Vorstellung » beat the Winterhawks in seven ga

PHILADELPHIA -- Allen Iversons highlights played one more time on the big screen, diehard Philadelphia 76ers fans and Julius Erving all part of the crowd catching one more glimpse of No. 3 in his prime. His killer crossover in his rookie season that dusted Michael Jordan. The jumper he buried over Tyronn Lue, then the highstep over the fallen Lakers defender in Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals. All there. All as much part of Iversons DNA as the rants about practice, the cornrows, the controversy. All in the past. This was time for A.I to say goodbye. Iverson officially called it quits -- though, in truth, it was the NBA that gave up on him -- nearly four years after he played his final game. He did it in typical A.I. flair, eschewing a suit fit for an elder statesman for a black, leather hoodie, askew black cap and a gold chain around his neck. "I always felt like it was cool being me," Iverson said. Iverson retired Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center, the site of so many of the moments he crafted into a Hall of Fame worthy career. Iverson led the Sixers to the 2001 NBA finals, won four scoring titles, clashed with former coach Larry Brown, and was an All-Star game fixture. Winning a championship is the lone void in a bio sheet that forever stamps him among the leagues greats. The undersized guard with the supersized heart was a perfect match in a city that prizes authenticity and hustle as much as production. "Im going to always be a Sixer til I die," he said. And his number will always hang in the rafters. Iversons No. 3 will be retired on March 1 against Washington. The 38-year-old Iverson had not played an NBA game since Feb. 20, 2010, in his second, short-lived stint with the Sixers. The 6-foot, 165-pound guard also played for Denver, Detroit and Memphis over a 14-year career that has him 19th on the career scoring list with 24,368 points. He also played in Turkey before realizing the NBA doors would not open for him again. "I thought that once this day came, it would be basically a tragic day," Iverson said. "I never imagined the day coming, but I knew it would come. I feel proud and happy to say that Im happy with my decision and I feel great." Iverson always proclaimed his love of Philly, the fans and the Sixers and swore he wanted to end his career with the franchise that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft. He fearlessly crashed the lane against players nearly a foot taller than him, played through countless injuries and added the pizzaz that was missing in what was a staid franchise. He transformed the 76ers from lottery losers to contenders, though he couldnt bring home an NBA title to this championship-starved city. He came close in 2001, when the 76ers lost to the Lakers. Iverson was arguably one of the four greatest Sixers, compiling a sparkling resume that put him in the mix with Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, and Charles Barkley. His No. 3 jersey was a bestseller around the globe, the headband wrapped snugly around his cornrows, and the tattoos were as much a part of his image as the way he ricochets around the court. Play every game like it was his last was more than a catchphrase, it was a lifestyle. "My whole thing was, just being me," Iverson said. "Now, you look around the NBA and all of them have tattoos, guys wearing cornrows. You used to think the suspect was the guy with the cornrows, now you see the police officers with the cornrows. You know what Im saying? I took a beating for those types of things." From the throwback jerseys to the bling in his ears, Iverson shaped a generation of kids that star in todays NBA. "He made it cool to be a hip kid," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. Iversons years in Philadelphia were marred by arrests in 1997 for carrying a concealed weapon and for possession of marijuana and in 2002 over a domestic dispute with his wife. He was sentenced to community service in 1997 and all charges were dropped against him five years later. Then there was the never-released rap album, which drew criticism from civil rights groups and got Iverson a reprimand from NBA commissioner David Stern because of its offensive lyrics. "I made a lot of mistakes, a lot of things Im not proud of," he said. "But its only for other people to learn from." Iverson and Brown were a volatile combination during the six seasons they spent together in Philly. Brown criticized Iverson for taking too many shots and accused him of being selfish at times. Iverson often arrived late for practice or missed them entirely. In one infamous blowup at the end of the 2002 