“A 6 foot guard from Georgetown…”

Come on, tell me you didn’t get goosebumps. Whether you like Allen Iverson, or hate him, you watched Monday night. And if you’re an AI fan, you made sure to set the DVR and get home in time to turn the game on a little before 7 PM to make sure you didn’t miss the starting lineups, which you knew would be televised.

In case you missed it, the video is below.

Yea, the Sixers lost, and A.I.2 ended up stealing the show with a point performance, but it was really special seeing No. 3 back in a Sixers uniform again. True, it’s obvious he’s lost a little on his shot, and still has some work to do before he gets back to the appropriate NBA conditioning level, evidenced by his scoring only 11 points in 37 minutes and missing seven of his 11 shots.

But for someone who was at the Wachovia Center in June of 1996 for the Sixers Draft Party to watch the sophmore guard from Georgetown become the team’s first number one pick since Doug Collins in 1973 (video below), it was special. I was 13 when Iverson was drafted and have spent half of my life rooting for him. He is my player, and rational or not, I am happy that he’s come home.

Is he the answer to the Sixers’ seemingly lost season? Probably not. But he is The Answer to my lack of interest of my favorite sports team growing up.

Welcome back Allen, it’s nice to have you home again.