Allen Iverson Returns Tonight

It’s a big week for Philadelphia basketball with three local teams in the NCAA Tournament, but it might be tonight’s contest at the Wachovia Center that’s the marquee event of this week of March: Allen Iverson returns to Philadelphia.

The Answer hasn’t been back in town since being traded last December; while his Denver Nuggets are 40-27, they are currently 9th in the Western Conference. John Hollinger of ESPN only gives them a 50 percent chance of making the playoffs. The 33-34 Sixers, however, have a 99 percent chance at a playoff spot, since they play the in Eastern Conference — where several teams start descendants of the late Air Bud.

The outlook for the 76ers has undergone a 180 since just before midseason. The Daily News asks who got the better of the deal, the SIxers or the Nuggets; a year ago, this would have been a laughable question, as the Sixers had just traded Allen Iverson for Andre Miller and some picks. But now that Thaddeus Young is one of the best rookies in the NBA… well, it’s something I’d have to think about before saying Denver.

Anyway, Philly.com is asking if you’re going to boo or cheer Iverson, as if you’re going to do anything but cheer him. For some reason the link on the front page goes to a forum with the top story being, “Webber experiment over?” I’d say the 76ers got the best of the Chris Webber contract buyout.

Chris Webber To Join A.I. As Ex-Sixer

Hey, kids! Remember how Larry Brown came back to the 76ers to help them trade Allen Iverson, and now he’s executive vice president and he’s going to coach them next season he’s happy to be EVP?

Well Larry Brown has all his fingerprints over this latest deal. The Daily News Phil Jasner reports the 76ers will finalize a buyout of Chris Webber’s contract as early as today. Webber will become a free agent and give back less than $5 million of the $42 mil he’s owed for his remaining two season.

Which means, basically, the 76ers traded Chris Webber for negative 37 million dollars. Frankly, that’s more than I thought they’d get.

Source: Webber reaches agreement on buyout [Daily News]
Dec. 15: Perhaps This Is Larry Brown’s New Dream Job

Leftovers: Yes Men Look To Ride Borat Wave

• Okay, this one’s a little weird, but let’s do it. On the Wharton website: “A panelist for the Wharton Africa Business Forum misrepresented himself as being affiliated with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Based on that misrepresentation, the individual was invited to speak at the Forum, which was held on November 11, 2006 in Philadelphia. As soon as the conference organizers realized the misrepresentation perpetrated by this individual, the other panelists were immediately informed. Neither the conference organizers nor The Wharton School had or has any association with the individual nor do they endorse the individual’s views.” And you know why? Because of this. Yes, the “Yes Men” — remember them? — managed to sneak in and present a slavery-as-an-economic-model thesis. And nobody stopped them from presenting their thing on slavery. Huzzah. [Jessica Gold Haralson (the last one)]

• Another pay raise for the legislators! Okay, this one’s only a two-percent cost of living increase, but you damn better well bet somebody is going to have a giant pig on the steps of the legislature next time they’re in session! [Inquirer]

• Bob Brady has a blog. Oh, goodie. [Young Philly Politics]

• Chris Webber denied asking for a trade out of Philadelphia. Uhh, Chris? Hey. How about you ask to be traded, okay? It’ll be better for both of us. [Inquirer]

Updated: A bunch of cultural groups are going to try to keep The Gross Clinic in Philadelphia. Huzzah, people. Huzzah. [Art Museum]

Leftovers: Who Woulda Thunk It

• The drought watch is over! I’m sure those along the riverbanks are thrilled. [KYW 1060]

• Apparently, there’s a superhero quizzo at the Franklin Institute tonight. Featuring QuizzoMan, who I am sure will be used as a (grade school joke alert) robot boss in Mega Man later this year. [Johnny Goodtimes]

• New Jersey doesn’t have a budget yet. And the state’s going to shut down all the casinos, beaches, etc., if one doesn’t pass. Jon Corzine bought a cot for his office. No, really. [Inquirer]

• Neither does Pennsylvania. Ed Rendell bought 500 hoagies for his office. Okay, not really. [KYW 1060]

• If you ever wanted to hear Chris Webber quote Old School, your wish has been answered. [Mr. Irrelevant's Sports Blog]

• Headline in the Inquirer: “Why not a gay Superman?” [Inquirer]

Quickies: Rooks are the new black

• The month of incessant Ben Franklin continues: today, we all learn that Ben Franklin published the first book about chess in Russia. And, not only that, but this column mentions Latvia, quizzo and features characters named Sal, Roz and The Master. (Sounds like a plot for Matrix 4.) [Metro]

• Speaking of convicted sexual assaulter Tracy McIntosh, his job in Milan may be in doubt. But his lawyer says it was due to erroneous press reports in Italy that he was a serial rapist. Because, you know, if you only raped once, it’s not a big deal, right? sigh. [Inky]

• The choking game: “There’s no way to win,” sez a police officer. I’m telling you: if they bring back the old school cable boxes that allow you to kind of see the porn channel in scramblevision, kids will stop doing shit like this. [Bucks County Courier Times]

• Hey, people: Everything’s all peachy keen between Webber and A.I., okay? In related news, the Sixers have won three straight. If you want a different answer, talk to Webber after the Sixers fall back below .500. [DN]