout my career and still today you’re still supporting me.
When the game began between Iverson’s 3’s Company and Tri-State, those cheers turned into boos and “We Want A.I.” chants began to ring throughout the arena.
Iverson had only scored six points on 3-of-13 shooting over his first three games, but he was the marquee attraction and the face Ice Cube is building his new Big3 League around. This was the league’s promotional video for Iverson’s return.
Neither Ice Cube, the league’s founder, or Iverson would answer questions about his prognosis after the game, but Cube did take to Twitter to at least clear some things up.
A.I. not playing was disappointing to everybody, including myself. Doctors told him not to get out of bed and he came anyway. Sad but true.
— Ice Cube (@icecube) July 17, 2017
I respect everybody's thoughts and comments. And always keep it ?. @thebig3 will do better whenever we come back to Philly. I owe you one.
— Ice Cube (@icecube) July 17, 2017
Thanks for the support y'all. Only one feeling worst then me is A.I.
— Ice Cube (@icecube) July 17, 2017
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