Iverson Guarded In Desire To Stay

Two years is a lengthy period of time, unless you're talking about the world of athletes and contracts.

Nuggets guard Allen Iverson has two seasons remaining on his contract: this year and next. Thursday, the eight-time NBA all-star said he would like to finish his career in Denver but will go wherever a good chance to win a title takes him.

"I'd rather be here," Iverson said. "But I mean, I'm going to do what's right for me. And that's just as far as being able to win a championship. That's the most important thing to me.

"So, after this contract is over, I would like to stay here. But, you know, I'm going to try to do what's right for me and my family."

Iverson is owed $20 million next season, but he has an early-termination option following this season. Exercising that option and leaving the money on the table, however, are unlikely. Neither side has broached the idea of a contract extension beyond next season.

Iverson was brought to Denver in a December trade after he spent his first 10 full professional seasons in Philadelphia, where he signed two contract extensions, including his current four-year, $76.7 million pact that expires in 2009.

"I don't think about contracts," he said. "When my time is up, I'll weigh my options after the season after my contract is up. I don't get into it like guys do when they're coming into the last year of their contract, and then they start worrying about if they're playing well and thinking about their money. The only thing I think about is basketball. I got enough money."
Still, how he plays will be key to how long Denver commits to him.

Nuggets coaches have talked about monitoring Iverson's regular-season minutes in order to keep him as fresh as possible for the playoffs. Iverson insists he's still playing at a high level.

"Obviously, nobody is the same as they was two, three years ago," he said. "But I still feel strong. I can do the same things that I've been able to do on the basketball court. I can still go wherever I want to go on the court. I can create whatever I want to create.

"I've seen Michael Jordan dominate at 37. I'm 32 years old and people are trying to put me in a wheelchair already. It's not going to happen. Not going to happen. I don't get in that wheelchair until God says, 'You need to be in it."'

Nuggets coach George Karl appreciated the impact Iverson made with the Nuggets last year.

"A.I. is such a plus, that I can't even fathom anything negative," Karl said. "The guy came in here with negative baggage, and the first game I remember saying to my assistants, 'This guy says the right stuff all the time.'

"We had moments where he got emotional and angry, but the man wants to win. He's a tremendously talented fun guy to watch play. Even the coaches love watching him play. He'll be better (this season). Eighty games is a lot better for playoff preparation than 35 games that he had in some turmoil situations last year."

source : denverpost.com