season he repeated the word "practice" nearly 20 times during a rambling monologue. Iverson said he had no regrets about what he said, or any part of his career, including his beefs with Brown. Brown and Iverson eventually reconciled and the coach made his former guard co-captain of the 2004 Olympic mens basketball team. Iverson was a recent guest speaker at SMU practice, where Brown is starting his second season. "Im sick that hes going to retire. I dont think hes ready," Brown said. "I think he still could play. He came to speak to our team, and it was phenomenal. And he didnt sound like a guy to me that was ready to retire, and I didnt feel like he should. "He had an unbelievable career. I dont think any little player in the history of our game impacted the game like him, like he did. I dont know if many players impacted the game like he did. I cant go anywhere where people dont stop me and ask me about Allen." Iverson credited Brown, and his Georgetown coach John Thompson, who was at the ceremony, for turning him into a man. He had a catch in his voice taking about his deep relationship with former Sixer Aaron McKie. He called Jordan was an inspiration. But Iversons post-NBA career has been marred by divorce and stories of financial ruin and alcohol abuse. Iverson was flanked on the podium by three of his children, and said he couldnt let every rumour about his personal life upset him. Brown said he wasnt worried about Iverson adjusting life without a uniform and an adoring crowd chanting his name. "I hope Philly gives him a job in the front office like he deserves," Brown said. "That would be a great step, keep him involved with basketball. He needs that, and kids need that because so many kids admire him and want to be just like him and itd be nice that theyd see him involved in the game." The Sixers have talked to Iverson about a role with the franchise, a person familiar with the talks told the AP on condition of anonymity because no decision has been finalized. Miamis LeBron James, a 2004 Olympic teammate of Iversons, said it was time to give The Answer his due. "Allen had a great career, one of the best players to ever play the game," James said. "What he did for this league was great and will always be remembered." Cheap Jerseys China . -- Adam Tambellini scored three times and set up one more as the Calgary Hitmen won their sixth in a row by crushing the host Lethbridge Hurricanes 8-1 on Saturday in Western Hockey League play. NFL Jerseys China .com) - Jahlil Okafor had 21 points, Tyus Jones scored 16 with 10 assists and No. http://www.cheapnflwholesalejerseyschina.com/. The (14-15-5) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 33 points. They trail sixth place Nashville and fifth place Dallas by two points. Wholesale Baseball Jerseys China . The Canadian Football Leagues all-time passing leader said he has not made a final decision, but he will discuss his future with Montreal Alouettes owner Bob Wetenhall on the weekend. Cheap NFL Jerseys Online .Y. -- Kristen Gillman rallied to win the U. The Canadiens will look for their first win against the Red Wings this season as they visit Detrot at Joe Louis Arena. While Montreal is in a more comfortable playoff position holding a nine point lead, theyll face a Red Wings team right in the thick of the Wild Card battle. Changes on the blue line tonight will see Francis Bouillon back, alongside PK Subban, while Douglas MuBUFFALO, N.Y. -- Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly is expected to undergo surgery following the return of oral cancer. His wife, Jill, says the cancer is aggressive and starting to spread. The 54-year-old former Buffalo Bills star is being treated in New York City. Brother Dan Kelly tells The Associated Press on Tuesday that doctors are leaning toward surgery on Thursday or perhaps April 1. Kellys Buffalo doctors said March 14 the return of the cancer was discovered when he came for follow-up tests after surgery to remove cancerous cells last year. Dan Kelly says his brother is humbled by an outpouring of prayers posted on social media. Jill Kelly has been providing updates on Twitter and her blog. Jim Kelly retired following the 1996 football season. Air Max 1 Pas Cher . You can watch the game live on TSN and TSN GO at 3pm et/Noon pt. The Thunder reclaimed the home-court advantage LA took with a Game 1 win on Friday night with a 118-112 road win in Game 3. Air Max 1 France Pas Cher . The Brazilian-born strikers brace drew him level with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo as the leagues leading scorers with 17 goals apiece through 16 rounds. "The important thing is to help the team win, not the goals," Diego Costa