They say hate isn't really the opposite of love -- apathy is.
And, the apathy Philadelphia fans have shown toward their basketball team is the reason Allen Iverson is back in town.
Hoops haven't been much fun in the City of Brotherly Love this season. The 76ers, who have struggled with Eddie Jordan's system and suffered a number of key injuries, are one of the NBA's worst teams and have been playing before half houses at the Wachovia Center.
Looking for a bit of a jump start and some relevance in a crowded sports market, general manager Ed Stefanski pulled the trigger last week and brought game the enigmatic Iverson, one of the franchise's all-time most popular players.
"The Answer" will be back in lineup tonight as the Sixers host the powerful Denver Nuggets, hoping to put the brakes on an ugly, nine-game losing streak.
Philadelphia's current slide is its longest since a 12-game skid from Nov. 25- Dec. 20, 2006.
Iverson, who spent the first 10-plus seasons of his career with Philadelphia previously announced his retirement only days after being released by Memphis, but the Sixers decided to bring the 10-time All-Star back after starting point guard Lou Williams was sidelined indefinitely with a broken jaw.
Iverson hasn't played with the Sixers since the 2006-07 season, when he demanded a trade and was sent to Denver. He split last season between the Nuggets and Pistons, then signed with Memphis in the offseason.
"He's something to get us going right now," said Sixers forward Elton Brand. "He's a prolific scorer, especially during my era of playing the game. We're going to make it work. We're glad to have him."
Most recently, Philly finished winless on a four-game road trip when Raymond Felton ended with eight assists and 18 points, none bigger than his go-ahead layup with 4.7 seconds left in regulation that helped Charlotte upend the Sixers, 106-105.
Willie Green scored 26 points, while Thaddeus Young chipped in 17 points and 11 rebounds the 76ers. Andre Iguodala added 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists but his potential game-winner as time expired hit all iron.
The Northwest Division-leading Nuggets, meanwhile, turned into a Western Conference power last season when they dealt Iverson to the Motor City for a package that included star point guard Chauncey Billups.
Denver opened up a four-game road trip in positive fashion Saturday when Carmelo Anthony poured in 34 points to lead the Nuggets in a 106-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Billups notched 18 points and five assists and J.R. Smith scored 17 for the Nuggets, who rattled off a third straight win and seventh in the last eight games. Nene had 12 points and Ty Lawson 11 in the win.
"In the second half our defense tuned in," said Nuggets coach George Karl. "I think offensively Carmelo had the good hand all night. We just kept going at them, but I think our defense was the key to the game."
The Nuggets swept the home-and-home series between the two clubs last season and have won in three of their past four visits to Philadelphia.
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