They could at least look forward to booing the symbol of everything that has gone wrong with the franchise over the last year and half.
But in this season of transition, fans were denied that pleasure Saturday, when Allen Iverson didn't make the trip with the 76ers to the Palace because of an injured left knee.
The knee was already sore, but he aggravated the injury Friday night in a loss to the Raptors, and the 76ers announced he wouldn't make the trip.
That's little consolation for those who believe last season's trade of Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets for Iverson marked the end of the Pistons' era of Eastern Conference dominance.
But the 76ers, going through their own problems, have had nothing but positive things to say about the 14-year veteran.
"He's been better than we thought," coach Eddie Jordan said. "He's dealing with the knee issue.
"He's very diligent in his rehab and his work. He's been great in the locker room. He's been great on the floor. We just have to monitor his minutes. Allen likes to play a lot of minutes, and he's been great with that also."
The stats seem to show that Iverson has made an effort to fit in, as he is averaging only 14.6 points, but he is shooting a good percentage at 46.6%. He also averages 4.4 assists in 30.9 minutes.
Still, Pistons fans remember how his presence caused chemistry problems on the team.
But coach John Kuester, who coached him when both were in Philly years ago, scoffed at the notion that Iverson avoided returning to Detroit because he was afraid of a few boos.
"Allen Iverson is one of the ultimate competitors," Kuester said. "When you turn the lights on, he's going to go out and play."
NOTEBOOK: Rodney Stuckey (sore right knee) said he would give it go against the Sixers. He said he heard his knee make a popping sound Wednesday night at San Antonio. He missed the fourth quarter in the loss.
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