said. After a first half dominated by defence, Atletico pressed Valencia into its area and Diego Costa did the rest. http://www.franceairmax1.fr/.Y. - Through three quarters, the Brooklyn Nets could not shake the NBAs worst team. Air Max 1 Destockage . They all do actually — Joel-Hans Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 22, 2014There is no confirmation that the date is actually happening, but that didnt stop Embiid from getting dressed up. Fresh cut..... Getting ready for dinner http://t.co/NNIfKyZQzx — Joel-Hans Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 23, 2014 Almost 930.. Air Max 1 France . Wawrinka, who is seeded fourth, is in the top half of the draw with Serbian Novak Djokovic. The Swiss star outlasted Djokovic in a five-set quarterfinal thriller last year and stunned Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the final to capture his first-ever Grand Slam title.PORTLAND, Ore. -- For more than four months, the Portland Winterhawks were invincible on home ice. The Edmonton Oil Kings ended the Winterhawks 25-game home winning streak Friday and closed to within one game of winning their second Western Hockey League championship in three years. Griffin Reinhart and Henrik Samuelsson scored second-period goals as the Oil Kings defeated Portland 3-2 in Game 5 of the WHL finals to take a 3-2 series lead. "Gutsy effort by our guys coming into this building and grinding out a solid road game," said Edmonton coach Derek Laxdal. "I thought our guys were really composed in a huge game." Edgars Kulda scored a first-period power-play goal for Edmonton, and goaltender Tristan Jarry made 37 saves and stood tall during a late Portland charge. "The mindset coming into the series was that wed have to win one on the road," said Reinhart. "Weve been comfortable in close games all year." Paul Bittner and Mathew Dumba scored for Portland, which hadnt lost at home since Jan. 4. Corbin Boes stopped 27 shots in defeat. "I thought we did a lot of good things tonight," said Winterhawks head coach Mike Johnston. "If we repeat that game well be OK in Game 6." Bittner broke a scoreless streak of nearly 132 minutes for the Winterhawks with his fourth goal of the series with 4:32 left in the first period to put Portland up 1-0. Kulda responded with 1:33 left in the first onn the Oil Kings fourth power play of the period.dddddddddddd The Oil Kings took their first road lead of the series on Reinharts goal 2:11 into the second period, then made it 3-1 on Samuelssons fourth goal of the series at 7:39. That score held until Dumba scored with 1:45 left in regulation to pull Portland within one, but the Winterhawks could not find an equalizer down the stretch. "(Edmonton) is good when they have the lead," Johnston said. "They really trapped it up in the third period, but we had seven or eight chances where we shot it over the net, we cut it too fine." Edmonton finished 1 for 5 on the power play, while Portland went scoreless on four chances. The Winterhawks, who had the top power play in the WHL in the regular season, are stuck in an 0-for-15 slump with the man advantage since Game 1. "Were not getting the bounces we want, but if we keep playing the same way we can win 3-2 next time," Bittner said. Edmonton, which beat the Winterhawks in seven games in the 2012 WHL finals, has won three straight games after dropping the first two of the series in Portland. The Winterhawks won last years championship in six games over Edmonton. The Oil Kings can wrap up the series with a win in Sundays Game 6. If Portland wins, the Winterhawks will host Game 7 Monday. "Weve been good at home," said Reinhart. "Were going to put distractions aside and play our best game." ' ' 'rray gets the night off. Michel Therrien wants to keep everyone as fresh and game-sharp as possible down the stretch. Carey Price returns to the net tonight coming off his fifth shutout and 30th win of the season on Tuesday against Buffalo. The Habs have won three straight on the road, as they look to match their longest sstreak of the year.dddddddddddd Detroit has one of the hottest goal scorers in the NHL to contain these days. Gustav Nyquist has scored in six straight games, hitting the back of the net nine times. He has two goals and three points against the Canadiens this season. During his six-game goal streak, Nyquist has a shooting percentage of 42.9%. The last Detroit player to have a seven-game goal streak was Brett Hull (Nov. 26-Dec. 8, 2003). Heres how the Habs look to line up tonight: Pacioretty - Desharnais - Vanek Galchenyuk - Plekanec - Gallagher Bourque - Briere - Gionta Bournival - Eller - White Markov - Emelin Bouillon - Subban Tinordi - Weaver Price ' ' '