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NBA 09/03/2014, 19.11

Ex-Sixers GM Brad Greenberg responds to non-invite to Iverson ceremony

Former Sixers GM to draft "The Answer" responds to not receiving jersey retirement invite by Philly

NBA

Allen Iverson doesn't have a bigger fan on Earth than Hapoel Jerusalem coach Brad Greenberg.


Which is why, as Greenberg recently confessed, he badly wished he could have been in Philly last weekend when Iverson's famous No. 3 jersey was hoisted to the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center.

"I wasn't contacted (about attending the ceremony)," Greenberg said this week, "but that's fine. (Current Sixers GM) Sam Hinkie has his hands full. Philly is a rough town when you're a bad team."

Greenberg, as the Sixers' former general manager from 1996-97, selected Iverson with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft.

Now in his second season coaching in Israel, Greenberg has Hapoel Jerusalem tied for first place (17-4) after combining with Dallas Mavericks rookie Gal Mekel to lead little Maccabi Haifa on a fairy-tale run to the Israeli championship last season.

Although he has not maintained close contact with Iverson over the past few years, Greenberg remains a huge admirer of the 6-foot scoring sensation.

"A.I. is most deserving of having his number hanging," Greenberg said. "I'm proud of drafting Allen (Iverson) and feel his legacy is one of the greatest (scorers), if not the greatest little scorer, in the history of the game.

"Allen has been of the most honest – and at times - misunderstood athletes of modern times," Greenberg added. "I'm glad to see him have his number retired. He's a Hall of Famer."

Iverson is an 11-time NBA All-Star and four-time scoring champ. The 2001 MVP led the Sixers to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers that season. The 38-year-old made his last appearance as an active player in January 2011 as a member of  Turkish club Besiktas.

Among the former NBA greats who did attend the retirement ceremony were Julius Erving, Gary Payton, Dikembe Mutombo, Moses Malone, Theo Ratliff, and ex-president Pat Croce. Coach Larry Brown was also in on the celebration via video message.

STORY BY DAVID PICK
Twitter IAmDPick 

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