Allen Iverson, Dr. J and BIG3 homecomings in Philadelphia

In its first year running, the BIG3 (founded by rapper, actor and entertainer Ice Cube) has found a niche in summer basketball. A 3-on-3 league featuring former NBA players and other once professional basketball players has been touring around the United States. After making stops in Brooklyn, New York, Charlotte, North Carolina and Tulsa, Oklahoma, the fourth week of action took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania over the weekend.

For a city that had most of its basketball hopes tied into the future and what-ifs for so long, this night gave them a chance to remember and recognize two of the greatest players to ever don a Sixers jersey: Julius “Dr. J” Erving and Allen Iverson were back home. With the attendance at Wells Fargo Center just under 12,500 — most of whom were dressed in some type of Erving, Iverson or Sixers apparel — both men were welcomed home like kings.

Iverson and Dr. J found ways to connect with the people of Philly during their careers. Dr. J’s afro and panache were perfect for the mid-70s and Iverson’s cornrows, crossover and grit were all the rage in the late-90s through the 2000s. Those two played the game of basketball in a way that allowed the people of Philadelphia to see themselves on the floor night in and night out.

Fast-forward back to the present, and both have seen their playing days pass them by. Erving is 67-years-old and while the million-dollar smile and charisma might still be present, he’s no longer an aerial display waiting to happen. Iverson, 42, is four years removed from announcing his retirement from the NBA. He was sidelined this week for undisclosed reasons by his doctor.

However, Week 4 was about more than basketball. It was a celebration. A homecoming.

These two greats would be making their return home as coaches. Both men spoke to the amassed crowd prior to the start of the final game. Iverson’s gratitude to the fans and the city was evident. “I’m glad I had a chance to come back home,” he said. “Ain’t nothing like the relationship we have. I love you for supporting me throughout my career and still today, you’re still supporting me.”

That support included the crowd wanting to see their hero back on the court. Three “We want A.I.!” chants broke out during the night’s final game between the Erving-coached Tri-State and the Iverson-coached 3’s Company leading up to halftime. The love for both men didn’t only come from those who paid for tickets, either. 3-Headed Monsters coach Gary Payton came out for his game wearing a Dr. J t-shirt.

This type of event and atmosphere is what the BIG3 needs. Iverson is easily the biggest draw amongst the players in the league, but he will forever be connected to Philadelphia and Sixers basketball. You could tell how much it meant for Iverson to be back inside Wells Fargo Center as well — not just by his words, but by his actions. After being introduced, he did a lap around the court, waving and throwing kisses to the thousands of screaming and applauding fans and onlookers.

For players of Iverson’s and Erving’s ilk, they spent the majority of their life being basketball players. They are used to the chants, the signs — a group from Hong Kong held up a “HONG KONG [HEARTS] A.I.” sign courtside — and the attention that comes with being a superstar. With their professional and NBA careers behind them, the BIG3 gives them the opportunity to experience that world once more for a 10-week stretch during the summer.

Bringing these larger-than-life types of players back to the cities where they made their names and cemented their legacies is always going to make for a great event. This won’t happen again until the playoffs, hosted by KeyArena, in Seattle sees Hall of Famer Gary Payton return back to the former home of the SuperSonics.

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Going forward, Ice Cube and the BIG3 will need to continue to make sure homecomings like this are part of the core of the league. See if Muggsy Bogues is willing to give it a shot if Charlotte is on the list of cities next season. Bring Rafer “Skip to My Lou” Alston out in Brooklyn. Get any former University of Kentucky great to kick the tires in Lexington because nostalgia sells. Sunday night in Philadelphia proved that.

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